Poisoned Innocence ~ Medicine Melancholy Quest [Part 01]

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>Have we ever seen more than one mountain?
>Take off a bit, but stay below the tops of the bamboo behind us; scan around for the lake without being easily visible from behind.

>You have. But you're certain that one is the mountain you need to use as your guide point.

>You step out of the bamboo forest; but you make sure to keep under the height of it as you travel on.

>Su-san whizzes around you; keeping out for any sort of movement that could startle you.

>You keep your eyes out for the lake; knowing that your bearings are still a bit up in the air with the village being gone.
>However, you do catch sight of a lake; a pretty big one at that. Sure enough, there's a mansion there too.

>...

[E-Nazrin]

>Ah, excellent...
>How badly does our clothing/appearance stand out against the ground en route to the mansion? Or over the water of the lake? Or open sky?
>Is there anything resembling cover on the way to the mansion?

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>Ah, excellent...
>How badly does our clothing/appearance stand out against the ground en route to the mansion? Or over the water of the lake? Or open sky?
>Is there anything resembling cover on the way to the mansion?

>Just as planned!

>Well, almost just as planned. Your clothes aren't bright, so it's normally not a problem. Against something like the lake however, it's quite easy to spot you.

>There is no cover around you. But that is why Su-san is on constant alert. No one has been spotted yet.

>...

[E-Nazrin]

>How much of a detour would it be to go to the mansion over land only? Or is that impossible?

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>How much of a detour would it be to go to the mansion over land only? Or is that impossible?

>You could do that. But it's just easier for you to cut straight over.

>If anything, the only thing that could slow you down would be a fairy or two.
>Plus, no one is really about.

>...

[E-Nazrin]

>That we can see, at least. Even high up in the sky, looking over things?
>Head for the mansion over the ground, avoiding the lake if it's a big detour.

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>That we can see, at least. Even high up in the sky, looking over things?
>Head for the mansion over the ground, avoiding the lake if it's a big detour.

>Well, can't say it's not a possibility...

>You circle round the lake; sticking to the ground as much as possible. You spot a fairy or two on the lake, but they are minding their own business.

>You are approaching the walls of the mansion.

>...

[E-Nazrin]

>How did we enter the mansion last time? What do we know about what you're supposed to do at the mansion? We're in enough trouble, we should be on our best behavior if we don't want to get shanked here...
>>If we're aware finding the gate instead of flying right in would be a good idea, find it and keep an eye out for anyone.

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>How did we enter the mansion last time? What do we know about what you're supposed to do at the mansion? We're in enough trouble, we should be on our best behavior if we don't want to get shanked here...
>>If we're aware finding the gate instead of flying right in would be a good idea, find it and keep an eye out for anyone.

>Last time, you entered through the gate. I mean, it was a party with a lot of people; it made sense.
>Everyone was themselves; but it was a party. Outside of it, you're not really sure.
>You think it might be best to be respectful at least.

>Flying over the wall is a possibility. Of course, you've heard rumours about the walls having some form of barrier.
>Because of that, you leave the wall jumping be and continue onwards; keeping an eye out for the gate and anyone around it.

>You spot someone standing against the wall up ahead. Seems like the gate is just there.

>...

[E-Nazrin]

>What do we know about this person from the party, if anything?
>>If there's nothing plausibly dangerous about them, then approach. Gauge their reaction. When they notice us, greet politely.

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>What do we know about this person from the party, if anything?
>>If there's nothing plausibly dangerous about them, then approach. Gauge their reaction. When they notice us, greet politely.

>You're trying to rack your mind for any sort of information about this person.
>In fact, as you get slightly closer, the person isn't the only thing you notice.
>There's some sort of.. white thing floating around her.

>Wait a minute. It's that half ghost from ages ago.
>She notices you and leans off the wall. You say hello as well mannered as you can be.

>"Good day to you. It's not often you see youkai come to the gate; from what I've been told anyway."
>Su-san is making mental notes; she has two swords. Not in hand at least.
>"So, what brings you here today?"

>...

[Hello Purvis]

>"I need to talk with the magician here. And, you work here? Didn't expect that."

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>"I need to talk with the magician here. And, you work here? Didn't expect that."

>The girl nods; as does the white thing beside her.

>"I don't... exactly work here. It's just for a little while you see."
>"I'm sure that's not a problem. Why do you need to see her though? Just seems... odd for someone like you coming here."

>...

[E-Nazrin]

>How did this girl treat us previous times we've met?
>If she was friendly enough, then say, "Eirin suggested I visit to talk to her."

[Spiderpig2398]

>Do we know who was originally guarding the mansion?
>If so, ask the one with two swords what happened to her.
>If not, don't bring it up.

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>Do we know who was originally guarding the mansion?
>If so, ask the one with two swords what happened to her.
>If not, don't bring it up.

>Not really. You saw someone at the gate last time who was checking invites, but that was the only time you came to the mansion.

>Torn between the two, you decide to ask.
>"Oh nothing bad has happened to her. She's just needed for other duties."

>How did this girl treat us previous times we've met?
>If she was friendly enough, then say, "Eirin suggested I visit to talk to her."

>Well, like everyone else who came to that field of yours back then, you exchanged danmaku.
>She was nicer then some of the others at least.

>When you mention Eirin to her, her eyes widen. Looks like she knows her.
>"That doctor sent you? It must be a serious matter if that's the case."

>She begins to open the gate for you.

>...

[E-Nazrin]

>"Very. Thank you."
>Fortunately we don't have to explain what the matter is...
>Begin to enter. "Where would I find the magician?"

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>"Very. Thank you."
>Fortunately we don't have to explain what the matter is...
>Begin to enter. "Where would I find the magician?"

>The gate is now open fully and the girl allows you to go through it.

>Nice that she didn't push the topic any further.

>"You're better off asking someone inside that." The girl sighs. "That mansion is so big that I'm glad to stand out here for once."

>You have past the gates and now stand in front of a very wide mansion.
>The gardens you see before you are being attended to by fairies in maid outfits.
>The pathway you're on leads straight to the huge double doors that signal the entrance to the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

>...

[E-Nazrin]

>Do we have a maid fetish?
>What do we know about fairies? Would they be able to provide a good answer about where the magician is? If so, go ask one of them about it.
>Is there anything interesting in the garden?

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>Do we have a maid fetish?
>What do we know about fairies? Would they be able to provide a good answer about where the magician is? If so, go ask one of them about it.
>Is there anything interesting in the garden?

Su-san is curious...

>They are very loud and childish. Well, if that's anything to go by from the ice fairy that was flying around all over the place during that incident.
>Despite that, you get the feeling these fairies are probably not like her. But at the same time, they still seem to be talking amongst themselves.

>Well, there are lots of varied flowers; though nowhere near the size or quantity of that flower field.
>It stills looks beautiful.
>There's even a hint of poison in the air...

>What?

>...

[E-Nazrin]

>Hm. Let's not interrupt for now.
>Where's that poison? It's not ours, is it? Or similar to what was used in the village?
>>Check and see if it's one of the flowers in the garden.
>Listen in on the fairies; are they discussing anything interesting?

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>Hm. Let's not interrupt for now.
>Where's that poison? It's not ours, is it? Or similar to what was used in the village?
>>Check and see if it's one of the flowers in the garden.
>Listen in on the fairies; are they discussing anything interesting?

>Best leave them be for now.

>There is a faint smell of it; seems to be coming from a couple of flowers in the garden.
>But... it's not strong at all. Feels pretty weak.

>As you walk towards the doors, you listen to a couple of the fairies.

>"Ah, it's so hard to do all this stuff alone now."
>"What are you talking about? It has always been hard."
>"It's more annoying now that we're down one maid."
>"But we have the gate-keeper as the maid now. She is so much fun!"
>"Speaking of which, what should we do later?"

>...

[Hello Purvis]

>Can we suss out what the poison is?

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>Can we suss out what the poison is?

>It's pretty weak, and it's freshly grown too; natural poison. Well, it's common sense to you really, though you know when something isn't having seen some of the stuff Eirin has come up with.
>You're sure it wouldn't be THAT bad if someone were to have it; stomach aches or fevers at most. You've been around poison long enough, you know better then anyone. This wasn't anything near the level of what was used at the village.

>A couple of the fairies glance at you every now and then.
>You're almost at the door.

>...

[E-Nazrin]

>Interrupt the next one that gives us a look with "Hey. Where's the magician?"
>Is the nature of the poison from the flowers here remotely similar to that used in the village?

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>Interrupt the next one that gives us a look with "Hey. Where's the magician?"
>Is the nature of the poison from the flowers here remotely similar to that used in the village?

>You call out to the next one that catches your eyes and the fairies around her drop what they are doing.

>"The magician? Y..You mean... the bl...black white?!"
>"She's here?! Again?!"
>"Oh no. They'll get angry if she's here already."
>"How did she get in? We didn't see her!"
>"The back. THE BACK!"

>The fairies start panicking and quickly whiz around the garden; some going inside the Mansion too.
>Well, the door is open now at least. The garden is now pretty empty too.

>No. The one in the village gave off the aura of being dangerous. This one does not.
>Plus, it doesn't match up at all.

>...

[E-Nazrin]

>... well, that backfired.
>"I meant the magician that lives here..."
>Assuming no one actually hears that amid the chaos, just sigh and head inside.

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>... well, that backfired.
>"I meant the magician that lives here..."
>Assuming no one actually hears that amid the chaos, just sigh and head inside.

>Great. Just great.

>You call back out to them but they have already flipped the frickity frick out.

>Well, that was pointless. You head on inside only to be stopped by...

>DANMAKU?!

>...

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Evade!
>"Hey! What's the big deal!"

[Tamashii Kanjou]

>Evade!
>"Hey! What's the big deal!"

>You leap backwards on instinct alone and evade the spiral of danmaku that just erupted from the sides of the doors.

>You shout out into... thin air. There isn't anyone there.

>"AH HA!"

>A girl comes leaping into view at the doorway. She has long red hair with a braid on either side and aqua eyes. She is wearing a maid outfit too, though there's a star on the side of her headband.

>"I knew the trap wou... oh. You're not Marisa at all."

>She quickly bows and smiles like nothing has happened.

>"Welcome to the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Miss... erm... what is your name?"

>...