Remilia Quest

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. Wasn't that the same direction that Sloth generally flew in?
>"Well, now that that's settled, I can have Patche examine this Glaive, and then I can be off. I'll leave this matter in your care, as you have the most expertise when it comes to insects. Feel free to bring as many of the maids as you need, you might need some extra hands."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. Wasn't that the same direction that Sloth generally flew in?
>"Well, now that that's settled, I can have Patche examine this Glaive, and then I can be off. I'll leave this matter in your care, as you have the most expertise when it comes to insects. Feel free to bring as many of the maids as you need, you might need some extra hands."

>Sloth flew vaguely west, from the Hakurei shrine.
>"Who is this 'Patche'?" Wriggle asks you.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Patchouli, the resident magician of the mansion. When it comes to magical things, I tend to consult her. But at any rate, I shall leave the matter of the termites in your care. I trust you can take care of it? I'll see to it that you're compensated for your time and effort as well."

[Oldmansour]

>"Patchouli, the resident magician of the mansion. When it comes to magical things, I tend to consult her. But at any rate, I shall leave the matter of the termites in your care. I trust you can take care of it? I'll see to it that you're compensated for your time and effort as well."

>"I can take of it." Wriggle states confidently, puffing her chest and straightening her antennae in the doing. "I can convince them to find somewhere else to find lunch, somewhere safer. As Gensokyo's strongest insect youkai, my pride is on the line here."

[Hanzo K.]

>Chuckle a bit. "If you find that their queen has indeed turned Youkai, as I suspect is a possibility, resolve things the usual way, and keep her here until I return. I'd like to have a few words with her if that's the case."
>Let's step the aura up one level, then make for the Library to find patchy again.

[Oldmansour]

>Chuckle a bit. "If you find that their queen has indeed turned Youkai, as I suspect is a possibility, resolve things the usual way, and keep her here until I return. I'd like to have a few words with her if that's the case."
>Let's step the aura up one level, then make for the Library to find patchy again.

>Issuing your commands to Wriggle, the pair of you leave this hallway and return to the Grand Corridor. You make a right turn, entering into the library, while Wriggle flies on towards the entrance.
>Upon entering the library, you can see a mystic light coming from the northwest, and have a sense of gathering magic in the air.

[Hanzo K.]

>Raise an eyebrow, and go investigate with our aura subdued to minimal. Don't want to risk an interference backlash like that one time.

[Oldmansour]

>Raise an eyebrow, and go investigate with our aura subdued to minimal. Don't want to risk an interference backlash like that one time.

>Indeed not.
>Toning your aura down a notch, you fly in that direction.
>You find Patchouli in a more open area of the library, with a book in hand, her right hand stretched out to her side, a glowing magical circle surrounding her. Obviously casting a spell of some sort.
>Koakuma is standing outside the circle. Upon seeing you coming, or rather, in your new digs and armed, she raises one of her eyebrows, which also raises her head-wing on the same side.

[Hanzo K.]

>Smirk a bit. She always was amusing.
>Well, Patchy's busy, so Koa will have to do. So let's pull her off to the side, so as to not disturb Patchy.
>"Koa, this Glaive here has some sort of magical trait, but it's been so long that I've forgotten. I need it examined so I know what it can do, and since Patche is busy with her magic, you are the next best things. Being her familiar and all."
>Let's pull out the Glaive and pass it to Koa.

[Oldmansour]

>Smirk a bit. She always was amusing.
>Well, Patchy's busy, so Koa will have to do. So let's pull her off to the side, so as to not disturb Patchy.
>"Koa, this Glaive here has some sort of magical trait, but it's been so long that I've forgotten. I need it examined so I know what it can do, and since Patche is busy with her magic, you are the next best things. Being her familiar and all."
>Let's pull out the Glaive and pass it to Koa.

>Motioning to one side, Koakuma nods, and you fly a bit to the left, between a pair of bookcases.
>Other familiars you've known would be insulted at being considered 'the next best thing' to their master, but not Koakuma. No shame in being second best to a mage as talented as Patchy, and she knows it. She merely accepts the weapon and holds it out before her in both hands.
>After only a few seconds, she nods her head and mutters, "Demonic chill. This glaive strikes with abyssal ice."
>That jogs your memory. Round about the end of the 18th century, you ran afoul of a particularly aggressive vampire lord from an African country, Egypt, you believe it was. He had three elite vampire progeny as his guards, and each wielded an enchanted glaive, empowered by the vampire's hellish magics. One struck with flame, the second with lightning, and the third, this one, with icy chill. That fight was actually very taxing. Your vampiric powers surpassed theirs, but they were better at armed combat than you. It took a great deal out of you to defeat them, and only this weapon of the three glaives survived. If you're honest, it was a bit of luck that their sire fled the field after seeing his guards defeated. Had he pressed the attack, it would have been difficult indeed to best him.

[Hanzo K.]

>Chuckle a bit. "Ah yes. Now I recall how I obtained it. Quite a difficult battle that one was. Shame that this was the only one of the three to survive the fight though. You see, it was part of a three weapon set. One was attuned to fire, and another was attuned to lightning. Of those three, only this one remained. This shall come in quite handy later."
>We can let off some ham later, when we're confronting the countess. Let's get the Glaive back from her, and put it back in it's holster.
>Smirk. "Well, have an enjoyable night. I certainly will."
>Let's go off to find Reimu and the others.

[Oldmansour]

>Chuckle a bit. "Ah yes. Now I recall how I obtained it. Quite a difficult battle that one was. Shame that this was the only one of the three to survive the fight though. You see, it was part of a three weapon set. One was attuned to fire, and another was attuned to lightning. Of those three, only this one remained. This shall come in quite handy later."
>We can let off some ham later, when we're confronting the countess. Let's get the Glaive back from her, and put it back in it's holster.
>Smirk. "Well, have an enjoyable night. I certainly will."
>Let's go off to find Reimu and the others.

>"It's lost a bit of its potency over the years." Koakuma cautions you. "I would guess that it only imparts its icy enchantment when it hits something, and even then, not as strongly as it once was. So keep that in mind, if you end up having to use it." She eyes your choice in costume again, then grins. "Which wouldn't surprise me."
>"Good luck in finding this other vampire." Koa wishes you as you depart the library once again.
>As you emerge into the corridor, however, it occurs to you that you're not entirely certain where the others have gone. You pretty much left them in the lurch after you landed and noticed Mei Ling not at her post.
>You're not entirely familiar with Kogasa, Mystia or Reisen, so you're not sure where any of them would have got to in your mansion. Reimu, however, you do know. Considering her... average financial state, if she went anywhere first, it would be your kitchen.

[Hanzo K.]

>Well, let's go to the kitchen then, Reimu's probably there raiding the icebox for a sandwich or something.

[Oldmansour]

>Well, let's go to the kitchen then, Reimu's probably there raiding the icebox for a sandwich or something.

>She'd probably consider it her just rewards for saving Gensokyo as often as she does.
>Her behavior considered,  you take a right turn out of the Grand Corridor and head towards the large kitchen where Sakuya works a lot of her magic.
>You find Reisen standing outside the main doors of the kitchen, holding a deck of cards. She seems to be demonstrating a card trick to a pair of fairy maids.

[Hanzo K.]

>Chuckle. Well, Reimu does deserve at least a little something. Have to keep our allies in good condition for the coming battle after all~
>Let's walk over with our aura at step 1. "Well, that solves where you went. Now to find out where Mystia and Kogasa went. I suspect Reimu's already inside the kitchen, raiding the icebox."

[Oldmansour]

>Chuckle. Well, Reimu does deserve at least a little something. Have to keep our allies in good condition for the coming battle after all~
>Let's walk over with our aura at step 1. "Well, that solves where you went. Now to find out where Mystia and Kogasa went. I suspect Reimu's already inside the kitchen, raiding the icebox."

>None can doubt your generousity.
>Making sure your aura isn't too dramatic, you approach Reisen and her audience. Both of the fairies flit off when they see you coming in your Tepes-style ensemble. Reisen seems rather unfazed as she tucks her cards away inside her jacket. "Well, Mystia went to see if there was a theater or stage in here. I think she was thinking about putting on one of her concerts here, if she could." She gives you a small smile. "If your mansion's as big as I think, that might take her some time."
>"Reimu and Kogasa, however..." The rabbit pauses momentarily before filling in that blank. "Well, you're half right about Reimu. She DID pop into the kitchen for a minute, and helped herself to a small wedge of cheese. And then she left, along with Kogasa."

[Hanzo K.]

>Facepalm. "Ugh...Well, at least she didn't take too much, unlike Marisa. But I believe there should be something suitable for such efforts what Mystia plans. I shall have to remember her for the next party then, sometimes one needs a change of pace. I daresay her and Sakuya can compare notes on cooking as well. After all, the sushi and vegetables earlier were quite nice."
>Foreheadpalm. "I forgot to mention that to her when we found her."
>Sigh. "At any rate, let's be off. I've left handling a small insect-related matter in Wriggle's care, and I'll let Mystia roam my domain for the time. Besides, you know as well as I that if they aren't in a safe place, they'll end up just as Reimu was. I've already tasked Patchouli with erecting a full barrier against the Sin Spirits, and anyone possessed by one."
>Smirk. "After all, Troy fell to such a plot. The infamous Trojan Horse."

[Oldmansour]

>Facepalm. "Ugh...Well, at least she didn't take too much, unlike Marisa. But I believe there should be something suitable for such efforts what Mystia plans. I shall have to remember her for the next party then, sometimes one needs a change of pace. I daresay her and Sakuya can compare notes on cooking as well. After all, the sushi and vegetables earlier were quite nice."
>Foreheadpalm. "I forgot to mention that to her when we found her."

>"She may still be here when you get back." Reisen offers.

>Sigh. "At any rate, let's be off. I've left handling a small insect-related matter in Wriggle's care, and I'll let Mystia roam my domain for the time. Besides, you know as well as I that if they aren't in a safe place, they'll end up just as Reimu was. I've already tasked Patchouli with erecting a full barrier against the Sin Spirits, and anyone possessed by one."
>Smirk. "After all, Troy fell to such a plot. The infamous Trojan Horse."

>"There's just one thing I should ask, before we start flying all over Gensokyo like Youmu and Reimu did, looking the rest of the sins, and this other vampire." Reisen says. "Do you have any idea how to go about finding them?"

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well, Sloth left a rather telling clue in her departure. when she parted ways with us, she went a specific direction. That, my little rabbit friend, is where we'll find our prey. And likely Sakuya as well."
>Smirk. "You see, if there's one thing I can tell you in absolute certainty about powerful vampires who are nobility, it's that we never 'downgrade'. The lowest we ever go is a mansion much like my own. So all we need to do, is keep an eye out for any new or abnormal buildings, and that is where we shall strike."
>Chuckle a bit. "And for what it's worth, I plan to take little Rei for myself in the doing as well, such potential is being wasted on her sire. She'll be much better off in the care of someone who is quite skilled, and not ineptly turning many souls to the night's embrace as recklessly as her sire does."

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, Sloth left a rather telling clue in her departure. when she parted ways with us, she went a specific direction. That, my little rabbit friend, is where we'll find our prey. And likely Sakuya as well."
>Smirk. "You see, if there's one thing I can tell you in absolute certainty about powerful vampires who are nobility, it's that we never 'downgrade'. The lowest we ever go is a mansion much like my own. So all we need to do, is keep an eye out for any new or abnormal buildings, and that is where we shall strike."
>Chuckle a bit. "And for what it's worth, I plan to take little Rei for myself in the doing as well, such potential is being wasted on her sire. She'll be much better off in the care of someone who is quite skilled, and not ineptly turning many souls to the night's embrace as recklessly as her sire does."

>"Let me make sure I understand you here. Your plan of attack is 'fly west until you find something interesting'?" Reisen considers that for a moment. "Well, then again, this IS Gensokyo. It obviously works well enough for Reimu and Youmu."
>Reisen shakes her head. "You'll have a fight on your hands, I think, if you tried that with Rei. You saw how devoted she was to her master just as I did. I don't think you'll take her for yourself, anymore than another vampire could take Sakuya from you."
>"Of course, that doesn't mean it might not be for the best. Depends on what her master's like, of course. It's just worth noting that it isn't going to be easy for you, seperating the two of them."

[Hanzo K.]

>Smirk. "All I need to do is prove that I am the superior Vampire, and Rei's nature as a fledgling should follow the rest. You see, generally, if a fledgling is confronted with aa vampire superior to their sire, they tend to change allegiance rather quickly. She didn't when I first showed her my power, so I am inclined to believe that a more direct approach is required."
>Amp the smirk to an amused smile. "By defeating the Countess."

[Oldmansour]

>Smirk. "All I need to do is prove that I am the superior Vampire, and Rei's nature as a fledgling should follow the rest. You see, generally, if a fledgling is confronted with aa vampire superior to their sire, they tend to change allegiance rather quickly. She didn't when I first showed her my power, so I am inclined to believe that a more direct approach is required."
>Amp the smirk to an amused smile. "By defeating the Countess."

>Reisen does not seem entirely convinced. "You're the expert on vampiric nature, obviously. But from what I could tell, her devotion to the Countess was genuine."
>"I suppose we'll see for ourselves, if and when we find her again."

[Hanzo K.]

>Smirk. "Of course. Now, let's be off, we can't let those other four have all the fun!"
>Let's roll! It might take a little while to find any abnormal building, but that's what the parasol's for.

[Oldmansour]

>Smirk. "Of course. Now, let's be off, we can't let those other four have all the fun!"
>Let's roll! It might take a little while to find any abnormal building, but that's what the parasol's for.

>Your party reduced to merely Reisen, you and the lunar rabbit exit the mansion, and take flight, traveling in a generally westerly direction.
>You settle yourself in for a bit of a lengthy flight. Gensokyo may not be all that big, but it does still take a while to get from one end of it to the other, and it may well take that to find what you're looking for. Especially when you're not entirely certain how many unusual structures, if any, lie to the west of your mansion.
>After a few minutes of flight, Reisen asks you, "I've been wondering something, Remilia. Envy told us that Pride was having trouble with Sakuya. But what if Pride's beaten her? We could have to fight her, too, in addition to the Countess."

[Hanzo K.]

>Let's let out a good laugh as we search. "Why do you think I brought only my best cards this time? Besides, the odds of Sakuya being defeated are rather low, the only way they could hope to win would be if she were to run out of stamina. But she rarely ever does."
>Smirk. "Besides, she's also rather susceptible to your wavelength power, being a human and all. I've noted that Sin Spirits are bounded by the upper limit of their host's capabilities, but how much of it they can muster seems to vary according to the Sin, and the Host itself. If they end up possessing her by forcing her to run out of stamina, they won't be able to muster much of her power. And thus, will make it so even you will be able to manage. They seem limited by their host's vulnerabilities as well, so you could easily disorient her severely if that may be the case. We'll just have to tend to her afterwards is all."
>Then laugh some more. "And while she's occupied by the nasty little side effects of your ability, that will free things up for me to take care of the Countess. And if need be, I'll make certain she troubles us no more. I came prepared for the 'long haul', as it were."

[Oldmansour]

>Let's let out a good laugh as we search. "Why do you think I brought only my best cards this time? Besides, the odds of Sakuya being defeated are rather low, the only way they could hope to win would be if she were to run out of stamina. But she rarely ever does."
>Smirk. "Besides, she's also rather susceptible to your wavelength power, being a human and all. I've noted that Sin Spirits are bounded by the upper limit of their host's capabilities, but how much of it they can muster seems to vary according to the Sin, and the Host itself. If they end up possessing her by forcing her to run out of stamina, they won't be able to muster much of her power. And thus, will make it so even you will be able to manage. They seem limited by their host's vulnerabilities as well, so you could easily disorient her severely if that may be the case. We'll just have to tend to her afterwards is all."
>Then laugh some more. "And while she's occupied by the nasty little side effects of your ability, that will free things up for me to take care of the Countess. And if need be, I'll make certain she troubles us no more. I came prepared for the 'long haul', as it were."

>"Oh, I know between your power and mine, fighting Sakuya wouldn't be a problem. I doubt you'd even need me to take her, honestly. But doesn't it bother you, the idea that you might have to fight one of your friends?"

[Hanzo K.]

>"...Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. 500 years has also taught me this. Besides, My intent is for you to incapacitate her with your ability, which will likely force Pride out due to an unresponsive Host. Which will then allow me to give Pride a good thrashing for it's impertinence."
>Let's continue searching for any possible abnormal buildings that seem Western in origin.

[Oldmansour]

>"...Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. 500 years has also taught me this. Besides, My intent is for you to incapacitate her with your ability, which will likely force Pride out due to an unresponsive Host. Which will then allow me to give Pride a good thrashing for it's impertinence."
>Let's continue searching for any possible abnormal buildings that seem Western in origin.

>"I'll certainly try, but it didn't work on Reimu. Of course, Pride may not have the same skills as Sloth does. We'll have to wait and see."
>You and Reisen fly on. The rabbit seems a little... put off, by your sentiment, but makes no further comment about it.
>Twenty-five minutes of uninterrupted flight time west brings you closer to the shadow of the great Youkai Mountain. You've yet to traverse it yourself, nor have you sent any of your servants up to investigate it, but the events of the Moriya Trinity's arrival are known to you. The area between here and your mansion was unremarkable and seemingly uninhabited.
>Ahead of you is a small river scything through a grassland area. Pretty scenery, yes, but what draws your attention is the small house, more of a cabin, to the north east of your current location. It has a large waterwheel built next to it, and is definitely Western in construction. North American, you believe.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well, if we're lucky, it will work. Otherwise I'll have to knock her around a bit. But then again, I don't really mind having a little battle with her every now and again, have to keep our skills sharp somehow after all."
>Let's go investigate then.

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, if we're lucky, it will work. Otherwise I'll have to knock her around a bit. But then again, I don't really mind having a little battle with her every now and again, have to keep our skills sharp somehow after all."
>Let's go investigate then.

>You descend from the air. but Reisen follows you slower than you. "I thought you said that vampires never 'downgrade.'"