Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Topic started by: Neovereign on December 13, 2017, 08:38:38 PM
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> You are Alice Margatroid, a magician living within the Forest of Magic.
> You've had another dream. That time however, you kept from any confrontations. Maybe you just slept wrong the first night... The dreams are in the back of your mind however, as you had more important things going on.
> Experimentation with the Glamour Mushrooms have shown fantastic results in each and every consumer. In order to increase research and development, you've gained the aid of the Aki sisters. However, even that was put back in favor of spending a day with Hong Meiling in the Human Village after having helped her grow big. You later finished up in a lovely spot near the forest.
> After the day passed, you rested some, being troubled by another dream of Makai, though brief this time. Soon after, you met with Marisa and let your dolls have a go at the Glamour Mushrooms, finding that they were almost capable of speech. With the possibility of the mushrooms effects determined by grace, you set in search of someone graceful, encountering Iku within the Human Village as a result. You broke off from the experiment some to address Hina, whom had a bit of a problem selling her wares, and open up an opportunity for future work.
> Not much knew was realized with Iku's results, and you continued with considerations of another person in mind, heading through to the underworld in search of them. Heading to the Former Capital, you caught Yuugi and began to make progress with the mushroom's records...
> Currently, you are trying to keep still as violent rumblings disturb the underground city around Yuugi's enhanced duel.
>Look upward and determine there's any problems there.
> The debris is definitely coming from much higher than the buildings, but it doesn't look like the entire place is in danger of collapse, at least...
>_
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>We'll see what happens.
>"You two, head back out past the bridge! Come back when everything's settled!"
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>We'll see what happens.
>"You two, head back out past the bridge! Come back when everything's settled!"
> The dolls nod.
> "Don't get hurt." Shanghai calls back as they depart.
> The process repeats it's ending. Some of the Oni take the opportunity to attack at close range.
> Yuugi's spellcard stops, and there's no more rumblings...
> "You all still going?" Yuugi asks.
> "We're not giving in yet."
> "We barely started."
> "What, are you getting tired?" The remainders speak, along with some still catching their breaths.
>_
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>Let them hash it out themselves. If they don't mind the chaos, then there's no reason to bother them about it.
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>Let them hash it out themselves. If they don't mind the chaos, then there's no reason to bother them about it.
> You take no action to stop the duelists.
> "The city doesn't look like it can take much more around here." One of the defeated speak up.
> "Huh?" Yuugi examines the damage.
> "Since it's already like this, why don't we clear out the last of it to make rebuilding easier?"
>_
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>Snrk!
>Try not to laugh.
>Just observe.
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>Snrk!
>Try not to laugh.
>Just observe.
> You stifle a laugh as you watch.
> "I'm gonna make you wish you didn't continue then." Yuugi begins another spellcard.
> "We're not gonna die on you."
> It's... really starting to get hot down here.
>_
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>Heat can be endured! Observe.
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>Heat can be endured! Observe.
> Yuugi begins to release danmaku in a large swirl out from her hand.
> Few opponents float back quickly, while others begin to follow behind the spiral.
> You can endure the heat, but this is getting uncomfortable with the air heating up so much...
>_
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>Discomfort can be dealt with for the time being. Observe further.
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>Discomfort can be dealt with for the time being. Observe further.
> The Oni are starting to get burned from the danmaku Yuugi is producing, though they're still trying to keep up as they attack.
> Yuugi is still under the affects of the mushroom, from the looks of it.
>_
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>Amazing... Didn't Marisa report something like that with Patchouli?
>Continue to watch.
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>Amazing... Didn't Marisa report something like that with Patchouli?
>Continue to watch.
> You don't think she would have lasted this long though...
> Yuugi stops and switches directions. The other nearby Onis clothes are ablaze from the looks of it...
>_
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>Not much we can do about them, we don't have any water and they wouldn't want us to stomp them out.
>Continue watching.
>_
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>Not much we can do about them, we don't have any water and they wouldn't want us to stomp them out.
>Continue watching.
>_
> The oni attempt to continue until the danmaku manages to take them out, leaving their steaming bodies near the wreckage.
> "Huh..." Yuugi looks around in search of anyone still against her...
>_
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>"Looks like you won!"
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>"Looks like you won!"
> "It was terrific. You must give one of those to Suika and let me go against her, Alice." Yuugi descends.
>_
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>"...Only if you can find a mountain valley far far away from everyone else."
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>"...Only if you can find a mountain valley far far away from everyone else."
> "We'd try."
>_
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>"Well, I can't promise it anything soon, but we'll see."
>"Shanghai, Hourai, I believe it's clear now!"
>Back to Yuugi: "How do you feel?"
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>"Well, I can't promise it anything soon, but we'll see."
>"Shanghai, Hourai, I believe it's clear now!"
>Back to Yuugi: "How do you feel?"
> You call for the two.
> "Still energetic!"
>_
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>Nod.
>Does it seem like the mushroom is still going in full force, or does seem like it it is about to fade?
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>Nod.
>Does it seem like the mushroom is still going in full force, or does seem like it it is about to fade?
> The effects from the start have still gone strong. You don't notice anything such as a difference in height.
>_
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>Has she broken the length record by this point?
>"Anything else you'd like to note?"
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>Has she broken the length record by this point?
>"Anything else you'd like to note?"
> Definitely.
> "Maybe~"
>_
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>Mimic her tone, though as a question. "Maybe~?"
>Chuckle.
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>Mimic her tone, though as a question. "Maybe~?"
>Chuckle.
> Yuugi shrugs.
>_
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>"Does the effect feel any stronger or weaker than before?"
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>"Does the effect feel any stronger or weaker than before?"
> "Neither." Yuugi shakes her head.
>_
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>Nod.
>"I was pondering if you were perhaps stoking its power to greater heights, but it seems like it simply aligns well with you."
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>Nod.
>"I was pondering if you were perhaps stoking its power to greater heights, but it seems like it simply aligns well with you."
> "Hehe."
> Yuugi finally begins to flash.
>_
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>"Ah, it seems you're reaching your limit now."
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>"Ah, it seems you're reaching your limit now."
> "I think I could've gone further, but everyone's already done out here..."
>_
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>"I mean, you're about to run out of the mushroom's power, look."
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>"I mean, you're about to run out of the mushroom's power, look."
> "I know." Yuugi says as she returns to normal.
>_
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>"Still, you've set the duration record. I'm impressed."
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>"Still, you've set the duration record. I'm impressed."
> "This was probably worth a few things being broken." Yuugi stretches.
>_
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>Chuckle. "I imagined that you would have no complaints. Do you feel normal now, or is there anything lingering that you'd like to note?"
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>Chuckle. "I imagined that you would have no complaints. Do you feel normal now, or is there anything lingering that you'd like to note?"
> "Nothing interesting. It's over now..."
>_
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>"So even a long-lived case such as yours seems to have left no lingering effects? That's good to know. Thank you for your help, this was most informative."
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>"So even a long-lived case such as yours seems to have left no lingering effects? That's good to know. Thank you for your help, this was most informative."
> "Sure."
>_
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>Make proper valedictions and head out. Let's return to the surface. Along the way, let's check on Shanghai's notes and make sure they aren't missing anything.
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>Make proper valedictions and head out. Let's return to the surface. Along the way, let's check on Shanghai's notes and make sure they aren't missing anything.
> You and Yuugi part ways as you head back towards the surface.
> Not much is down, and she only has Yuugi's time as above the others, not a direct amount.
> The fairies from the trip down here don't seem to bother you again, and you make it back fine.
>_
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>Make sure that shanghai gets what we observed; estimate yuugi's duration, since we don't have an exact time onhand.
>Make our way toward Marisa's while doing this.
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>Make sure that shanghai gets what we observed; estimate yuugi's duration, since we don't have an exact time onhand.
>Make our way toward Marisa's while doing this.
> You continue towards another destination.
> "Did things go alright?" Shanghai asks.
>_
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>"There was some collateral damage, but I'm fine at least. They'll have to do some rebuilding... But they seemed enthusiastic enough about it, so I'm sure it's fine."
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>"There was some collateral damage, but I'm fine at least. They'll have to do some rebuilding... But they seemed enthusiastic enough about it, so I'm sure it's fine."
> "Were there any problems with the studying, or was it under your expectations?"
>_
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>"Well, her danmaku exceeded my expectations, but it shouldn't have, given what we've seen of Marisa."
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>"Well, her danmaku exceeded my expectations, but it shouldn't have, given what we've seen of Marisa."
> "Okay."
> You proceed on towards the Forest of Magic, maneuvering through until you find Marisa's house.
>_
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>Does anything seem to be going on there?
>Regardless, knock on the door and have a seat.
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>Does anything seem to be going on there?
>Regardless, knock on the door and have a seat.
> ...
> Yes, it sounds like she may be in.
> You knock and sit down...
> It takes a bit, but Marisa cracks the door open some.
> "Ah. Hey."
>_
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>"Made any progress? I have some interesting observations, but can't say I've figured out anything yet."
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>"Made any progress? I have some interesting observations, but can't say I've figured out anything yet."
> "I'm trying to. Not there just yet. And what'd you do to that gate guard?"
>_
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>"Just like I said, I helped her figure out how to harness her energy to make herself larger!"
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>"Just like I said, I helped her figure out how to harness her energy to make herself larger!"
> "Uh huh... Well that makes getting Patchouli's help more annoying."
>_
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>"Just tell her I sent you. But what happened?"
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>"Just tell her I sent you. But what happened?"
> "Nothin'."
>_
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>"Did Meiling run you off?"
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>"Did Meiling run you off?"
> "No, she didn't."
>_
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>Chuckle. "Then what's the problem? It sounds like you're up to the challenge."
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>Chuckle. "Then what's the problem? It sounds like you're up to the challenge."
> "I'd rather get through smoothly. Not spend time dealing with her."
>_
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>"I'm sure you'll adapt~"
>"So, I assume Patchouli hasn't had any new insights? Or is she simply not involved with this process?"
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>"I'm sure you'll adapt~"
>"So, I assume Patchouli hasn't had any new insights? Or is she simply not involved with this process?"
> "Not really."
>_
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>Nod.
>"I've found enough mushrooms to run a few more tests, in particular on Iku and Yuugi. I...don't think 'grace' is the determining factor, Yuugi managed to set a record for length, and very nearly for height."
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>Nod.
>"I've found enough mushrooms to run a few more tests, in particular on Iku and Yuugi. I...don't think 'grace' is the determining factor, Yuugi managed to set a record for length, and very nearly for height."
> "Oh? Do tell."
>_
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>"The results for Iku were about mid-range, I think."
>Go over the data that Shanghai collected, we'll see if Marisa puts anything together.
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>"The results for Iku were about mid-range, I think."
>Go over the data that Shanghai collected, we'll see if Marisa puts anything together.
> You rerun through what Shanghai noted.
> "That makes me wonder how Suika would do..." Marisa says.
>_
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>"It's left me pondering a few names myself. Suika, I imagine, would likely be close to Yuugi's level, given how they were fellow devas. I personally find myself wondering about other problem solvers at this point. Your own reaction was surprisingly modest, but I wonder if that would hold true for, say, Youmu or Sanae?"
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>"It's left me pondering a few names myself. Suika, I imagine, would likely be close to Yuugi's level, given how they were fellow devas. I personally find myself wondering about other problem solvers at this point. Your own reaction was surprisingly modest, but I wonder if that would hold true for, say, Youmu or Sanae?"
> "Sanae's another sort of god... The non-appearance changes might be good there. And that's made me really curious about Youmu. How's it work on someone dead..."
>_
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>"Well, for that we would be need to compare her to Yuyuko as well. And I feel either or both could surprise us."
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>"Well, for that we would be need to compare her to Yuyuko as well. And I feel either or both could surprise us."
> Marisa nods.
>_
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>"Supply is an issue, though. We'll have to wait a bit and see if more pop up tomorrow, though."
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>"Supply is an issue, though. We'll have to wait a bit and see if more pop up tomorrow, though."
> "I've still got some. I might throw two for you to see how they change."
>_
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>"I wouldn't say no, but don't short change your own work for it."
>"Oh, any progress on growing the things yourself?"
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>"I wouldn't say no, but don't short change your own work for it."
>"Oh, any progress on growing the things yourself?"
> Marisa shakes her head.
> "What happened to those sisters?"
>_
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>"Do you mean the Aki sisters? I parted ways with them after their mushrooms expired."
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>"Do you mean the Aki sisters? I parted ways with them after their mushrooms expired."
> "Were they gonna help or anything?"
>_
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>"Hmm, I don't recall. I ought to check in, huh?"
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>"Hmm, I don't recall. I ought to check in, huh?"
> "You oughta." Marisa nods.
>_
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>"It'll be my next stop," I say with a nod.
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>"It'll be my next stop," I say with a nod.
> "I hope they can help with it."
>_
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>"Likewise, I'll go check on them now, in fact, since it seems we haven't really concluded much... Good luck on your end!"
>Head for the place we last encountered the Aki sisters around Youkai Mountain.
>How much daylight does it feel like we have left? From that, how long would it take us to reach these places from the forests at the foot of Youkai Mountain: Eientei, The Hakurei Shrine, the Netherworld, and Scarlet Devil Mansion?
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>"Likewise, I'll go check on them now, in fact, since it seems we haven't really concluded much... Good luck on your end!"
>Head for the place we last encountered the Aki sisters around Youkai Mountain.
>How much daylight does it feel like we have left? From that, how long would it take us to reach these places from the forests at the foot of Youkai Mountain: Eientei, The Hakurei Shrine, the Netherworld, and Scarlet Devil Mansion?
> "Yeah."
> You depart for the Youkai Mountain with your dolls following by your side.
> You idly consider as you travel... You still have the day, Though quite a bit was wasted from underground. If you're doing business at each stop, you'll still have time before night descends at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Though, this is considering things go for a bit of time, not as short as a brief discussion and catching up, but not as long as your entire trip to Nitori was.
>_
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>There ought to be time for one, at least...
>Onwards until we reach the forest, then just look around for them where we experimented with the mushrooms.
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>There ought to be time for one, at least...
>Onwards until we reach the forest, then just look around for them where we experimented with the mushrooms.
> You continue, returning to the area, or, what you assume should be it.
> Those two are nowhere to be seen...
>_
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>"Minoriko?"
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>"Minoriko?"
> Your call falls on deaf ears.
>_
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>Let's wander a bit more.
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>Let's wander a bit more.
> You continue through some, hoping for each humanoid figure you spot to be one of the sisters...
> "Alice." Minoriko's voice calls you from below after some time.
>_
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>"Ah, there you are!"
>Crouch down and smile at her. "I hope I'm not intruding?"
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>"Ah, there you are!"
>Crouch down and smile at her. "I hope I'm not intruding?"
> You crouch down to locate Minoriko.
> "Sort of, I think." She speaks.
>_
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>"I'm sorry. Would you prefer I leave?"
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>"I'm sorry. Would you prefer I leave?"
> "No, don't. What'd you come here for anyways?"
>_
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>"I was just wondering about those mushrooms. You had shown some interest in them, so I was wondering if you had managed to cultivate them?"
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>"I was just wondering about those mushrooms. You had shown some interest in them, so I was wondering if you had managed to cultivate them?"
> "I haven't even seen one since you last showed me. Or, done anything with, rather..."
>_
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>"Mmm, that would make it difficult."
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>"Mmm, that would make it difficult."
> "S-Sorry..."
>_
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>"Oh, I meant it would be difficult for you to do anything without a sample. I'll see what I can do, but it may not be until tomorrow that I can find any..."
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>"Oh, I meant it would be difficult for you to do anything without a sample. I'll see what I can do, but it may not be until tomorrow that I can find any..."
> "Oh. Right. Okay. Should I look for you, or will you come stomping by again?"
>_
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>"Which would you prefer? I'm happy to come by again, but if it's a pain for you..."
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>"Which would you prefer? I'm happy to come by again, but if it's a pain for you..."
> "It won't be a pain. Not unless you're calling for me a bunch, but just wandering shouldn't lead eyes towards me."
>_
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>Nod.
>"Alright. What would be the best way to find you, then? Simply wander about at random?"
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>Nod.
>"Alright. What would be the best way to find you, then? Simply wander about at random?"
> "Well, I'll be bound to hear you like this. Me or my sister will, at least."
>_
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>"...How direct. Very well, I'll try not to cause too much ruckus next time."
>How much daylight does it seem like we have left?
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>"...How direct. Very well, I'll try not to cause too much ruckus next time."
>How much daylight does it seem like we have left?
> "Thanks."
> Still plenty.
>_
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>Back to Marisa's! Might as well get some of those mushrooms she has, as a way to get this kicked off.
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>Back to Marisa's! Might as well get some of those mushrooms she has, as a way to get this kicked off.
> You start back.
> "Ah, you're leaving already?"
>_
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>"Ah, well, I was just thinking, if I could get those mushrooms... That was rude, I'm sorry."
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>"Ah, well, I was just thinking, if I could get those mushrooms... That was rude, I'm sorry."
> "At least wave if you're leaving. I thought you still had more to mention."
>_
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>"I suppose the task at hand was occupying my thoughts."
>Bow.
>"Please forgive me."
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>"I suppose the task at hand was occupying my thoughts."
>Bow.
>"Please forgive me."
> "It's not a huge deal."
>_
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>"I may be back soon, we'll see."
>Bow again, and head off to Marisa's.
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>"I may be back soon, we'll see."
>Bow again, and head off to Marisa's.
> You bow again, and Minoriko waves you off.
> You stop at Marisa's home. You still have time to return to Minoriko and at least be on track, but it'll certainly drag on longer than that if you stayed there.
>_
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>Knock again. She definitely knows we're here, but it doesn't hurt to be polite.
>"Hey! I need those mushrooms after all!" But not too polite.
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>Knock again. She definitely knows we're here, but it doesn't hurt to be polite.
>"Hey! I need those mushrooms after all!" But not too polite.
> You knock.
> ...
> Marisa opens the door.
> "How many do you need?"
>_
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>"A pair at least. I can probably do more with two or three pair, though."
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>"A pair at least. I can probably do more with two or three pair, though."
> Marisa closes the door partially, then reopens it a moment later.
> "Here." Three pairs present themselves atop Marisa's hand.
> "How many do you have?" Shanghai asks.
> "Just ten pairs now, including ones I'll be trying stuff with. I've been getting more sorta frequently."
>_
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>"So that's why there's not been that many. I thought you were just being frugal with yesterday's harvest! Thank you."
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>"So that's why there's not been that many. I thought you were just being frugal with yesterday's harvest! Thank you."
> "Don't use them all in one place. Or do if that ends up making something interesting happen."
>_
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>Nod. "Some are going to Minoriko, she wants a sample. The rest...well, we'll see how much daylight I have left. There are a few places they could go..."
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>Nod. "Some are going to Minoriko, she wants a sample. The rest...well, we'll see how much daylight I have left. There are a few places they could go..."
> "Like?"
>_
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>"The people we pondered before. I might get Yuyuko and Youmu, maybe Sakuya if it's late? It remains to be seen."
>After a moment, add, "Want to come along?"
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>"The people we pondered before. I might get Yuyuko and Youmu, maybe Sakuya if it's late? It remains to be seen."
>After a moment, add, "Want to come along?"
> "I'm not missin those two at least. Wait a moment for me." Marisa says.
>_
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>"Sure thing."
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>"Sure thing."
> Marisa retreats back into the house with a nod, leaving you in silence.
>_
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>Give her time to prepare.
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>Give her time to prepare.
> You wait...
> "Alright." Marisa returns. "Let's get goin."
>_
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>"Care to fly along, or shall I carry you?"
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>"Care to fly along, or shall I carry you?"
> "I guess I'll take that offer."
>_
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>Nod, then lift Marisa up and settle her on our shoulder, using that arm to hold her steady. Resist the urge to snicker at 'overpowering' Marisa so easily.
>Back to the Aki's forest! They'll find us soon enough.
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>Nod, then lift Marisa up and settle her on our shoulder, using that arm to hold her steady. Resist the urge to snicker at 'overpowering' Marisa so easily.
>Back to the Aki's forest! They'll find us soon enough.
> You lift Marisa onto your shoulder and return towards the forest near the mountain...
> "So... you didn't get beat up back down there?"
>_
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>"Beat up where? No, not at all."
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>"Beat up where? No, not at all."
> "With the Oni. You held your own then?"
>_
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>"Even better, I didn't fight her at all. But just being near her when she used a spellcard was...dangerous. Enough to take me off my feet, from a distance."
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>"Even better, I didn't fight her at all. But just being near her when she used a spellcard was...dangerous. Enough to take me off my feet, from a distance."
> "Sounds like a wasted opportunity. But I guess I see why."
>_
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>"You always were they bloodthirsty one. But no, she took on a number of oni, and levelled a more than a few buildings in the process."
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>You always were they bloodthirsty one. But no, she took on a number of oni, and levelled a more than a few buildings in the process.
> "Sounds like a good time for them."
> You return to the forest, spotting Minoriko first this time.
>_
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>"Oh, they loved every minute of it, as far as I could see. Ah, there is Minoriko!"
>Approach!
>"I'm sorry for the wait, we have some mushrooms for you."
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>"Oh, they loved every minute of it, as far as I could see. Ah, there is Minoriko!"
>Approach!
>"I'm sorry for the wait, we have some mushrooms for you."
> "Yo." Marisa raises a hand.
> "You brought some? Shouldn't they still be planted to harvest though?"
>_
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>"That would be where your expertise comes in, I think."
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>"That would be where your expertise comes in, I think."
> Minoriko blinks.
> "U-Uh, what were we doing again? Making more or researching them?"
> "Well more's always welcome..." Marisa notes.
>_
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>"It was what we discussed earlier."
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>"It was what we discussed earlier."
> "R-Right. So is this enough for... what I'm doing?"
>_
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>"You said you needed a sample. A pair should be a sufficient sample, right?"
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>"You said you needed a sample. A pair should be a sufficient sample, right?"
> Minoriko nods.
>_
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>Nod as well, and hand them over.
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>Nod as well, and hand them over.
> You lower a mushroom pair to Minoriko.
> "Thanks."
>_
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>"Thank you," I say. "Since mushrooms are kind of unpredictable, I'll check back sometime tomorrow? Maybe get an idea of how quickly we can expect them to come up."
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>"Thank you," I say. "Since mushrooms are kind of unpredictable, I'll check back sometime tomorrow? Maybe get an idea of how quickly we can expect them to come up."
> Minoriko nods.
>_
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>"We'll leave you to it, then. Please give Shizuha my regards, and have a fruitful day."
>Heehee, fruitful!
>Do we think we can get to Hyakugyokurou and back before early evening? If so, let's head out that way.
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>"We'll leave you to it, then. Please give Shizuha my regards, and have a fruitful day."
>Heehee, fruitful!
>Do we think we can get to Hyakugyokurou and back before early evening? If so, let's head out that way.
> "You two, too." Minoriko waves.
> "And she let you get away with it too..." Marisa murmurs.
> You do believe so.
> You start towards Hakugyokurou.
> As usual it's still available for access and nothing's been done about it...
> "You'd think this would be faster with a larger body..." Marisa remarks.
>_
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>"The netherworld is a weird place, I suppose."
>What does the area look like? Let's proceed toward the manor, regardless.
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>"The netherworld is a weird place, I suppose."
>What does the area look like? Let's proceed toward the manor, regardless.
> Marisa nods.
> You're heading up a long staircase. There's a fairy rolling down them towards you. A couple are flying after her. She seems to regret this decision...
> You proceed onwards until you reach the top and approach the manor's front.
>_
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>Poor faerie, we probably could have stopped that...
>Approach the manor. Ideally Youmu will be around somewhere out here.
>What does the manor look like?
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>Poor faerie, we probably could have stopped that...
>Approach the manor. Ideally Youmu will be around somewhere out here.
>What does the manor look like?
> Such a thought hadn't crossed your mind until you reached where you needed to be. The trip felt a bit shorter than normal, so maybe it'll feel better to take your time a bit more next time.
> You can see part of the garden from here. Youmu also seems to busy over there. Only natural lights can be noticed right now. There are a few other 'residents' or visitors, but this place still looks a bit empty, if, even, dead.
>_
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>"Ah, there she is!"
>Approach Youmu. No doubt we'll get her attention quickly, and seeing her reaction will be fun.
-
>"Ah, there she is!"
>Approach Youmu. No doubt we'll get her attention quickly, and seeing her reaction will be fun.
> You approach.
> Still far, and you can't really get much closer without flying or strolling through her progress...
>_
-
>Let's try to step over and around her garden to get as close as we can. If trampling is simply unavoidable, walk along the edge and get as close as we can.
-
>Let's try to step over and around her garden to get as close as we can. If trampling is simply unavoidable, walk along the edge and get as close as we can.
> You proceed carefully towards Youmu.
> She doesn't seem to notice you in her general direction yet... You could just wait for her to get to a higher spot on her current work though...
>_
-
>Let's just get as close as we can. Surely she'll notice the shadow falling over her. And if not, we can kneel down and tap her on the shoulder.
-
>Let's just get as close as we can. Surely she'll notice the shadow falling over her. And if not, we can kneel down and tap her on the shoulder.
> You loom towards Youmu.
> As the gardener's eyes rise to you, her expression shifts, and she jumps back with a brief shriek.
>_
-
>Grin.
>"Hello, Youmu! Busy?"
-
>Grin.
>"Hello, Youmu! Busy?"
> "Y-Yes ma'am. I-I mean, Alice!?" Youmu questions.
> Marisa chuckles along with Hourai.
>_
-
>"Ah, you seem flustered."
-
>"Ah, you seem flustered."
> "How did you get that size?" Youmu throws away her other question.
> "Magic." Marisa says.
>_
-
>"I might have had a growth spurt or three, lately~"
-
>"I might have had a growth spurt or three, lately~"
> "That doesn't seem natural for a growth spurt."
> "It does if it happens thrice, right?"
> "That's still not natural..."
>_
-
>Chuckle. "Well, I might have had a hand in causing them~ You're not jealous, are you?"
-
>Chuckle. "Well, I might have had a hand in causing them~ You're not jealous, are you?"
> "No." Youmu denies.
>_
-
>"I mean, I might be able to help you too, once we're done here."
>"But let's get down to business first, might we speak with you and Miss Yuyuko about a mutually beneficial exchange?"
-
>"I mean, I might be able to help you too, once we're done here."
>"But let's get down to business first, might we speak with you and Miss Yuyuko about a mutually beneficial exchange?"
> "...What do you mean?"
>_
-
>"It would be easiest to explain to both of you at the same time. Could we meet with her to do that?"
-
>"It would be easiest to explain to both of you at the same time. Could we meet with her to do that?"
> "...I'll see." Youmu turns.
>_
-
>"Alright. If Miss Yuyuko has questions, just tell her it'll be a lot of fun, and we'll explain more."
-
>"Alright. If Miss Yuyuko has questions, just tell her it'll be a lot of fun, and we'll explain more."
> Youmu nods, leaving her work to head into the manor.
>_
-
>Quietly. "I think she's jealous."
-
>Quietly. "I think she's jealous."
> "She seemed pretty interested in the offer♪" Marisa replies.
>_
-
>"Might have to delay a trip back, then~"
>Wait for Youmu to come back.
-
>"Might have to delay a trip back, then~"
>Wait for Youmu to come back.
> You wait.
> The gardener reappears with her master.
> "Oho, you've grown~" Yuyuko speaks as she floats alongside Youmu's phantom half.
>_
-
>"A little! Thank you for coming to see us."
>Gingerly make our way from the garden proper and into a place designed for people to stand.
-
>"A little! Thank you for coming to see us."
>Gingerly make our way from the garden proper and into a place designed for people to stand.
> You return to the front, followed by the two.
> "So what do I owe Marisa and..."
> "So what do I owe this visit to?" Yuyuko rephrases.
>_
-
>"We've been conducting some experiments in hopes of furthering magical knowledge, and we would like the two of you to participate and help us. It will be a fun experience for you both. Forgive me if I don't go into details, I don't want to sway the possible results. As well, wouldn't you agree that fun surprises are the best?"
-
>"We've been conducting some experiments in hopes of furthering magical knowledge, and we would like the two of you to participate and help us. It will be a fun experience for you both. Forgive me if I don't go into details, I don't want to sway the possible results. As well, wouldn't you agree that fun surprises are the best?"
> Yuyuko nods, while Youmu does the opposite.
>_
-
>"It's entirely a good thing, I assure you. All we need you to do is eat a couple mushrooms and let us record the results."
-
>"It's entirely a good thing, I assure you. All we need you to do is eat a couple mushrooms and let us record the results."
> "Mushrooms..." Youmu asks.
> "Sure~" Yuyuko agrees, gesturing to be fed.
>_
-
>"Mushrooms, just two of them."
>Produce a pair for Yuyuko, but give Youmu a moment to change her mind before handing them over.
-
>"Mushrooms, just two of them."
>Produce a pair for Yuyuko, but give Youmu a moment to change her mind before handing them over.
> You produce a pair.
> "And I'm guessing they'll make us like you?" Youmu asks.
>_
-
>"Not quite, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."
-
>"Not quite, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."
> "Will we now..."
>_
-
>"It's fine if you don't go first, of course."
>Give Yuyuko her mushrooms.
-
>"It's fine if you don't go first, of course."
>Give Yuyuko her mushrooms.
> You hold the mushrooms near Yuyuko.
> "Aaah~" Yuyuko waits.
>_
-
>Chuckle and feed them to her.
-
>Chuckle and feed them to her.
> You feed the ghost the mushrooms.
> "Thank you." Yuyuko floats back a bit, before starting to flash.
> "H-Huh!?" Youmu steps back. "What did you do to those!?"
>_
-
>"Nothing at all."
>Observe!
-
>"Nothing at all."
>Observe!
> You watch.
> The flashing ceases as the mushroom's affects take place once again.
> Yuyuko's figure grows taller and more enhanced, as expected. They don't surpass any of the highest records however.
> Her wavy hair has lengthened, but it's still only partway down her body.
> There's a looming sensation over you, making you feel as if you're close to death. You're certain that one false move will undoubtedly spell your end. Despite this, you feel at ease.
> As such, your examination ceases for the moment...
>_
-
>How...curious. This is really it? Well...it was a good run, wasn't it? We pushed the boundaries of magic, we found a possible love... We lived well.
>No! Now is not the time!
>Is it?
>No!
>Well, it's not a bad time, is it?
>Frown a little, trying to sort this out.
-
>How...curious. This is really it? Well...it was a good run, wasn't it? We pushed the boundaries of magic, we found a possible love... We lived well.
>No! Now is not the time!
>Is it?
>No!
>Well, it's not a bad time, is it?
>Frown a little, trying to sort this out.
> Hourai seems to sometimes act as if your passing would be beneficial, but she seems to already be making up her mind in a last act as you think...
> Ah. You can't give out here. You've got to check how Meiling's doing. You may be content with another night, but now is unacceptable. Not when she's doing her best. Not when she's expecting you...
> Perhaps you could send Shanghai back to break the news that you can't make it though. Maybe she'll keep waiting for you regardless. The feeling warms you a bit...
> "Get to the usual questions, Alice." Marisa speaks. "We've got places to go after this..."
> "Those might do better alongside a meal... Where did you find them?" Yuyuko asks.
>_
-
>"Ah! How do you feel, Miss Yuyuko?"
-
>"Ah! How do you feel, Miss Yuyuko?"
> "A bit off. Still hungry as well."
>_
-
>"Have a look at yourself, please."
-
>"Have a look at yourself, please."
> Yuyuko examines herself.
> "Hmm?"
>_
-
>Just how large did she become? And how "large", now that we're examining and our head is cleared a tad.
>"I'm sure you notice the difference. How do you feel?"
-
>Just how large did she become? And how "large", now that we're examining and our head is cleared a tad.
>"I'm sure you notice the difference. How do you feel?"
> Above regular size of someone changed by the mushrooms. Or that may be her floating... You aren't really sure where her dress ends and where her feet are, actually.
> "You had just asked. Hungry."
>_
-
>"Nothing else? No sense of power or enjoyment or the like?"
>Try to guess her size from what we can see, things like the length of her arms, the size of her head, and so on.
-
>"Nothing else? No sense of power or enjoyment or the like?"
>Try to guess her size from what we can see, things like the length of her arms, the size of her head, and so on.
> She's taller than Marisa's, so-
> Your heart skips a beat.
> And another.
> It feels as if it stops completely. Your surroundings are dull and quiet...
> ...
> Then it's thumping returns grandly, along with your vision and hearing.
> "-And I feel like I could eat a lot more too." Yuyuko smiles.
> Shanghai seems to be noting very carefully and slowly.
>_
-
>"...I'm sorry, come again?"
>Glance to Marisa, does she seem at all dismayed?
-
>"...I'm sorry, come again?"
>Glance to Marisa, does she seem at all dismayed?
> "I said my power does seem to have increased, but I can't know for sure."
> She does, somewhat.
> There's a slight *thud*.
>_
-
>Glance toward the thud. Keep a solid hold on Marisa!
-
>Glance toward the thud. Keep a solid hold on Marisa!
> You glance.
> The gardener's down...
>_
-
>"Marisa could you check on her?"
>Assuming she agrees, set Marisa down so she can do so.
-
>"Marisa could you check on her?"
>Assuming she agrees, set Marisa down so she can do so.
> "Check on- Ah." Yuyuko notices. "I didn't mean I was that hungry Youmu. I can wait until the next meal."
> "Not gonna feel too good gettin close to her..." Marisa says.
>_
-
>"Could you step back a few yards, Yuyuko?"
-
>"Could you step back a few yards, Yuyuko?"
> "Why?"
>_
-
>"Because frankly you're putting the fear of literal death into us, and it might be more than just a fear..."
-
>"Because frankly you're putting the fear of literal death into us, and it might be more than just a fear..."
> "Oh? I see..." Yuyuko floats away ominously.
>_
-
>Set Marisa down.
-
>Set Marisa down.
> You set Marisa down and she checks on Youmu.
> "It looks like she only fainted."
>_
-
>"Ah, good."
>"Now, as you were saying, Miss Yuyuko?"
-
>"Ah, good."
>"Now, as you were saying, Miss Yuyuko?"
> "That and this does feel very pleasant and relaxing."
>_
-
>"I can imagine. Do you feel any stronger?"
-
>"I can imagine. Do you feel any stronger?"
> "I can't tell any difference just like this."
>_
-
>"Hmm. Try to send some danmaku into the sky, away from us?"
>"Think that you can revive her, Marisa?"
-
>"Hmm. Try to send some danmaku into the sky, away from us?"
>"Think that you can revive her, Marisa?"
> "Danmaku in that way wouldn't be a display of power." Yuyuko says.
> "We could probably try feeding her a pair."
>_
-
>Did we not feed her both at the same time?
>If so, give her the other.
-
>Did we not feed her both at the same time?
>If so, give her the other.
> You only fed Yuyuko a pair.
> Do you mean to give a pair to Youmu? And how will you do so?
>_
-
>"I don't think we should do that. We'd rather her be awake for it. Um, maybe splash her with a little water?"
-
>"I don't think we should do that. We'd rather her be awake for it. Um, maybe splash her with a little water?"
> Marisa looks around.
> "I don't have any on me. Unless you want a mixture that'll blow her up."
>_
-
>"Surely there is a watering can or something..."
>Look around, a garden ought to have a water source or basin of some kind. Ir a fountain, perhaps?
-
>"Surely there is a watering can or something..."
>Look around, a garden ought to have a water source or basin of some kind. Ir a fountain, perhaps?
> You believe you can see something that would be of use nearby.
> Marisa's already on it...
>_
-
>"Anyways, how about a spellcard, then? I have seen some displays come from those."
-
>"Anyways, how about a spellcard, then? I have seen some displays come from those."
> "How far away would I have to be to not make one of you faint in that case?"
>_
-
>"...Best give it some distance, I think."
>_
-
>"...Best give it some distance, I think."
>_
> "You're still unsure..."
>_
-
>"All I have is prior experience. Let's try opposite ends of the courtyard, shall we?"
-
>"All I have is prior experience. Let's try opposite ends of the courtyard, shall we?"
> "This sounds like quite a bit of work just for the benefits Youmu mentioned. But all I have to take from this is looking and feeling like this, while also having to endure this greater hunger..." Yuyuko looks to her side, in an attempt to coax you.
>_
-
>"I don't think more mushrooms would have any greater effect. Don't worry, I'm sure Youmu will fetch you something once she wakes up."
-
>"I don't think more mushrooms would have any greater effect. Don't worry, I'm sure Youmu will fetch you something once she wakes up."
> "That's Youmu doing something, not you."
>_
-
>"I'm a lousy cook, you don't want me to get anything. But I'll tell you what, once we're done here I'll fetch you something."
-
>"I'm a lousy cook, you don't want me to get anything. But I'll tell you what, once we're done here I'll fetch you something."
> "What's something?" Yuyuko considers.
>_
-
>"I have no idea what your kitchens look like."
-
>"I have no idea what your kitchens look like."
> "So it's still coming out of our pockets?"
>_
-
>"If you want food, it is. I'm broke."
-
>"If you want food, it is. I'm broke."
> "You offered mutual benefit without being able to support it?"
> Marisa returns with a bucket, dousing Youmu in a tiny waterfall to wake her up.
>_
-
>"No, I offered to go get you something to eat once this is done."
-
>"No, I offered to go get you something to eat once this is done."
> "Mm... Let's start over. What do you want from me and Youmu from this mushroom business, and what exactly will we get in return if we comply?"
>
-
>"It's too late to start over, you've already had them! You don't get to take a service, then say "Okay let's talk about if I'll pay for it or not"!"
-
>"It's too late to start over, you've already had them! You don't get to take a service, then say "Okay let's talk about if I'll pay for it or not"!"
> "I feel no need to satisfy your curiosity with these mushrooms if our reward is something negative to us."
>_
-
>"You already accepted them, though. And you getting something to eat is not a negative."
-
>"You already accepted them, though. And you getting something to eat is not a negative."
> "On the terms of mutual benefit. So far, the most I've felt has shown to be feeling famished. Having my own food prepared by a lousy cook rather than Youmu is supposed to be positive, then? If not, then what is?"
>_
-
>"The positive is not having to get it yourself. Furthermore, you've already been fed so you are already in our debt. If you want more, you're going to have to pay that off; those mushrooms are quite rare!"
-
>"The positive is not having to get it yourself. Furthermore, you've already been fed so you are already in our debt. If you want more, you're going to have to pay that off; those mushrooms are quite rare!"
> "Hey, don't say our now. This doesn't look too promising." Marisa speaks.
> "I'd rather not have more of those hunger-inducing mushrooms, thank you."
>_
-
>"No, that's fine. Just compensate us for the one you took by aiding our researching."
-
>"No, that's fine. Just compensate us for the one you took by aiding our researching."
> "I've already told you some. And I don't believe I could do a spell card and endure this hunger."
>_
-
>Does this actually seem uncharacteristic for Yuyuko, from our experiences during the summer party incident and the scarlet weather incident? Or is she being typically characteristic?
-
>Does this actually seem uncharacteristic for Yuyuko, from our experiences during the summer party incident and the scarlet weather incident? Or is she being typically characteristic?
> She seems on par. Still a bit uncooperative. She may be complaining more about food here...
>_
-
>"Surely you're stronger than a little twinge of the stomach. I can't imagine Youmu would serve anyone less."
-
>"Surely you're stronger than a little twinge of the stomach. I can't imagine Youmu would serve anyone less."
> Yuyuko lets out a shot of butterfly danmaku. It slowly flaps in your direction.
>_
-
>Move away from it.
>"Did anything feel unusual?"
-
>Move away from it.
>"Did anything feel unusual?"
> You gaze as the pink butterfly continues. You ponder how much damage it would do to one, grazing or directly...
>_
-
>"Want to try to graze it, Marisa?"
-
>"Want to try to graze it, Marisa?"
> Your eyes follow the butterfly as you speak, while your body seems to float away from it's path, finally.
> "You're more durable. How about you take the hit?" Marisa speaks.
>_
-
>"You're about a thousand times better at grazing, though..."
>It is just one danmaku, though...
-
>"You're about a thousand times better at grazing, though..."
>It is just one danmaku, though...
> "Al right... I'm not sharing how it feels with you for the research though, since it was intended for you." Marisa starts towards the butterfly.
>_
-
>"No need to be stingy. Besides, it's not like grazing hurts. It's just showing off."
-
>"No need to be stingy. Besides, it's not like grazing hurts. It's just showing off."
> "Yea yea..." Marisa flies back on her broom, before gliding toward the butterfly side.
> She seemingly brushes past it, then continues on for a moment before limply falling from her broom onto the ground.
> The broom falls near her.
>_
-
>Try to catch her!
-
>Try to catch her!
> You try, however, the witch is already down by the time you notice.
>_
-
>"Hells!"
>Get to her side, check her for injuries.
-
>"Hells!"
>Get to her side, check her for injuries.
> You head to Marisa.
> There doesn't seem to be anything physical, though she is pale on closer inspection.
> Her heart's out...
> No, it's beating again. Her complexion's getting normal too. It's not instant though.
>_
-
>"Can you hear me? Does it hurt?"
-
>"Can you hear me? Does it hurt?"
> Marisa jolts up a bit. trying to catch a breath.
>_
-
>"It's okay, I'm here, you're still intact."
>Prop her up ifit seems like she needs it.
-
>"It's okay, I'm here, you're still intact."
>Prop her up ifit seems like she needs it.
> You help Marisa up.
> She holds her side in confusion.
> "W-What?"
>_
-
>"You collapsed and fell."
-
>"You collapsed and fell."
> "I thought I grazed it, but it hit me full on. Felt like I was gonna die. Like I did die, even."
>_
-
>We won't comment on that, best not to worry her.
>"You should be alright now. Here, let me carry you."
>Assuming she doesn't protest, pick her up.
-
>We won't comment on that, best not to worry her.
>"You should be alright now. Here, let me carry you."
>Assuming she doesn't protest, pick her up.
> You pick Marisa up.
> Marisa breathes out...
>_
-
>Just hold her gently for now. Better in our arms than the ground.
>"I'm impressed, Yuyuko."
-
>Just hold her gently for now. Better in our arms than the ground.
>"I'm impressed, Yuyuko."
> Yuyuko seems to be in a daze.
>_
-
>"Ah, Yuyuko?"
-
>"Ah, Yuyuko?"
> "I need to eat somethiiiiing."
>_
-
>"Well, why don't you head directly toward the kitchen?"
-
>"Well, why don't you head directly toward the kitchen?"
> The ghost collapses, Youmu barely catching her.
>_
-
>"Does she...do that often?"
-
>"Does she...do that often?"
> Youmu shakes her head.
> "She'd call me or act sluggishly, but not outright collapse. Please forgive me for not making something earlier Yuyuko-sama."
>_
-
>Try to take Yuyuko off of Youmu, we can handle the weight of two people.
>"This hasn't happened before."
-
>Try to take Yuyuko off of Youmu, we can handle the weight of two people.
>"This hasn't happened before."
> You take Yuyuko off.
> "H-Hey." Youmu objects.
>_
-
>"I thought she might be too much for you in her current state?"
-
>"I thought she might be too much for you in her current state?"
> "Please don't do too much to her. I'll go prepare a meal."
>_
-
>"I won't do anything."
>Settle in to wait
>...Maybe compare her size to Marisa's now that we have them both...
-
>"I won't do anything."
>Settle in to wait
>...Maybe compare her size to Marisa's now that we have them both...
> Youmu departs...
> You compare the two.
> Marisa's much shorter. You don't even need them to be close to see that. She's smaller in those areas too, still.
>_
-
>Try to work out a proper numerical comparisons while we wait.
>"Does it still hurt, Marisa?"
-
>Try to work out a proper numerical comparisons while we wait.
>"Does it still hurt, Marisa?"
> "Ugh..." Marisa gives you an unsure answer.
> The ghost princess falls from your hand as you lose feeling in it.
>_
-
>Try to let her down gently rather than dropping her. "Ack!"
-
>Try to let her down gently rather than dropping her. "Ack!"
> You lean over to keep her on your hand, somewhat, as you get closer to the ground.
> You manage to make her fall mostly gentle...
>_
-
>Make she she settle son the ground in a decent position, and then try to flex our hand, as if it were just normally numb.
-
>Make she she settle son the ground in a decent position, and then try to flex our hand, as if it were just normally numb.
> You ensure Yuyuko's fine, then check on your hand.
> Nothing past the wrist reacts...
>_
-
>Just work our wrist for the time being. "Should have put her down sooner..."
-
>Just work our wrist for the time being. "Should have put her down sooner..."
> "What did you expect..."
>_
-
>"Would you believe that I hadn't thought that far ahead?"
>"Still, definitely one of our more dramatic results."
-
>"Would you believe that I hadn't thought that far ahead?"
>"Still, definitely one of our more dramatic results."
> "And you've had the least to worry about..."
>_
-
>"I didn't think grazing would be that bad for you!"
-
>"I didn't think grazing would be that bad for you!"
> Hourai speaks. "She's only human."
>_
-
>"Well, yes, obviously, but grazing is normally harmless."
-
>"Well, yes, obviously, but grazing is normally harmless."
> "So is standing near someone, but it wasn't in this case, was it? But surely danmaku couldn't have changed much. It's not like that Oni's were any different." Hourai speaks.
> Shanghai keeps quiet when she would normally interject against this...
>_
-
>"That is a good point. I wonder if the two things are directly related?"
-
>"That is a good point. I wonder if the two things are directly related?"
> "Shut up." Hourai responds.
>_
-
>"I think you misunderstood me. I and wondering if being near Yuyuko ad being near her danmaku are directly related or two different things with a similar cause."
-
>"I think you misunderstood me. I and wondering if being near Yuyuko ad being near her danmaku are directly related or two different things with a similar cause."
> Hourai doesn't respond to you...
>_
-
>Better sulking than truculent.
>Let's make sure we aren't too close to Yuyuko while we wait on Youmu to return.
-
>Better sulking than truculent.
>Let's make sure we aren't too close to Yuyuko while we wait on Youmu to return.
> You wait...
> Yuyuko gently floats up, proceeding into the building. The mushroom's effects seems to have ceased sometime earlier...
>_
-
>"Well, she seems better. Want to check on her, Marisa?"
-
>"Well, she seems better. Want to check on her, Marisa?"
> "Sure, I didn't die completely last time..."
>_
-
>"I won't twist your arm, and please run away if you think there's going to be a problem."
-
>"I won't twist your arm, and please run away if you think there's going to be a problem."
> "At least give me a longer break."
>_
-
>"Well, take all the break you need."
-
>"Well, take all the break you need."
> "I will."
>_
-
>Does our hand feel any better yet?
-
>Does our hand feel any better yet?
> Yes. It's mostly alright now.
>_
-
>Flex our fingers a bit to work them.
>"At least it's all been temporary..."
-
>Flex our fingers a bit to work them.
>"At least it's all been temporary..."
> No one responds to your remark.
>_
-
>Nothing for it but to wait for either Youmu to come to us, or Marisa to go to them and then come back.
-
>Nothing for it but to wait for either Youmu to come to us, or Marisa to go to them and then come back.
> ...
> ...
> Marisa grunts as she grounds herself.
> "Thanks."
>_
-
>"I just wish I could have caught you."
-
>"I just wish I could have caught you."
> "I'll go check on them..."
> "A-Are we staying?" Shanghai asks.
>_
-
>Nod.
>"Thanks, Marisa."
>Look to Shanghai. "We are. I will need to apologize to Youmu, and follow up on my offer if she is interested."
-
>Nod.
>"Thanks, Marisa."
>Look to Shanghai. "We are. I will need to apologize to Youmu, and follow up on my offer if she is interested."
> Marisa departs inside.
> Shanghai nods acceptingly...
>_
-
>Nothing for it but to wait.
>allow the dolls to enjoy the garden in the meantime.
-
>Nothing for it but to wait.
>allow the dolls to enjoy the garden in the meantime.
> You let your dolls enjoy the garden, however, they both refuse.
> And so, you wait...
> Though this isn't helping towards your next planned trips much...
>_
-
>Nothing for it.
-
>Nothing for it.
> "Youmu's preparing a lot." Marisa steps out. "And Yuyuko's eating more than what's being brought. She said she'd be fine trying the mushroom if it didn't interrupt food, though."
>_
-
>"I don't think that it would... But do you think I can even get into there? Or is there a window I could watch through? Maybe some door panels that would be easy to remove?"
-
>"I don't think that it would... But do you think I can even get into there? Or is there a window I could watch through? Maybe some door panels that would be easy to remove?"
> "Probably not..."
>_
-
>"Mmm. Maybe if I just took out a paper panel or three, and put it back when I was done... They're by at least one outer wall, I hope?"
-
>"Mmm. Maybe if I just took out a paper panel or three, and put it back when I was done... They're by at least one outer wall, I hope?"
> "I think the garden is close enough... Or it was another section. Either way, yea."
>_
-
>"Alright. Go and warn them for me?"
>Let's seek out a proper spot. Ideally, we can hear some kitchen or dining activity to help us find it.
-
>"Alright. Go and warn them for me?"
>Let's seek out a proper spot. Ideally, we can hear some kitchen or dining activity to help us find it.
> Marisa departs from you again.
> You stroll around the building with your dolls, hoping to find the spot...
> You hear them after a bit, and can spot a fine place to view, if a bit far from them.
>_
-
>That should do. Let's gently remove some panels and set them aside where we won't damage them. They've had time to complain if they wanted to.
-
>That should do. Let's gently remove some panels and set them aside where we won't damage them. They've had time to complain if they wanted to.
> You remove some obstruction as Marisa joins the two.
>_
-
>Lay down on our stomach so we can observe, take care not to disrupt the garden, and take stock of the scene inside.
>"Pardon me. Is Miss Yuyuko doing better now?"
-
>Lay down on our stomach so we can observe, take care not to disrupt the garden, and take stock of the scene inside.
>"Pardon me. Is Miss Yuyuko doing better now?"
> You lie down carefully.
> "Yes, sort of." Youmu replies, not taking the time to look your way.
> There's a large amount of dishes near Yuyuko, most cleaned completely. There's just one or two with food near Yuyuko as she feasts with a current dish.
> Youmu is trying her best to keep the supply up for Yuyuko's demand, while Marisa is sitting a bit far from Yuyuko, examining you.
>_
-
>"If you would like to try these mushrooms now, they may help you keep up? I can't promise that they would, but it seems likely given the results we've seen so far."
-
>"If you would like to try these mushrooms now, they may help you keep up? I can't promise that they would, but it seems likely given the results we've seen so far."
> "I'm not sure I can take that risk right now." Youmu replies.
> "There's been a 100% success rate on people getting things increased from the mushrooms." Marisa states. "In Yuyuko's case, it was just an increase in hunger, along with the others. You probably won't be any less faster, at the worst."
> "Okay."
>_
-
>Well, she wasn't hard to convince~ Maybe she will be interested in those lessons.
>Produce and offer her the last pair of mushrooms.
-
>Well, she wasn't hard to convince~ Maybe she will be interested in those lessons.
>Produce and offer her the last pair of mushrooms.
> You hold the pair out, and Marisa carries it off towards Youmu, whom takes a bit to eat it before resuming.
> The half ghost and begins to flash.
>_
-
>Observe! Settle in and get comfortable.
-
>Observe! Settle in and get comfortable.
> You watch as the mushroom's changes take effect on Youmu.
> There's the usual long hair... It's past her waist, while the front/sides almost reaches her neck.
> Her areas have increased, as expected. They're close to Marisa's levels.
> She's much taller than she was before, now possibly passing Yuyuko.
> Her half ghost, currently returning to her body to get more food, resembles her quite well. More than a silhouette and it's distinctively recognizable as her...
>_
-
>"Impressive! How do you feel?"
>Do her swords look about the same, or is she not carrying them?
>Use the ceiling height to get a good guess at how tall she is
-
>"Impressive! How do you feel?"
>Do her swords look about the same, or is she not carrying them?
>Use the ceiling height to get a good guess at how tall she is
> You'd guess... 2 meters.
> Her swords aren't with her at the moment.
> "Like I could probably keep up with this..." Youmu resumes.
>_
-
>A fairly weak reaction, how unusual for her given what she's capable of!
>"What has changed to let you keep up?"
-
>A fairly weak reaction, how unusual for her given what she's capable of!
>"What has changed to let you keep up?"
> "I'm concentrating on something else at the moment. Sorry." Youmu continues.
> "Guess we're waiting til she's satisfied then?" Marisa speaks.
>_
-
>Nod. "I excepted something like that."
>Settle in to wait. There will certainly be things to be learned from observing Youmu.
-
>Nod. "I excepted something like that."
>Settle in to wait. There will certainly be things to be learned from observing Youmu.
> You watch...
> Youmu seems to be doing better than before. Her work isn't perfect, but at her speed, it's quite well.
> The phantom half is carrying them over at a fair pace. They're a bit ahead of Yuyuko.
>_
-
>"She really has gotten good at being two places at once, hasn't she?"
-
>"She really has gotten good at being two places at once, hasn't she?"
> Marisa shrugs.
> "Better than before, I guess."
>_
-
>"I certainly haven't seen her make that kind of use of her other half outside of brief moments."
-
>"I certainly haven't seen her make that kind of use of her other half outside of brief moments."
> "We don't get to watch her a lot, do we?"
>_
-
>"Mmm, true. I suppose outside those couple of incidents, I haven't seen much."
>Let's see if she can actually satisfy Yuyuko.
-
>"Mmm, true. I suppose outside those couple of incidents, I haven't seen much."
>Let's see if she can actually satisfy Yuyuko.
> You continue watching...
> "I feel lighter, I suppose..." Youmu stops, as there are a few dishes Yuyuko still has yet to get to.
>_
-
>"Lighter, even though you're clearly a bit larger? Curious."
-
>"Lighter, even though you're clearly a bit larger? Curious."
> "Yes." Youmu nods. "Faster, at least with this, too."
>_
-
>"Interesting. Do you feel anything else?"
-
>"Interesting. Do you feel anything else?"
> "I don't feel as tired as earlier..."
>_
-
>"I'm glad to hear that. Hmm, do your thoughts feel any less clouded?"
-
>"I'm glad to hear that. Hmm, do your thoughts feel any less clouded?"
> "I could agree about that..."
>_
-
>"Hmm. Do you feel any more dexterous, or precise in your movements?"
-
>"Hmm. Do you feel any more dexterous, or precise in your movements?"
> "I can't tell if it's more than normal well like this. I feel more confident about it though."
>_
-
>Smile.
>"A shame you don't have your weapons, I would be curious to see how it affects your sword skills."
-
>Smile.
>"A shame you don't have your weapons, I would be curious to see how it affects your sword skills."
> "Your dolls have weapons, don't they?" Marisa asks.
> "They're doll sized..." Hourai speaks.
> "I knew that..."
>_
-
>"That wouldn't be a problem, actually..."
>Conjure up a sword-wielding doll, take her weapon, and then concentrate on enlarging it enough for Youmu to use. Afterward, offer the weapon to Youmu.
-
>"That wouldn't be a problem, actually..."
>Conjure up a sword-wielding doll, take her weapon, and then concentrate on enlarging it enough for Youmu to use. Afterward, offer the weapon to Youmu.
> You call forth a sword doll and have her give you her weapon.
> You enlarge the sword, then hold it out.
> Marisa once again starts to transport it from you to her.
> "Mmm..." Yuyuko finishes her current meal as she slows greatly, leaving one more remaining.
>_
-
>"Once you have time, of course."
-
>"Once you have time, of course."
> "It looks like I will actually." Youmu speaks as she starts to finish up.
>_
-
>"Good, good. We'll let you finish up, then."
-
>"Good, good. We'll let you finish up, then."
> Marisa nods.
> Yuyuko resumes on the next...
>_
-
>Nothing for it but to let her finish.
-
>Nothing for it but to let her finish.
> You wait for Youmu to stop and take the sword.
> Yuyuko continues.
> "Out there, or in here?" Youmu asks.
>_
-
>"Out here would probably be best, less likely to disturb Miss Yuyuko."
-
>"Out here would probably be best, less likely to disturb Miss Yuyuko."
> Youmu nods and heads towards you, followed by her phantom half and Marisa.
>_
-
>Sit up and move to let her and Marisa out.
-
>Sit up and move to let her and Marisa out.
> You sit up and allow the two to get through.
> "So, what should I try it on?"
>_
-
>"If you need a target, I'm sure something out here will suffice? But perhaps it would be best to demonstrate without one, and we shall consider the pure motions themselves?"
-
>"If you need a target, I'm sure something out here will suffice? But perhaps it would be best to demonstrate without one, and we shall consider the pure motions themselves?"
> "I don't want to look like a fool."
> "You won't. A few people have been asked to do something against absolutely nothing." Hourai says.
> "Did they look like fools?" Marisa asks.
> "Definitely. Yuugi actually got to show well, so she didn't."
> "I see."
> "What is she saying?" Youmu questions.
>_
-
>What is she saying, that they'll look foolish or not? She's claimed both.
-
>What is she saying, that they'll look foolish or not? She's claimed both.
> Her first is claiming that Youmu won't. However, her second claims that the others, minus one, did. She may be complimenting Youmu in that she won't be like the others, or the first might have just been sarcastic...
>_
-
>"Hourai has every confidence in you, Youmu."
-
>"Hourai has every confidence in you, Youmu."
> "Thanks." Youmu nods, examining the sword.
>_
-
>"Hopefully that meets your standards well enough?"
-
>"Hopefully that meets your standards well enough?"
> "It'll do."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"When you're ready, then."
-
>Nod.
>"When you're ready, then."
> Youmu complies, giving a short display of basic sword movements, before the mushroom wears off through it's expected duration.
> "Huh?" Youmu questions.
>_
-
>"Hm. I expected a longer result, but I suppose time just seemed to fly while you were cooking."
-
>"Hm. I expected a longer result, but I suppose time just seemed to fly while you were cooking."
> "I didn't get to go into much..."
>_
-
>Dismiss the sword doll with a thank you. Presumably this will dismiss her sword, too.
>"Well, the offer I made is still valid, if you really want to tip the scales, so to speak."
-
>Dismiss the sword doll with a thank you. Presumably this will dismiss her sword, too.
>"Well, the offer I made is still valid, if you really want to tip the scales, so to speak."
> You dismiss the doll.
> "Huh?"
>_
-
>"Like I said before, I might be able to show you the secret of being really large, if you're interested."
-
>"Like I said before, I might be able to show you the secret of being really large, if you're interested."
> "Ah... No thank you."
>_
-
>Does she seem serious, or is she demurring for the sake of appearances or uncertainty?
-
>Does she seem serious, or is she demurring for the sake of appearances or uncertainty?
> Serious.
>_
-
>What a curious shift from before.
>Stand up, so that we loom over her for a moment. Be nonchalant about it, so it seems like it just happened that way.
>"Well, if you change your mind, I'm sure you remember where my cottage is. If I'm not home, a letter will do."
>"That said, I think it is time for us to go, Marisa."
-
>What a curious shift from before.
>Stand up, so that we loom over her for a moment. Be nonchalant about it, so it seems like it just happened that way.
>"Well, if you change your mind, I'm sure you remember where my cottage is. If I'm not home, a letter will do."
>"That said, I think it is time for us to go, Marisa."
> You stand up.
> "...Right." Youmu says, uncertainly this time.
> "Let's go see where else I can almost die then..."
>_
-
>Nod to Youmu and smile, maybe a little teasingly. "Until next time."
>Let's make our way out of the Netherworld for now. "Feel like heading straight home, Marisa?"
-
>Nod to Youmu and smile, maybe a little teasingly. "Until next time."
>Let's make our way out of the Netherworld for now. "Feel like heading straight home, Marisa?"
> Youmu nods.
> You start out from the Netherworld.
> "Probably... It'd be great, but there's still others to see, right?"
>_
-
>"We're out of mushrooms for the day, though."
>Check the sky, how late is it?
-
>"We're out of mushrooms for the day, though."
>Check the sky, how late is it?
> "...Sure then."
> The sky is still lit, however, the source doesn't seem to be visible...
>_
-
>Lets just trek back to Marisa's house and leave her off for now.
-
>Lets just trek back to Marisa's house and leave her off for now.
> You start back towards Marisa's home...
> The fairy from before doesn't seem to have learned her lesson... Those accompanying her haven't contributed to stopping the cycle either...
> "Might be late, but we probably should've stayed in hopes of eating something..." Marisa speaks as you continue.
>_
-
>"I would feel bad, after Youmu already had to prepare a feast for Yuyuko."
>What are the faeries doing, exactly?
-
>"I would feel bad, after Youmu already had to prepare a feast for Yuyuko."
>What are the faeries doing, exactly?
> "Hm."
> They're following their companion down the stairs as she tumbles. Actually, it may be a different fairy than before tumbling...
>_
-
>Faeries...
>Continue on toward Marisa's house!
-
>Faeries...
>Continue on toward Marisa's house!
> You continue.
> You arrive back in the Forest of Magic after a leisurely flight.
>_
-
>Let's go deposit Marisa at her home, and get a sense of the time while we're there.
>Does flight feel any more difficult for us at our current size?
-
>Let's go deposit Marisa at her home, and get a sense of the time while we're there.
>Does flight feel any more difficult for us at our current size?
> You head for Marisa's house and let her depart.
> It does.
>_
-
>What time does it seem to be?
-
>What time does it seem to be?
> Midday.
>_
-
>Hmmm...should we be responsible and check on Hina, or just say the hell with it and go see Meiling? Choices...
>Wander toward home as we ponder this, and see if there's any messages or the like awaiting us.
-
>Hmmm...should we be responsible and check on Hina, or just say the hell with it and go see Meiling? Choices...
>Wander toward home as we ponder this, and see if there's any messages or the like awaiting us.
> You consider as you head home... If you were to check on Hina, even a brief encounter would do well, as opposed to missing her and having to hope you run into her at the mountain or the village another time...
> No notes or damage to your home...
>_
-
>Yeah, let's be productive and meet with Hina. Head toward the market.
-
>Yeah, let's be productive and meet with Hina. Head toward the market.
> You start off for the Human Village...
> You manage to pass through much better than earlier, however, you don't see Hina anywhere...
>_
-
>Let's go to where her stand was, and look for a nearby stand to ask if she's still around.
-
>Let's go to where her stand was, and look for a nearby stand to ask if she's still around.
> You head to the vacant area and question a nearby one.
> "The stand with the dolls? Nope."
>_
-
>"Ah, she packed up for the day, then?"
-
>"Ah, she packed up for the day, then?"
> "I believe so."
>_
-
>"Alright, thank you!"
>Let's trek around to where we first encountered Hina a few days ago.
-
>"Alright, thank you!"
>Let's trek around to where we first encountered Hina a few days ago.
> You leave, heading for the mountain...
> Your path seems impeded by a few tengu...
>_
-
>Approach the tengu, bow politely.
>"Hello! Would you happen to know where Miss Hina has gone?"
-
>Approach the tengu, bow politely.
>"Hello! Would you happen to know where Miss Hina has gone?"
> "Past here. Why?"
>_
-
>"I would like to visit with her. We have a small arrangement."
-
>"I would like to visit with her. We have a small arrangement."
> "Go on."
> "It was rude to ask for her business with her."
> "You never know what someone could be planning though."
>_
-
>"I've been assisting in some of her commercial endeavors in town, if you must know, and she has been collecting work orders for me. I trust that won't be a problem?"
-
>"I've been assisting in some of her commercial endeavors in town, if you must know, and she has been collecting work orders for me. I trust that won't be a problem?"
> The Tengu shake their heads.
>_
-
>"Splendid! Might you direct me toward her?"
-
>"Splendid! Might you direct me toward her?"
> The wolves look to each other.
> "Okay." One nods, starting off.
>_
-
>Follow that wolf!
-
>Follow that wolf!
> You follow, the others having your back...
> You're led near where you met before... You can see Hina up some more...
>_
-
>"Ah, there she is. Thank you for the escort. I can take it from here."
>Head toward Hina.
-
>"Ah, there she is. Thank you for the escort. I can take it from here."
>Head toward Hina.
> You depart from the group.
> "Good evening." Hina waves.
>_
-
>"Hello! Did you have any luck with your dolls?"
-
>"Hello! Did you have any luck with your dolls?"
> Hina nods.
> "I asked each if they would like any help with lifting or moving anything, but no one accepted the offer."
>_
-
>"Mmm. Well, hopefully news will get around more tomorrow. Thank you for taking it upon yourself to spread the word for me."
-
>"Mmm. Well, hopefully news will get around more tomorrow. Thank you for taking it upon yourself to spread the word for me."
> Hina nods.
> "Have you been successful elsewhere?"
>_
-
>"Somewhat, but not as much as I would like. I suppose if nothing else, I could probably help the oni rebuild some things, heaven knows if their money is any good, though. Research is...plodding along."
-
>"Somewhat, but not as much as I would like. I suppose if nothing else, I could probably help the oni rebuild some things, heaven knows if their money is any good, though. Research is...plodding along."
> "Plodding along?"
>_
-
>"We've disposed some thoughts we had on the mushrooms, I'm working on some new ideas. But we don't have anything truly definite yet."
-
>"We've disposed some thoughts we had on the mushrooms, I'm working on some new ideas. But we don't have anything truly definite yet."
> "Ah. I hope it goes well."
>_
-
>"I'm sure we're zeroing in on it. And I hope people enjoyed the dolls that you made."
-
>"I'm sure we're zeroing in on it. And I hope people enjoyed the dolls that you made."
> "Mm."
>_
-
>"Did you get complaints?"
-
>"Did you get complaints?"
> Hina shakes her head.
>_
-
>"Did you not enjoy the experience?"
-
>"Did you not enjoy the experience?"
> "The experience? When waiting for people to purchase the dolls?"
>_
-
>"And actually selling them."
-
>"And actually selling them."
> "It was fine. Not too different from other times."
>_
-
>Nod
>"You've sold things in the market before?"
-
>Nod
>"You've sold things in the market before?"
> "Dolls before, yes."
>_
-
>"Did you have better luck of it then?"
>What was Hina up to when we met up with her just now?
-
>"Did you have better luck of it then?"
>What was Hina up to when we met up with her just now?
> "I would say so."
> She seemed to be doing something with her ribbons or her hair...
>_
-
>"Curious."
-
>"Curious."
> "They were displayed in a better manner..."
>_
-
>"Ah, I see. Will you be going back tomorrow?"
-
>"Ah, I see. Will you be going back tomorrow?"
> Hina thinks.
> "No." She shakes her head.
>_
-
>Nod.
>"When you do, I may call on you again."
-
>Nod.
>"When you do, I may call on you again."
> Hina nods.
>_
-
>"Thank you. Oh, might there be anything you'll need before I go?"
-
>"Thank you. Oh, might there be anything you'll need before I go?"
> "I don't believe so..."
>_
-
>"Alright. I'll see you later!"
>Let's depart back toward home.
-
>"Alright. I'll see you later!"
>Let's depart back toward home.
> You give your goodbyes and return to the forest...
> There's still time before night...
>_
-
>Perhaps, but we need more mushrooms.
>Leave the dolls off at home. "I'm going to go speak with Meiling for a little while. I'll try to be home before it gets too late."
-
>Perhaps, but we need more mushrooms.
>Leave the dolls off at home. "I'm going to go speak with Meiling for a little while. I'll try to be home before it gets too late."
> You have your dolls wait at home.
> Shanghai nods.
>_
-
>Give them a smile, and then head toward Scarlet Devil Mansion.
>One wonders if Meiling has as much difficulty with self restraint that we have, or if she's just as large as she was when we parted ways? Which would be preferable...hmm, it would be nice to see if she made herself larger while we were away, wouldn't it?
-
>Give them a smile, and then head toward Scarlet Devil Mansion.
>One wonders if Meiling has as much difficulty with self restraint that we have, or if she's just as large as she was when we parted ways? Which would be preferable...hmm, it would be nice to see if she made herself larger while we were away, wouldn't it?
> You smile and depart, considering which situation with Meiling would be the most desirable...
> Progress towards growth would be a positive, but it'd still be nice if she was occupied with impressing the mansion and earning time off...
> Your anticipation may be making the trip longer than it actually is...
> You wonder if you should bring a gift though... If she's unable to have time, it'd still be something nice and brief...
> But you're already partially there...
>_
-
>Oh well, it's just a second visit, and we won't be doing much other than visiting anyways, given financial constraints.
-
>Oh well, it's just a second visit, and we won't be doing much other than visiting anyways, given financial constraints.
> You continue patiently...
> You can see Meiling now. She doesn't seem to have grown, at least not significantly.
> She waves with a smile as you notice her.
>_
-
>Wave back.
>"Hey, mind some company?"
-
>Wave back.
>"Hey, mind some company?"
> "Of course not." Meiling says. "How have things been?"
>_
-
>"Busy."
>Have a seat beside the gate.
>"I've been running around all day."
-
>"Busy."
>Have a seat beside the gate.
>"I've been running around all day."
> You sit down.
> "Has it been alright at least?"
>_
-
>Does the wall feel like it could hold our weight? If so, gently lean back against it to test it.
>"Well, we haven't found as much as we would have liked, but it's not be too bad. ...Aside from learning it is a very bad idea to give Yuyuko those mushrooms."
-
>Does the wall feel like it could hold our weight? If so, gently lean back against it to test it.
>"Well, we haven't found as much as we would have liked, but it's not be too bad. ...Aside from learning it is a very bad idea to give Yuyuko those mushrooms."
> You lean against the wall...
> Yup, it's fine. Not moving a bit.
> "Really? Why? Did she turn on you?"
>_
-
>"She...got more deathly, so to speak. It was a real problem for Marisa and I. And a bit more obstinate. Until she passed out from hunger, which also got worse."
-
>"She...got more deathly, so to speak. It was a real problem for Marisa and I. And a bit more obstinate. Until she passed out from hunger, which also got worse."
> "How did her hunger get worse?" Meiling looks confused.
-
>"I assume it was the mushroom amplifying the trait."
-
>"I assume it was the mushroom amplifying the trait."
> "Hm. Guess you won't be trying her again then?"
>_
-
>"Not unless I absolutely need to... It was strange, she and Youmu barely got any larger at all, either."
-
>"Not unless I absolutely need to... It was strange, she and Youmu barely got any larger at all, either."
> "Huh... I hope someone ends up getting large enough to impress you."
>_
-
>"Well, so far you and Yuugi have been the frontrunners."
-
>"Well, so far you and Yuugi have been the frontrunners."
> "Hehe."
>_
-
>"I thought you might like to hear that. Also, I am a little surprised by your restraint."
-
>"I thought you might like to hear that. Also, I am a little surprised by your restraint."
> "Restraint?"
>_
-
>"You've barely gotten larger at all. Then we look at me..."
-
>"You've barely gotten larger at all. Then we look at me..."
> "Well I haven't found a way to get my clothes to keep up with me. I'm sure I could impress you if I had some to fit."
>_
-
>"Well, all you need to do is ask."
-
>"Well, all you need to do is ask."
> "It wouldn't be a surprise if you were doing it."
>_
-
>"I suppose the only way that would work would be to meet me somewhere secluded..."
-
>"I suppose the only way that would work would be to meet me somewhere secluded..."
> "We could try to realize another method."
>_
-
>"Go on."
-
>"Go on."
> "I didn't say I had one. I said we could try to figure out one~"
>_
-
>"We'd have to figure out how to extend your ki to reach out beyond your body and affect it. Can you do that, aside from that one blast you demonstrated?"
-
>"We'd have to figure out how to extend your ki to reach out beyond your body and affect it. Can you do that, aside from that one blast you demonstrated?"
> "About that, actually." Meiling says. "See, I think it can only work on living things."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"That would make sense. So unless we can teach you some reasonably advanced sorcery, I think we may be out of luck there..."
-
>Nod.
>"That would make sense. So unless we can teach you some reasonably advanced sorcery, I think we may be out of luck there..."
> "For now, at least."
>_
-
>"Well, I can't fault that confidence. But I admit I'm at a loss on how to proceed unless you can affect products of living things, like cotton and silk."
-
>"Well, I can't fault that confidence. But I admit I'm at a loss on how to proceed unless you can affect products of living things, like cotton and silk."
> "Qi flowing through cotton and silk?" Meiling questions.
>_
-
>"That's all I can think of. I mean, they were produced by something living, rather than something like rock or water."
-
>"That's all I can think of. I mean, they were produced by something living, rather than something like rock or water."
> Meiling considers...
>_
-
>"I don't really have an answer for it. This is more your domain."
-
>"I don't really have an answer for it. This is more your domain."
> "I could look into it and try to figure out if it'd work..."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"It might be good for a long term project."
-
>Nod.
>"It might be good for a long term project."
> She nods, a bit absent mindedly.
>_
-
>"I'm talking too much about myself. How was your day?"
-
>"I'm talking too much about myself. How was your day?"
> "Nobody got past me! And they still haven't. I'm not sure I've managed anything impressive enough for the mistress yet though..."
>_
-
>"I am sure she is already impressed with you. So, who tried to break in?"
-
>"I am sure she is already impressed with you. So, who tried to break in?"
> "A few fairies... Youkai... I need something amazing to stop though."
>_
-
>"More amazing than the likes of Marisa?"
-
>"More amazing than the likes of Marisa?"
> "Maybe. If I just stop here, they'd be like 'good, you should normally be stopping that human' and all..."
>_
-
>"Hm. I hesitate to actually want to "help" this problem, it would look bad if it was found out that I sent people trying to break in..."
-
>"Hm. I hesitate to actually want to "help" this problem, it would look bad if it was found out that I sent people trying to break in..."
> "There might be other ways to impress the mistress..." Meiling thinks.
>_
-
>"What sorts of things really impress her, though?"
-
>"What sorts of things really impress her, though?"
> "...I'd probably have to ask Reimu. She seems to enjoy her some."
>_
-
>"I mean, would feats of strength impress her? Feats of skill?"
-
>"I mean, would feats of strength impress her? Feats of skill?"
> "Not in a way that would change my conditions for work, I think..."
>_
-
>"Perhaps if you used your enhanced strength and leverage to build something?"
-
>"Perhaps if you used your enhanced strength and leverage to build something?"
> "Build something? Like what? A statue of her?"
>_
-
>"I hadn't thought that many steps ahead. But maybe something like that, or an expansion to the walls, or a new pavilion. Maybe a new part of the mansion itself?"
-
>"I hadn't thought that many steps ahead. But maybe something like that, or an expansion to the walls, or a new pavilion. Maybe a new part of the mansion itself?"
> "I'll have to ask with that..."
>_
-
>"Hmm, Point. Perhaps something more gardening-related?"
-
>"Hmm, Point. Perhaps something more gardening-related?"
> "They'll only be impressed by that so much... I don't have many opportunities to impress them, but I can still try my best in one or another."
>_
-
>"Less gardening, then, and more landscaping. You could put up a hedge maze overnight."
-
>"Less gardening, then, and more landscaping. You could put up a hedge maze overnight."
> "I hope that wouldn't just bring me trouble."
>_
-
>"I can't imagine it would. But I don't deal with Remilia like you do..."
-
>"I can't imagine it would. But I don't deal with Remilia like you do..."
> Meiling shrugs.
>_
-
>"We'll worry about it later, though feel free to bounce any ideas you get off me."
-
>"We'll worry about it later, though feel free to bounce any ideas you get off me."
> Meiling nods.
>_
-
>"Anything else happen?"
-
>"Anything else happen?"
> "Not really."
>_
-
>"Sounds like a perfectly dull day. Unless there were quite a few faeries or youkai."
-
>"Sounds like a perfectly dull day. Unless there were quite a few faeries or youkai."
> "Unfortunately not. I'm glad you made an appearance, at least."
>_
-
>"I figured it was the least I could do. Sit with me? Or does that violate what your job requires?"
-
>"I figured it was the least I could do. Sit with me? Or does that violate what your job requires?"
> Meiling sits down against the wall.
>_
-
>Put an arm around her and pull her close.
-
>Put an arm around her and pull her close.
> You pull Meiling in close with an arm.
> "How poor would it be if someone strong tried to come through right now?" Meiling questions.
>_
-
>"It would be irksome, but I'd block off the gate for you while you dealt with them."
-
>"It would be irksome, but I'd block off the gate for you while you dealt with them."
> "Good to hear..." Meiling relaxes a bit, leaning to you.
>_
-
>Allow a few moments of comfortable silence. Discreetly glance around to make sure we aren't being eavesdropped upon, or just have anyone in hearing range.
>Assuming not, quietly say, "You know...I've been having weird dreams lately."
-
>Allow a few moments of comfortable silence. Discreetly glance around to make sure we aren't being eavesdropped upon, or just have anyone in hearing range.
>Assuming not, quietly say, "You know...I've been having weird dreams lately."
> You enjoy the comfort, scanning just a bit for obvious peepers, but finding none.
> "Mmm?" Meiling doesn't open her eyes.
>_
-
>"About home. My old home."
-
>"About home. My old home."
>"Oh. Were they nostalgic?"
>_
-
>"More...baffling. I was heading somewhere..."
>Try to recall what we can of those dreams.
-
>"More...baffling. I was heading somewhere..."
>Try to recall what we can of those dreams.
> They seem to have involved people you knew. And your appearance has started to become more accurate within them. There was almost always conflict, and you may have thrashed about in your sleep. That or the injuries from the dream persisted with your real self.
> Meiling waits for you to continue.
>_
-
>"Well, each time, I saw people I from my past, back before I came here. It's happened several nights, now. And it feels like, each time, I'm more...like me? You know, not just some abstract dream self, but more like my real self. It's hard to put into words. Nearly every time, I end up getting into a fight with these people, and apparently hurt myself thrashing around from it. I didn't pay it any mind at first, but it's happened a few times..."
-
>"Well, each time, I saw people I from my past, back before I came here. It's happened several nights, now. And it feels like, each time, I'm more...like me? You know, not just some abstract dream self, but more like my real self. It's hard to put into words. Nearly every time, I end up getting into a fight with these people, and apparently hurt myself thrashing around from it. I didn't pay it any mind at first, but it's happened a few times..."
> "That does sound a bit weird. Was there anyone you knew back there that had that kind of magic? Like, I'd think that someone's trying to make me come back in that situation."
>_
-
>Did we know anyone there that could do that sort of thing? Perhaps Shinki, but otherwise?
-
>Did we know anyone there that could do that sort of thing? Perhaps Shinki, but otherwise?
> None come to mind...
>_
-
>"Other than the goddess herself potentially, no."
-
>"Other than the goddess herself potentially, no."
> "If it's not something magical... Did you read any-... anything interesting lately?"
>_
-
>"Not that I remember, anyways. And even then, to have linked dreams over several days..."
-
>"Not that I remember, anyways. And even then, to have linked dreams over several days..."
> "Mm... Do you wanna try to talk to Patchouli? I'm not gonna tell her if you don't want me to, of course, but I could try if you do."
>_
-
>"I don't know. I don't really want to talk about it with anyone. Just, I was thinking, since you and I are together now, I ought to open up a bit since it's been on my mind... Should I?"
-
>"I don't know. I don't really want to talk about it with anyone. Just, I was thinking, since you and I are together now, I ought to open up a bit since it's been on my mind... Should I?"
> "If it's been going like you said, maybe we should try to stop it before something bigger happens. If it's ignored and nothing bigger happens, then that's good. But if it does, I'd be upset I couldn't do anything to help, for one..."
>_
-
>"I hate it, but you're right."
-
>"I hate it, but you're right."
> "The steps are still up to you. We don't have to tell anyone, I think. We could just try to find some information out about dreams, or something..."
>_
-
>"We could, if we could slip into the library and look into it without arousing suspicion."
-
>"We could, if we could slip into the library and look into it without arousing suspicion."
> "Ooh... That might be a bit too risky for me..."
>_
-
>"I don't mean sneak in without Patchouli ever knowing we're there, just as long as she doesn't really figure out what we're looking into, or why."
-
>"I don't mean sneak in without Patchouli ever knowing we're there, just as long as she doesn't really figure out what we're looking into, or why."
> "Oh. Right."
>_
-
>"I suppose we could do that later when your shift is up, if you don't mind?"
>Do we know that library well enough to know where to look for this kind of thing, specifically or in general?
-
>"I suppose we could do that later when your shift is up, if you don't mind?"
>Do we know that library well enough to know where to look for this kind of thing, specifically or in general?
> Meiling nods.
> You consider...
> No.
>_
-
>"Thanks. I don't suppose you're familiar enough to know where to look?"
-
>"Thanks. I don't suppose you're familiar enough to know where to look?"
> "Every time I go in there, it's like books are at a different place than they were before. Maybe that's just me thinking one spot is another though. And not being there often."
>_
-
>Nod. "No, it's probably not you. We'll manage."
-
>Nod. "No, it's probably not you. We'll manage."
> "Okay."
>_
-
>"I suppose it's not a terribly romantic second outing, but I hope you won't mind."
-
>"I suppose it's not a terribly romantic second outing, but I hope you won't mind."
> "It makes other outings possible, if things go well."
>_
-
>Smile. "I suppose that's not wrong."
-
>Smile. "I suppose that's not wrong."
> Meiling smiles as well.
>_
-
>"Do you think they would mind if I stayed her for supper?"
-
>"Do you think they would mind if I stayed her for supper?"
> Meiling shrugs.
>_
-
>"I suppose we'll find out, if you don't mind inviting me as a guest."
-
>"I suppose we'll find out, if you don't mind inviting me as a guest."
> "Maybe they'd still be in a good mood, like when we had our time away, and it was more than expected..."
>_
-
>Oh right, that...
>Sinking feeling.
>"...One hopes."
-
>Oh right, that...
>Sinking feeling.
>"...One hopes."
> "Sakuya seemed supportive~"
>_
-
>"Did she? I couldn't tell."
-
>"Did she? I couldn't tell."
> "At least about getting me time off."
>_
-
>"That's something, isn't it? We'll ask about it next time she's around."
-
>"That's something, isn't it? We'll ask about it next time she's around."
> "Mhm."
>_
-
>We'll just let her cuddle up with us and enjoy the time passing for now. If she has more to say, she can get to it when she feels like.
-
>We'll just let her cuddle up with us and enjoy the time passing for now. If she has more to say, she can get to it when she feels like.
> You enjoy the situation quietly with Meiling...
> "I might be able to take some time away from sleeping... Or another activity..."
>_
-
>"Is that so? What've you got in mind?"
-
>"Is that so? What've you got in mind?"
> "Well, you've helped me grow a bit, literally and with what ways I can use my magic. It might be fine to pass up a bit of time I could use in something else, for you. You're not always gonna be around here though, so it could be something like asking for time off or even trying to negotiate a different schedule without interrupting actual work."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"I wouldn't mind just about any of those things. I've...been considering returning home, and I admit, I wouldn't mind the company..."
-
>Nod.
>"I wouldn't mind just about any of those things. I've...been considering returning home, and I admit, I wouldn't mind the company..."
> "You mean your old home?"
>_
-
>"Just so."
-
>"Just so."
> "Oh..."
>_
-
>Chuckle. "Reconsidering the idea now? I wouldn't blame you."
-
>Chuckle. "Reconsidering the idea now? I wouldn't blame you."
> "Was it great back home?"
>_
-
>Was it?
-
>Was it?
> It was... less than great, compared to here... But it wasn't bad...
>_
-
>"I wouldn't recommend it, Gensokyo is so much nicer. But it wasn't bad, exactly."
-
>"I wouldn't recommend it, Gensokyo is so much nicer. But it wasn't bad, exactly."
> "Am I included as a reason it's nicer yet?"
>_
-
>"Without question."
-
>"Without question."
> Meiling giggles.
> "I feel the same."
>_
-
>"Compared to the mainland?"
-
>"Compared to the mainland?"
> "I do miss a lot, of course... But you can't help that..."
>_
-
>Nod. "I suppose not. I imagine it was a sadder departure for you than it was for me."
-
>Nod. "I suppose not. I imagine it was a sadder departure for you than it was for me."
> "I try to take positive things from it instead of sadder ones."
>_
-
>Nod. "In my case, it was nothing but relief."
-
>Nod. "In my case, it was nothing but relief."
> "I still had the mansion group with me though."
>_
-
>"That would take the sting out of it, a bit."
-
>"That would take the sting out of it, a bit."
> "A bit." Meiling agrees.
>_
-
>"Anyways, I certainly won't obligate you to follow me if I do go to Makai, but I wouldn't complain in the least if you did."
-
>"Anyways, I certainly won't obligate you to follow me if I do go to Makai, but I wouldn't complain in the least if you did."
> "Mm..." Meiling considers...
>_
-
>"It won't be held against you in any way, I promise."
-
>"It won't be held against you in any way, I promise."
> "I'm thinking if it might actually be possible to join, but probably not..."
>_
-
>"I wouldn't hold it against your work schedule, either."
-
>"I wouldn't hold it against your work schedule, either."
> Meiling nods a bit.
>_
-
>"We'll just see what things are like when the time comes."
-
>"We'll just see what things are like when the time comes."
>" Maybe you'll find out another breakthrough about me and I can still be here while also being with you..."
>_
-
>"Well, the best I can come up with is making a Meiling doll. But I doubt I could make it nearly as good at the job as the real thing."
-
>"Well, the best I can come up with is making a Meiling doll. But I doubt I could make it nearly as good at the job as the real thing."
> "What if I infuse it with Qi, like we said could be tried with clothes?" You think it'd move like me? Or at all?"
>_
-
>"Hmm..."
>Do we think we could conjure a doll without any sapiance, so she could infuse it with herself? And do we have any reason to suspect whether or not it will work?
-
>"Hmm..."
>Do we think we could conjure a doll without any sapiance, so she could infuse it with herself? And do we have any reason to suspect whether or not it will work?
> You could create a normal doll.
> You put your energy into your dolls, but they don't act like you. And only Shanghai and Hourai act on their own, mostly.
>_
-
>"I put my own energy into dolls, but they certainly art copies of me. I've never had an interest in that. I don't know if it would be personalized to you."
-
>"I put my own energy into dolls, but they certainly art copies of me. I've never had an interest in that. I don't know if it would be personalized to you."
> "Darn..."
>_
-
>"That doesn't mean it's impossible, but what I would fear is that you might accidentally pour too much of yourself into one, and...essentially transfer your mind there."
-
>"That doesn't mean it's impossible, but what I would fear is that you might accidentally pour too much of yourself into one, and...essentially transfer your mind there."
> "Oh. That would be a bit bad..."
>_
-
>"I'm not saying it's impossible, but I don't think it would be easy, and we'd have to proceed with care."
-
>"I'm not saying it's impossible, but I don't think it would be easy, and we'd have to proceed with care."
> "I know, not impossible." Meiling nods just a bit.
>_
-
>"I could make your a practice doll, if you wanted to try it. If nothing else, it's a good way to see if your Qi can mesh with cloth."
-
>"I could make your a practice doll, if you wanted to try it. If nothing else, it's a good way to see if your Qi can mesh with cloth."
> "I don't wanna trouble you."
>_
-
>"Hardly a trouble, even if it weren't for you."
-
>"Hardly a trouble, even if it weren't for you."
> "Okay."
>_
-
>"Is that 'okay I understand', or 'okay do it'?"
-
>"Is that 'okay I understand', or 'okay do it'?"
> "I understand. We might be able to do it if we're lucky out here too. But we've been stretching that for a bit."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"I think it's real value would be practice on affecting fibers, really."
-
>Nod.
>"I think it's real value would be practice on affecting fibers, really."
> "So should we still try now?"
>_
-
>"I think it might not be a terrible idea, as long as you are careful."
-
>"I think it might not be a terrible idea, as long as you are careful."
> "Are we going to try it now, or not?"
>_
-
>"That's up to you."
-
>"That's up to you."
> "...Another time then."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"That's fine."
-
>Nod.
>"That's fine."
> "Okay."
>_
-
>Comfortable silence!
>After some moments. "I wonder how bad of an idea it would be to give Yukari a pair of those mushrooms?"
-
>Comfortable silence!
>After some moments. "I wonder how bad of an idea it would be to give Yukari a pair of those mushrooms?"
> You smile a bit in the silence.
> Meiling giggles.
> "You might end up losing the chance to give others any more, at the very least."
>_
-
>"Maybe. But I can only imagine how impressive the results would be."
-
>"Maybe. But I can only imagine how impressive the results would be."
> "Maybe she's someone you can offer them to last, after everyone else?"
>_
-
>"Perhaps so. I'm also terribly curious how Ran would take them."
-
>"Perhaps so. I'm also terribly curious how Ran would take them."
> "Hm?"
>_
-
>"She is not much weaker than Yukari. But less...unpredictable."
-
>"She is not much weaker than Yukari. But less...unpredictable."
> "Oh."
>_
-
>"And I think you'll agree her tails are just darling. But that aside, just finding them would be difficult."
-
>"And I think you'll agree her tails are just darling. But that aside, just finding them would be difficult."
> "The mushrooms, or Yukari and Ran?"
>_
-
>"The latter."
-
>"The latter."
> "Oh. Maybe they'll find you if they're interested."
>_
-
>"I suppose that's possible..."
-
>"I suppose that's possible..."
> "If you keep doing this maybe."
>_
-
>"Them aside, there are still a few more tests I'd like to run now, let alone ones that may come up in the future. So you may be right."
-
>"Them aside, there are still a few more tests I'd like to run now, let alone ones that may come up in the future. So you may be right."
> "Glad to know you're staying longer, at least..."
>_
-
>"Oh, make no mistakes about that, I will be coming home."
-
>"Oh, make no mistakes about that, I will be coming home."
> "But you'll still be here a bit longer."
>_
-
>Nod.
-
>Nod.
> "I might have to ask for more days with you. It'd be great for that before you gone, even if I have to work more afterwards in exchange."
>_
-
>"I can't say that I'd mind that, actually."
-
>"I can't say that I'd mind that, actually."
> "I'd feel really sad if you did mind it!"
>_
-
>"Well, point. But yes, I'd love it if you could swing that."
>"There's something else I've been trying, lately. I feel there's good money for me in construction now."
-
>"Well, point. But yes, I'd love it if you could swing that."
>"There's something else I've been trying, lately. I feel there's good money for me in construction now."
> "Well it'd be easy with your size... Would you still be successful back home?"
>_
-
>"That's my feeling. I might as put my newfound heights to work for me."
>"And, what do you mean, still be successful back home? If you mean there, I have no idea, really."
-
>"That's my feeling. I might as put my newfound heights to work for me."
>"And, what do you mean, still be successful back home? If you mean there, I have no idea, really."
> "Were there a lot of structures or things to move?"
>_
-
>"There's always things to move, that's just how a town is. And there's always things to maintain, at least."
-
>"There's always things to move, that's just how a town is. And there's always things to maintain, at least."
> Meiling nods.
> "So when do you expect you'll be leaving?"
>_
-
>"I honestly don't know yet. It could be as early as tomorrow, given how urgent these dreams become, and what we find with regards to them."
-
>"I honestly don't know yet. It could be as early as tomorrow, given how urgent these dreams become, and what we find with regards to them."
> "Then what do we do today?"
>_
-
>"Examine the library, once your shift is done. And, we'll see about sneaking me in for supper?"
-
>"Examine the library, once your shift is done. And, we'll see about sneaking me in for supper?"
> Meiling nods.
>_
-
>"Anything you'd like to add to that?"
-
>"Anything you'd like to add to that?"
> "Having a nice time. Maaaybe something about convincing you to stay here longer, or going with you. But of course the latter probably won't happen."
>_
-
>"Well, I'm open to any of these..."
-
>"Well, I'm open to any of these..."
> "Hopefully we'll see when we get to it."
>_
-
>"How long do you have left? Maybe I should get a head start on looking through the library?"
-
>"How long do you have left? Maybe I should get a head start on looking through the library?"
> "Just a while, but probably long enough that that'd be a better idea..."
>_
-
>"Alright, join me when you can. And put in a good word if you get the chance."
>Slowly disengage ourself from Meiling, and make our way into the mansion, and into the library. We've got some searchin' to do.
-
>"Alright, join me when you can. And put in a good word if you get the chance."
>Slowly disengage ourself from Meiling, and make our way into the mansion, and into the library. We've got some searchin' to do.
> Meiling nods a bit, letting you go...
> You head through the gate and through the mansion until you reach the library.
> As always, it's vast... Even if by chance the library does change and shift where all the books and shelves are, Patchouli and her desk always seem to be the heart...
>_
-
>Glance around, can we even tell what is where?
-
>Glance around, can we even tell what is where?
> ...
> Aside from the entrance, upper levels, and the heart, you'd be lost in here.
>_
-
>Oh well, let's go see Patchouli just to be social.
-
>Oh well, let's go see Patchouli just to be social.
> You approach Patchouli's table.
> Though she's in a book, she does turn to notice you, at least for a few moments...
>_
-
>"I'm going to be doing a little research, alright?"
-
>"I'm going to be doing a little research, alright?"
> "Good afternoon to you too, Alice."
>_
-
>"You seemed busy, I thought I'd get to the point. Yes, good afternoon, Patchouli. How has your day been?"
-
>"You seemed busy, I thought I'd get to the point. Yes, good afternoon, Patchouli. How has your day been?"
> "Quite well. No interruptions yet. Things are going fine in what I'm studying. How about you? You don't seem to have your companions around tonight..."
>_
-
>"They're at home. I'm going to spend some time with Meiling here once she's free. She'll be assisting me."
-
>"They're at home. I'm going to spend some time with Meiling here once she's free. She'll be assisting me."
> "Might I ask what for?"
>_
-
>"Just a personal project, really."
-
>"Just a personal project, really."
> Patchouli nods.
>_
-
>Unless we think she has more to say, let's wade out into the library and start searching. We ought to have a little familiarity with at least some of the contents to speed things along from sections we don't need to be in.
-
>Unless we think she has more to say, let's wade out into the library and start searching. We ought to have a little familiarity with at least some of the contents to speed things along from sections we don't need to be in.
> You stroll a bit over to the side, and Patchouli says nothing.
> You continue out through the library, narrowing your search. Things possibly relating to dreams. Magic, maybe. Creatures. Possibly a few about magical forests or hallucinogens, if you were to broaden your search and consider your current home to be doing something.
>_
-
>We'll draw Makai into the search then.
-
>We'll draw Makai into the search then.
> You continue, starting to amass a stack of books...
>_
-
>Take some time to go through the stack now, so we don't take too many things, and lose too many shelving spots.
-
>Take some time to go through the stack now, so we don't take too many things, and lose too many shelving spots.
> You browse through the stack...
> There's a few you'll have to read to actually know if it's useful or not...
>_
-
>Let's skim them.
-
>Let's skim them.
> You attempt to skim through the books...
> ...
> You only pick out a couple that looked like they had nothing to offer...
>_
-
>Set the ones with nothing to offer aside; or back into their proper place if we can easily reach it, and give the others a bit more attention, starting with the one that feels meatiest.
-
>Set the ones with nothing to offer aside; or back into their proper place if we can easily reach it, and give the others a bit more attention, starting with the one that feels meatiest.
> You return the others and start to delve through information...
> ...
> You can hear Meiling, after a lot of time has passed... You'd really like something to eat now too...
>_
-
>Can Meiling see us over the shelves? If so, gesture for her to join us. We'll hold out hope for dinner.
>Have we learned anything?
-
>Can Meiling see us over the shelves? If so, gesture for her to join us. We'll hold out hope for dinner.
>Have we learned anything?
> It seems unlikely... You are also sitting to make this easier.
> There's a creature; a Baku, that could probably help in this.
> It may be the effects of the forest, but that's the weakest lead you have.
> And magic of course. Someone could be using it on you while you slept, but that'd mean getting into your house and past Shanghai and Hourai. Unless that's somehow combined with a form of voodoo.
>_
-
>Wave so Meiling can see us.
>Do we have the slightest clue where to find a baku?
-
>Wave so Meiling can see us.
>Do we have the slightest clue where to find a baku?
> You wave over to Meiling. She notices you after a bit, and starts towards you.
> ...In your dreams, maybe?
>_
-
>Let Meiling join us.
>"Hey, do you know where to find a baku?"
-
>Let Meiling join us.
>"Hey, do you know where to find a baku?"
> "A what?" Meiling sits next to you.
>_
-
>"A baku. Dream kind of youkai."
-
>"A baku. Dream kind of youkai."
> "Oh. No, I don't."
>_
-
>"Oh well, it's a lead. Any word on dinner?"
-
>"Oh well, it's a lead. Any word on dinner?"
> "I hadn't asked..."
>_
-
>Nod
>"Later, then. Care to help me go through these?"
-
>Nod
>"Later, then. Care to help me go through these?"
> "Nn." Meiling nods. "So what are we looking for in specific? Just dream things, or..."
>_
-
>Nod. "I'm n the narrowing down phase right now."
-
>Nod. "I'm n the narrowing down phase right now."
> Meiling picks up a book, starting to read through it.
>_
-
>Continue on ourselves, let's see if we can rule out any of these possibilities.
-
>Continue on ourselves, let's see if we can rule out any of these possibilities.
> You keep reading...
> More about Baku, in that you could riskily have one eat your dream. You're not sure this would be useful in stopping the trend though...
>_
-
>It wouldn't tell us much about the source, either...
>Keep going.
-
>It wouldn't tell us much about the source, either...
>Keep going.
> You continue pursuing...
> Meiling gets up at one point, telling you she'll be a minute.
>_
-
>Nod idly, keep at it.
-
>Nod idly, keep at it.
> You nod and continue...
> The book doesn't seem to include any more useful information...
>_
-
>Set it aside, move on to the next one.
-
>Set it aside, move on to the next one.
> You quietly start on the next book...
> Hypnosis... You don't believe there was anyone who tried that back there... But it's still mentality affecting magic...
>_
-
>Skim through, see there's anything interesting.
>Any sing of Meiling?
-
>Skim through, see there's anything interesting.
>Any sing of Meiling?
> You begin to skim through the book...
> There's more similar magic, such as mind control and bringing up memories. Deceitful magic... It does remind you of Satori, a bit.
> She does seem to be returning to you...
>_
-
>Hmmm. Would anyone in Makai be able to do this? Alternately...would Satori have any beef with us?
-
>Hmmm. Would anyone in Makai be able to do this? Alternately...would Satori have any beef with us?
> You aren't sure. You don't believe Satori would...
>_
-
>Set this one aside, start another.
-
>Set this one aside, start another.
> You set the book aside and skim through another...
> ...
> Nothing useful about this and forests...
>_
-
>Once meiling gets back, ask, "What was going on?"
-
>Once meiling gets back, ask, "What was going on?"
> "Tried seeing if you could join for food, remember?"
>_
-
>"Well, I didn't want to assume. What did they say?"
-
>"Well, I didn't want to assume. What did they say?"
> "Well, you were brought in by me. But you actually just waltz in... So I think they want me to share mine with you."
>_
-
>"Are they seriously so cheap they won't pony up a meal for your guest?"
-
>"Are they seriously so cheap they won't pony up a meal for your guest?"
> "I don't think so..."
>_
-
>"Then what's their problem? I am not stealing your food, you need it!"
-
>"Then what's their problem? I am not stealing your food, you need it!"
> "She was...busy, at the time... Maybe it'll be different once it's time."
>_
-
>Grumble. "I'm gonna steal their food first, if it comes to that..."
>Back to book.
-
>Grumble. "I'm gonna steal their food first, if it comes to that..."
>Back to book.
> The book doesn't even seem to include anything useful. Just forests and a few examples. There's something a bit interesting about "Lost Woods", or similar, but that doesn't pertain to your problem... No dreams or sleep, no control magic, but maybe illusions...
>_
-
>Set it aside, go for the next book.
>"Find anything that seems relevant on your end, yet?"
-
>Set it aside, go for the next book.
>"Find anything that seems relevant on your end, yet?"
> You give up on the book.
> "Something about Lucid Dreams."
>_
-
>"Hmmm, let me see that?"
-
>"Hmmm, let me see that?"
> Meiling hands you the book, almost losing the page.
>_
-
>Skim!
-
>Skim!
> You start to skim through the book.
> "Hey, you aren't even reading it completely..."
>_
-
>"It would take days to read through everything, so I'm giving it a quick lookover to see if it's worth more attention."
-
>"It would take days to read through everything, so I'm giving it a quick lookover to see if it's worth more attention."
> "Oh. So that's how you've read much more than me in that stack..."
>_
-
>"Yeah, you just skim over it to see if there's anything that looks relevant, then focus on that."
>Do so!
-
>"Yeah, you just skim over it to see if there's anything that looks relevant, then focus on that."
>Do so!
> You resume...
> Lucid dreams... dreams that you control...
> It's not you doing all of this, is it?
>_
-
>Read more closely. Does it mention the dreamer actually constructing scenarios, or just reacting to them?
-
>Read more closely. Does it mention the dreamer actually constructing scenarios, or just reacting to them?
> ...
> Constructing them.
>_
-
>Read a bit more, see if we can find anything like a tell to determine if one is doing this. Also look into wounds carrying over from dreams.
-
>Read a bit more, see if we can find anything like a tell to determine if one is doing this. Also look into wounds carrying over from dreams.
> There's parts about familiarities to certain people. As a person, place, thing, or even idea that the dream revolves around.
>_
-
>Hmm. Set this one aside into the maybe pile, and move on to the next one.
-
>Hmm. Set this one aside into the maybe pile, and move on to the next one.
> You set the book aside.
> "Huh?"
>_
-
>"What are you huhing about?"
-
>"What are you huhing about?"
> "T-That was about dreams, wasn't it?"
>_
-
>"I've gotten what I need from it for the moment. This is the pile of books I'll be getting back to. I don't want to dwell on one possibility until I've at least looked at all of them."
-
>"I've gotten what I need from it for the moment. This is the pile of books I'll be getting back to. I don't want to dwell on one possibility until I've at least looked at all of them."
> "Oh. Good."
>_
-
>Nod. "It's the easiest way to do research like this, cover a lot of ground quickly, then narrow in on what looks good."
>Move on to the next one.
-
>Nod. "It's the easiest way to do research like this, cover a lot of ground quickly, then narrow in on what looks good."
>Move on to the next one.
> "Alright..."
> You move on to the next book.
> Seems to include other places. Finding Makai might be hard in this... No help from the table either.
>_
-
>Reimu mentioned she could help us get to Makai, right?
>Skim through it, see if we can intuit how its organization works.
-
>Reimu mentioned she could help us get to Makai, right?
>Skim through it, see if we can intuit how its organization works.
> She pointed you to the mountains behind the shrine and said it's over there. You could bother her with taking you there, or at least more specific directions.
> ...
> The author didn't take much care into organization... There might be something similar to Makai, or even it, but you're not focusing on it enough to determine whether or not it is that.
>_
-
>Give it a bit more thorough skim.
-
>Give it a bit more thorough skim.
> You skim more thoroughly...
> You don't think this is it...
>_
-
>Annoyed nose, move on to the next one.
-
>Annoyed nose, move on to the next one.
> You move on.
> "But there was-... Okay..."
>_
-
>"There was what?"
-
>"There was what?"
> "That seemed like it was useful..."
>_
-
>"It's a mess of random, unorganized stuff. My instincts weren't telling me good things. You can give it a second look over it you want, I could have missed something."
-
>"It's a mess of random, unorganized stuff. My instincts weren't telling me good things. You can give it a second look over it you want, I could have missed something."
> "I'll try and find out if there was anything..."
>_
-
>Nod. "It'll be a slog, I'm afraid. but I'm happy to have you watching my back, so to speak."
-
>Nod. "It'll be a slog, I'm afraid. but I'm happy to have you watching my back, so to speak."
> "A slug?"
>_
-
>"A slog."
-
>"A slog."
> "S-Sure."
>_
-
>"Well, I already looked over some part, so you can skip over them."
>Give a quick summary of the pages we've done already.
-
>"Well, I already looked over some part, so you can skip over them."
>Give a quick summary of the pages we've done already.
> You summarize what you've seen.
> Meiling nods.
>_
-
> Leave her to it and get back to our own research
-
> Leave her to it and get back to our own research
> You check another book, this one more about forests. It already seems more useful than the other forest one you skimmed through...
>_
-
>Let's skim through until we find mentions of unusual effects. Or perhaps unusual forest residents?
-
>Let's skim through until we find mentions of unusual effects. Or perhaps unusual forest residents?
> There are things about what is inside, as well as mixtures that could me made and what they may do.
>_
-
>Give it a deeper read.
-
>Give it a deeper read.
> Mushrooms and other articles... creatures themselves... Some of these do seem to have affects on the mind...
>_
-
>Look more into those creatures.
>We've been having these dreams since before the glamour mushroom experiments, yes?
-
>Look more into those creatures.
>We've been having these dreams since before the glamour mushroom experiments, yes?
> Yes, you have.
> You haven't encountered any of the listed creatures. And it doesn't seem like it would've affected you non-directly. They're effects are minor too, compared to the others.
>_
-
>Read a bit more into the mushrooms, just in case Marisa slipped us something earlier.
-
>Read a bit more into the mushrooms, just in case Marisa slipped us something earlier.
> You read in specifics about the mushrooms...
> Illustrations and descriptions don't seem familiar to what Marisa has shown you recently...
>_
-
>Hm. Skim a bit more, to see if there's anything else of interest.
-
>Hm. Skim a bit more, to see if there's anything else of interest.
> You scan more...
> Something about mushrooms that could be similar to the Glamour mushrooms...
>_
-
>Not exactly on topic...but let's read over that.
-
>Not exactly on topic...but let's read over that.
> You read...
> There are some similarities, but it's too different. Finding these other mushrooms might be something worthwhile though, after all of this has blown over. They're not as good, but still claim to grow people according to this...
>_
-
>Take some mental notes on these mushrooms, then move onto the next book.
-
>Take some mental notes on these mushrooms, then move onto the next book.
> You mentally note about the mushrooms and move on.
> Meiling seems a bit upset about it, but continues through hers.
>_
-
>"How is it going on your end, Meiling?"
-
>"How is it going on your end, Meiling?"
> "It could be something subconscious..." Meiling says. "Like you wanting someone to bring you back..."
>_
-
>"Where'd it say something like that in there?"
-
>"Where'd it say something like that in there?"
> "Something you missed."
>_
-
>"Hm. Let me see?"
-
>"Hm. Let me see?"
> Meiling points you to a spot in the book about the dream being controlled not actively, but subconsciously.
>_
-
>Let's give this a proper reading.
-
>Let's give this a proper reading.
> You read over.
> It does just mention what Meiling told you... How someone else could be causing this subconscious action as well. You'd hope Hourai's not the cause of this.
>_
-
>Let's read into how others can do this, especially if we have some reason to suspect Hourai.
-
>Let's read into how others can do this, especially if we have some reason to suspect Hourai.
> It seems like the simplest could be just speaking near the sleeping person.
>_
-
>Let's look for causes that are more likely to to be able to reach out from Makai.
-
>Let's look for causes that are more likely to to be able to reach out from Makai.
> Well, these effects have no definite duration. It could be something someone told you years ago, and you recall it in a dream, or something of a similar situation...
>_
-
>Let's see if there's any other useful information.
-
>Let's see if there's any other useful information.
> You read on...
> Other things you've already passed by...
>_
-
>"Hm, interesting. I suppose it could be something as mundane as that."
-
>"Hm, interesting. I suppose it could be something as mundane as that."
> Meiling shrugs.
>_
-
>"The only thing I'm really questioning, at this, point, is that I keep getting some kind of wound. It almost feels too much to be coincidental..."
-
>"The only thing I'm really questioning, at this, point, is that I keep getting some kind of wound. It almost feels too much to be coincidental..."
> "Anything in your house that could be doing it?"
>_
-
>Is there anything that could be doing it we can think of? Contemplate the nature of the wounds, against what we keep around the bed.
-
>Is there anything that could be doing it we can think of? Contemplate the nature of the wounds, against what we keep around the bed.
> You don't keep any sort of weaponry around. Your dolls, as well as Shanghai and Hourai, aren't that close to you at bed most of the time either...
>_
-
>"I don't think so, now that I really ponder it. Not enough that it happened a couple times in a row now."
-
>"I don't think so, now that I really ponder it. Not enough that it happened a couple times in a row now."
> "...Maybe something you ate? Did you rule that off yet?"
>_
-
>"I've never heard of a foodstuff that caused wounds overnight."
-
>"I've never heard of a foodstuff that caused wounds overnight."
> Meiling shrugs.
> "It was worth a thought."
>_
-
>"I mean, I've never heard of mushrooms like the ones we've had, either."
-
>"I mean, I've never heard of mushrooms like the ones we've had, either."
> "Well, maybe it was something else than the mushrooms. Something that made you hungrier too maybe? Or, is that just unrelated?"
>_
-
>"I think that's unrelated."
-
>"I think that's unrelated."
> "Are you making sure to eat enough?"
>_
-
>"Well...I have been kind of putting it off today. Which is why I was hoping to come here..."
-
>"Well...I have been kind of putting it off today. Which is why I was hoping to come here..."
> "Ah..."
>_
-
>"Let's press on, shall we?"
-
>"Let's press on, shall we?"
> "Where were we again?"
>_
-
>"Really, more eliminating possibilities than anything. I think the wounds are still key."
-
>"Really, more eliminating possibilities than anything. I think the wounds are still key."
> "How were they, exactly? Things like cuts or burns or what?"
>_
-
>"Well, they were..."
>Describe them as well as we can.
-
>"Well, they were..."
>Describe them as well as we can.
> You detail to Meiling.
> "I hope nothing worse happens from those then..." she shivers.
>_
-
>"Hopefully, we can find something to address it."
-
>"Hopefully, we can find something to address it."
>Meiling nods.
>"Maybe more about creatures or species..."
>_
-
>"Perhaps so. If we followed up on that baku possibility..."
-
>"Perhaps so. If we followed up on that baku possibility..."
> "Mm." Meiling nods again.
>_
-
>Do we think any of the sources we have might contain more on baku and other dream manipulators? Or manipulation methods?
-
>Do we think any of the sources we have might contain more on baku and other dream manipulators? Or manipulation methods?
> You aren't sure for the books you grabbed for creatures at least.
>_
-
>"Hm. Want to see if you can find anything on that vein, while I continue to look here?"
-
>"Hm. Want to see if you can find anything on that vein, while I continue to look here?"
> "What do you want me to look for specifically? And do you just want me to glance over them, or..."
>_
-
>"What we just talked about, and just gather stuff that looks good for now, we'll skim afterward."
-
>"What we just talked about, and just gather stuff that looks good for now, we'll skim afterward."
> "Alright." Meiling nods.
>_
-
>Let her get to that while we keep going through what we've gathered.
-
>Let her get to that while we keep going through what we've gathered.
> You let Meiling head off to another part of the library while you return to what you had.
> Meiling approaches you after some time within the books, telling you that it's about time the food was prepared.
> There seem to be other creatures that could affect dreams, but you aren't sure where to find any of them, and it's unlikely those were in the forest or Makai...
>_
-
>"We can set these aside until after dinner, then."
-
>"We can set these aside until after dinner, then."
> "Good~"
>_
-
>Set them aside, and let Meiling lead us toward the dining room. It's her house after all. And the break will do us good~
-
>Set them aside, and let Meiling lead us toward the dining room. It's her house after all. And the break will do us good~
> You set the books aside and follow Meiling...
> She leads you to a large room, where there are quite a few free seats...
>_
-
>Meiling knows where to sit, stay near her.
>Survey the dining room, who all is here? What're they up to?
-
>Meiling knows where to sit, stay near her.
>Survey the dining room, who all is here? What're they up to?
> You follow Meiling as she sits down.
> There are a few fairy maids carefully carrying food around. Quite a few leaving the room with food. Remilia is here, with her own plate. She seems to be waiting on something with an annoyed look...
> Sakuya sets down identical meals for you and Meiling. Both seem quite plentiful...
> "I thought Alice and I had to share? This is normal, isn't it?" Meiling asks.
> "One of the others wanted to try what you usually do, but it seems they changed their mind when it was ready..." Remilia explains. "Now, where's Patchouli, Sakuya?"
> "In the library still." Sakuya answers.
>_
-
>"Thank you very much, either way. Shall I go fetch Patchouli for you?"
-
>"Thank you very much, either way. Shall I go fetch Patchouli for you?"
> "It's ultimately her decision to eat with us or not." Remilia speaks, before jumping slightly. "A-Ah, speaking of which." She gets up with her food.
>_
-
>Nod. "Very well. And thank you for having me, Lady Scarlet."
>Start on our own meal, try to mind our manners as much as we can.
-
>Nod. "Very well. And thank you for having me, Lady Scarlet."
>Start on our own meal, try to mind our manners as much as we can.
> You begin to eat while Remilia leaves.
> Meiling seems to be eating quite eagerly. Not sloppily, but still with haste.
>_
-
>Does Remilia seem to be done, or just going to do something else?
-
>Does Remilia seem to be done, or just going to do something else?
> She's going elsewhere with her plate.
>_
-
>Very quietly: "Did I say something wrong?"
-
>Very quietly: "Did I say something wrong?"
> Meiling shakes her head.
> "I think it was to eat with Flan." Meiling whispers.
>_
-
>"Ah, I see. I thought I made some kind of obscure faux paus."
>What are we having, anyways?
-
>"Ah, I see. I thought I made some kind of obscure faux paus."
>What are we having, anyways?
> "I don't think she'd leave from that sort of thing." Meiling says.
> A kind of meat you aren't sure you've seen before. There are more pleasantly familiar sides along with it though, and a cold glass of water.
>_
-
>Relish the meal, though try not to make an obvious pig on ourselves, and observe how dinner progresses among the others.
-
>Relish the meal, though try not to make an obvious pig on ourselves, and observe how dinner progresses among the others.
> You feast controllably.
> No discussions seem to go on... Meiling's enjoying hers and will definitely be done before you...
>_
-
>To Meiling: "Such a quiet evening, isn't it"
-
>To Meiling: "Such a quiet evening, isn't it"
> "A bit." Meiling answers, before continuing.
> "There aren't any negative happenings with your dolls, are there, Alice?" Sakuya asks.
>_
-
>"Well, Hourai is always independently minded, but otherwise not really."
>We won't mention their dabbling into code.
-
>"Well, Hourai is always independently minded, but otherwise not really."
>We won't mention their dabbling into code.
> "The most recent times you've come around have been without them. Curious, is all."
>_
-
>"Ah! Well, this is personal tie for Meiling and I, and I wouldn't want to drag them into it."
>Or have them hovering over our shoulder in the meantime...
-
>"Ah! Well, this is personal tie for Meiling and I, and I wouldn't want to drag them into it."
>Or have them hovering over our shoulder in the meantime...
> "Hm. Sorry for inquiring so much."
>_
-
>Wave a hand. "It's fine, it's fine, it's an honest question."
-
>Wave a hand. "It's fine, it's fine, it's an honest question."
> "Alright."
>_
-
>Dine! We'll handle any further conversation as it comes.
>...Wonder what happens to Patchouli's food if she doesn't come for it?
-
>Dine! We'll handle any further conversation as it comes.
>...Wonder what happens to Patchouli's food if she doesn't come for it?
> In such a case, you'd believe that one of the fairy maids leaving with food had taken it to her. They were being careful with them... Otherwise, perhaps she's not eating tonight.
>_
-
>Nothing else to do but finish up.
-
>Nothing else to do but finish up.
> You continue and finish your meal unquestioned.
> "How was it?" Meiling asks.
>_
-
>"Quite lovely! I could get used to this."
-
>"Quite lovely! I could get used to this."
> "But you'll be leaving soon right?" Meiling says.
>_
-
>"Sooner or later. At least, I want to get a bit more research done."
-
>"Sooner or later. At least, I want to get a bit more research done."
> "Oh, not from the mansion." Meiling says.
>_
-
>"Ah, I see. Well, let's get back to our work, then?"
-
>"Ah, I see. Well, let's get back to our work, then?"
> "Mm... I wanted a bit more..."
>_
-
>"Oh, we can get seconds? Well then."
-
>"Oh, we can get seconds? Well then."
> "Well I'm not sure we can. But I do want more."
>_
-
>"You're not sure? Don't you eat here most of the time?"
-
>"You're not sure? Don't you eat here most of the time?"
> "Yea. But sometimes I manage to get seconds and sometimes I don't."
> "What?" Sakuya questions.
> "I-I said sometimes I manage to get done in seconds and sometimes I don't. Eating, you know!"
>_
-
>"She was chiding me for being too slow."
-
>"She was chiding me for being too slow."
> "Hm." Sakuya returns to her business, which seems to be cleanup...
>_
-
>Quietly: "Get me some, too~"
-
>Quietly: "Get me some, too~"
> "If I can."
>_
-
>"Thanks!"
>Let Meiling work ehr magic, observe dining and post-dining proceedings in the meantime.
-
>"Thanks!"
>Let Meiling work ehr magic, observe dining and post-dining proceedings in the meantime.
> You look around...
> There's still some fairies finishing up their meals. Others are putting their things away and thanking Sakuya. A few seem to be discussing you and your dolls with each other.
>_
-
>Let's try to listen in without seeming like we're listening in.
-
>Let's try to listen in without seeming like we're listening in.
> You casually focus your listening to them.
> They seem to be talking about if your dolls had died, or if you stopped making dolls.
>_
-
>How morbid... Silly faeries.
-
>How morbid... Silly faeries.
> They seem to be leaning more towards the former...
> "I'm not sure I can get any for us... Sakuya's being pretty keen now..." Meiling says.
>_
-
>"Maybe I should ask?"
-
>"Maybe I should ask?"
> "For seconds?"
>_
-
>Nod. "She may be more kind to a guest."
-
>Nod. "She may be more kind to a guest."
> "Mm... You're welcome to try..."
>_
-
>Head toward the kitchen. Try not to barge in and be in the way, as much as someone our size can, but rather try to enter discreetly and without making a fuss.
-
>Head toward the kitchen. Try not to barge in and be in the way, as much as someone our size can, but rather try to enter discreetly and without making a fuss.
> You carefully make your way to the kitchen...
> "You may leave your plate. You don't have to put it away yourself." Sakuya advises.
>_
-
>"I was wondering if there were any leftovers I could get before they're thrown away, if that's alright?"
-
>"I was wondering if there were any leftovers I could get before they're thrown away, if that's alright?"
> "Unfortunately not of what you had." Sakuya says. "My apologies."
>_
-
>"That's fine, what do you have left over?"
>At a glance, we don't actually see anything more of what we had, right?
-
>"That's fine, what do you have left over?"
>At a glance, we don't actually see anything more of what we had, right?
> You don't.
> "Some lighter snacks. Ones the fairies are fond of."
>_
-
>"That should be fine as a palette cleanser."
-
>"That should be fine as a palette cleanser."
> "Alright then." Sakuya nods.
>_
-
>"Should I just help myself, then?"
-
>"Should I just help myself, then?"
> Sakuya nods.
>_
-
>Do so! Grab some things that look nice, then bring it back into the dining room.
-
>Do so! Grab some things that look nice, then bring it back into the dining room.
> You head in carefully the rest of the way.
> There are some fairies taking the last of what's here.
> They look to you, a couple with their mouths full.
> "Showwy for your lossh." One of them says.
>_
-
>"Don't worry, they're fine."
>Present our findings to Meiling.
-
>"Don't worry, they're fine."
>Present our findings to Meiling.
> You return, not competing for the lasts with the fairies.
> "Oh... Darn." Meiling says.
>_
-
>"The faeries beat us to the what was left, sorry."
-
>"The faeries beat us to the what was left, sorry."
> "Ah... Well, it was mostly for them, I guess..."
>_
-
>"I suppose so. Oh well, I tried."
>Pat her hand sympathetically.
-
>"I suppose so. Oh well, I tried."
>Pat her hand sympathetically.
> You pat a bit.
> "So, should we get back to it?"
>_
-
>"Yeah, I think it's time."
-
>"Yeah, I think it's time."
> Meiling nods.
> "Okaaay."
>_
-
>"Don't worry, I'm sure we're onto something."
>More quietly, so we can't be easily overheard. "And you can use me as a cushion, if you want."
-
>"Don't worry, I'm sure we're onto something."
>More quietly, so we can't be easily overheard. "And you can use me as a cushion, if you want."
> "I don't wanna get in the way though..."
>_
-
>"Then you'll just have to be conscientious."
-
>"Then you'll just have to be conscientious."
> "Of course. I won't fall asleep."
>_
-
>"Well, I won't get too upset if that happens."
>Back to the library!
-
>"Well, I won't get too upset if that happens."
>Back to the library!
> You start back to the library.
> Patchouli still seems to be in the middle...
>_
-
>Let's go back to those books Meiling had collected for us, and start looking over them.
-
>Let's go back to those books Meiling had collected for us, and start looking over them.
> You return to-
> "Did you wash your hands?" Patchouli's voice questions.
>_
-
>"I used the napkin."
>We did, right? We're not an animal.
-
>"I used the napkin."
>We did, right? We're not an animal.
> Well you were going to get seconds, but weren't able to and headed for here instead.
> "Just that?"
>_
-
>"...Fine."
>Go back and wash our hands.
-
>"...Fine."
>Go back and wash our hands.
> You head back and wash your hands. Meiling does so as well.
>_
-
>Now return to the library and get back to going over that new pile of books!
-
>Now return to the library and get back to going over that new pile of books!
> You return to the library and locate the pile of books once again.
> "Which one did I have again?" Meiling asks.
>_
-
>"I think you were ready to move to a new one?"
-
>"I think you were ready to move to a new one?"
> "Okay. Thanks."
>_
-
>Grab one ourselves and get back to work.
-
>Grab one ourselves and get back to work.
> You grab a book and return to researching...
> "Hey. You think someone poisoned you or something?"
>_
-
>Does that feel even remotely plausible?
-
>Does that feel even remotely plausible?
> It does. There are things you've eaten before this and you stay in the forest too. Someone might have done something to those. But if someone did something to the forest's magic or air, you could at least consider if Marisa has been experiencing the same...
>_
-
>"I don't think so, but...it's not impossible, is it?"
-
>"I don't think so, but...it's not impossible, is it?"
> "R-Really?"
>_
-
>"I do live around the forest, it's not impossible..."
>Recall back to when we found Marisa asleep at her desk, did she talk about anything like this?
-
>"I do live around the forest, it's not impossible..."
>Recall back to when we found Marisa asleep at her desk, did she talk about anything like this?
> No, you don't believe she did.
> "Huh..."
>_
-
>"But, I think we ought to keep that in the less likely pile for now."
-
>"But, I think we ought to keep that in the less likely pile for now."
> "Okay..."
>_
-
>"But if you note anything interesting in that regard, by all means let me know."
-
>"But if you note anything interesting in that regard, by all means let me know."
>"What should I look for? Just poisons in general?"
>_
-
>"Poisons that would have these kinds of effects, I would think."
-
>"Poisons that would have these kinds of effects, I would think."
> "That all?"
>_
-
>"Hm. Something that could possibly come from the Forest of Magic."
-
>"Hm. Something that could possibly come from the Forest of Magic."
> "Alright."
>_
-
>Now let's actually get to those books...
-
>Now let's actually get to those books...
> You return to the books...
> You're starting to get tired, and haven't found much more of note that could help...
>_
-
>Suppress a groan, and keep going for a little while yet.
-
>Suppress a groan, and keep going for a little while yet.
> You continue...
> You wake a bit more as one of the books seems to have something about Makai. It's not a part of the place you really remember though...
>_
-
>Look over it to see if there's anything relevant, we'll call it a night afterward.
-
>Look over it to see if there's anything relevant, we'll call it a night afterward.
> Something about a place called Hokkai. It seems to lack miasma, from what this details.
>_
-
>Does that seem relevant to any of the issues we've been having?
-
>Does that seem relevant to any of the issues we've been having?
> No. Lack of miasma in a part of Makai seems less useful than the rest of Makai would.
>_
-
>"Ugh. That's enough for now..."
-
>"Ugh. That's enough for now..."
> "Huh?" Meiling looks over to you. "What'd you say?"
>_
-
>"I'm getting worn out... It's getting hard to concentrate."
-
>"I'm getting worn out... It's getting hard to concentrate."
> "Oh. Alright." Meiling nods a bit.
>_
-
>Once Meiling seems done, let's put these books up and head out.
-
>Once Meiling seems done, let's put these books up and head out.
> You return the books and depart from the library.
>_
-
>Head outside. What is the time of day like? Is Meiling with us?
-
>Head outside. What is the time of day like? Is Meiling with us?
> You exit the mansion completely.
> It's dark out. Definitely night, if not already starting to become morning. Though you doubt it's been that long.
> Meiling has followed you.
>_
-
>"So, what now?"
-
>"So, what now?"
> "Mm... Well, we're done reading for now, I guess..."
>_
-
>"Honestly, I should think about getting home. But I was wondering if you had any other ideas?"
-
>"Honestly, I should think about getting home. But I was wondering if you had any other ideas?"
> Meiling giggles a bit.
> "I am worrying about that sleep thing..."
>_
-
>"I'll have to report back in the morning, then. Thank you so much for your help. I realize it wasn't a very fun meeting, but it meant a lot."
-
>"I'll have to report back in the morning, then. Thank you so much for your help. I realize it wasn't a very fun meeting, but it meant a lot."
> "Reading was good. A bit worrying trying to make sure I was getting what we needed to look for, and it doesn't look like we really got it, but it was good..."
>_
-
>"I honestly wasn't expecting to find it, but closing off some avenues is just as good."
-
>"I honestly wasn't expecting to find it, but closing off some avenues is just as good."
> Meiling nods tiredly.
>_
-
>"It's late, but is there anything you'd like to do before I go?"
-
>"It's late, but is there anything you'd like to do before I go?"
> "Well, a lot. Maybe I can make it so you actually don't leave and stay up the entire night, even!"
>_
-
>Chuckle
>"That'd probably be a bad idea, but it's definitely a tempting one. I can definitely linger for a little while."
-
>Chuckle
>"That'd probably be a bad idea, but it's definitely a tempting one. I can definitely linger for a little while."
> "I'm still worried about the dream thing though..."
>_
-
>"I'm more annoyed than worried at this point. I've survived so far, and I'll keep surviving."
-
>"I'm more annoyed than worried at this point. I've survived so far, and I'll keep surviving."
> Meiling nods.
>"I'll try to get to looking more into it if I can."
>_
-
>"That's very sweet of you. But don't worry too much about it, I'll be back at some point or another tomorrow to hit the books again."
-
>"That's very sweet of you. But don't worry too much about it, I'll be back at some point or another tomorrow to hit the books again."
> "So back to trying more with Qi as you've said?"
>_
-
>"Certainly, if you would like to!"
-
>"Certainly, if you would like to!"
> "Okay." Meiling nods. "I'll even try to find out dream things with it tonight if I can."
>_
-
>Nod.
>"As for that other thing you wanted to work with, I think if you can find a way to connect with the living aspects that your clothing once had, before it was milled and processed, I think you could do it."
-
>Nod.
>"As for that other thing you wanted to work with, I think if you can find a way to connect with the living aspects that your clothing once had, before it was milled and processed, I think you could do it."
> "I hope I don't accidentally connect with something unintentional then."
>_
-
>"I don't...think it should be a problem?"
-
>"I don't...think it should be a problem?"
> "Well, who knows what could happen..."
>_
-
>"Mmm. Just keep away from wood, and you probably won't overextend yourself? I mean, your targets are close by."
-
>"Mmm. Just keep away from wood, and you probably won't overextend yourself? I mean, your targets are close by."
> Meiling shrugs.
> "Thanks anyways."
>_
-
>Chuckle. "I'm sure you'll have a surprise for me by morning."
-
>Chuckle. "I'm sure you'll have a surprise for me by morning."
> "I hope I do."
>_
-
>Lean down and give her a peck on the cheek. "I'll see you then."
-
>Lean down and give her a peck on the cheek. "I'll see you then."
> You give a goodbye kiss. Just a light one though.
> "I'll look forward to it!"
>_
-
>Smile to her, then head home.
-
>Smile to her, then head home.
> You smile and head back home...
> "Big person!" You hear along your path home.
>_
-
>Glance toward the voice.
-
>Glance toward the voice.
> It's a couple of fairies. You think the ones that were sharing mushrooms before.
> "You ate some of the mushrooms, right!" One points.
>_
-
>"Not lately, no."
-
>"Not lately, no."
> "How did you get so big then!"
>_
-
>"I'm a magician. I figured out how."
-
>"I'm a magician. I figured out how."
> "Tell us or we'll bite your ankles off!" The fairies warn after they've already begun to do so.