Maribel Hearn Quest - ACT I: Part 2

[AzyWng]

//I think I can handle this... If ya don't want me to try, then I'll back out for a bit.

>"Y-Yes, and we found her. She helped some, but we needed more help. C-Could you please just leave us alone? We already have things tough as they are..."

//Oscar kilo, that last part sounded extremely cagey.
Of course, I haven't even got the guts to say anything in this situation...

[Serela]

No, I don't think that really works. They're just going to ask more questions, like where's Renko now, and we definitely can't tell them to go away because that's ultra weird. We also have to have a reason to be here, because they know it's weird that we're here when we had been so far away and looking for Mokou. We can't just deflect them because they know too much.

So, let's say if we went with that last suggestion I made in my post. It'd look something like this.

>"O-oh! We did find Mokou... but Renko was supposed to meet someone here. A-actually... I think that person I saw might have been them. I didn't really trust the sound of them... I don't know for sure, though."
>Hold up the feather. "This is about all I know about them... R-renko and Chen are over there hiding too." Point over at where they are. "C-chen was knocked out when the person appeared, though... I don't know what happened..."

^parser don't actually take these actions unless another player approves them! this is more like a suggestion then "YES DO THIS". This situation is super duper dicey. And the dicest thing of all is if we start contradicting ourselves. We already said we only sort of saw Sariel and couldn't make her out, so we CAN'T go back on that, or we become ultra suspicious. And Chen being unconscious is really awkward.

[Neovereign]

//Was going to follow up with the fact that Marisa asked us about that shooter thing and now this, and that we needed to find another one of our friends, but not describe them.
 :smokedcheese:
...
Well then, GL HF.

[Serela]

//I don't think that makes sense, though. We suddenly have a third friend to account for, who doesn't actually exist? A lie that big is a pretty bad idea. And Marisa has every right to be suspicious, considering we're literally at the scene of the crime when logically we should be halfway on the other side of Gensokyo. Not to mention that, yeah, we've been at the scene of the -other- crime earlier today, the shooting. And Renko, and Ran is standing right there and knows we're supposed to have Chen with us.

[Monarda]

//Parser, way to make a tough challenge ! ^^
//So i agree with Serela's idea, being truthful and moderating the info we give is our best bet, it'll still be tough though.

[Serela]

//Yeahh, when I think about it, I can't think of any realistic way to do it apart from what I said, unless maybe we left out a little more info. They know enough that we -have- to account for why we're here, where Renko is, and it's dicey if we don't account for Chen when Ran is standing there. The only way to get around these is lying out the tush and back again, because if we leave them out I highly doubt they won't question further and get increasingly suspicious.

edit:also yeah that means take my actions from a few posts ago :V since someone's agreed and I've decided I can't think of any better way

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

//Whelp, it seems it's been several hours, and Raf seems to approve it, so I guess I'll parse it now...

>"O-oh! We did find Mokou... but Renko was supposed to meet someone here. A-actually... I think that person I saw might have been them. I didn't really trust the sound of them... I don't know for sure, though."

>You turn around to address the others as you say this.
>Marisa seems to be giving you a look of suspicion. The unknown girl, referred to as Aya, is busily writing in a notebook. Alice is standing near both of them, with Shanghai floating near her shoulder.
>"Reimu" is walking up to the group.

>Hold up the feather. "This is about all I know about them... R-renko and Chen are over there hiding too." Point over at where they are. "C-chen was knocked out when the person appeared, though... I don't know what happened..."

>Renko cautiously pokes her head out of the hiding spot as you point at her, giving you a look as if she were saying "What are you doing!?!" before a camera flash illuminates the cave.
>"Huh... This will definitely make an interesting story..." says Aya.
>Marisa studies the feather, "So... You're saying that whoever made that vortex we saw is some kind of bird youkai..." she looks you directly in the eyes, "However, how do we know you're not just lying ~ze? I mean, you could be involved in this much deeper, and you're just using some random bird's feather to throw us off whatever you're up to for all we know..."
>"I'd have to agree with Marisa on this one," says Alice, "I mean, it does seem a bit hard to believe..."
>"What is going on here?" asks "Reimu" as she catches up to the group.

>"Huh, getting a bit slow, are we, Reimu?" Aya asks, "I thought you'd be up here already."
>"Well, um, I saw something suspicious and thought I should investigate it."
>"Oh, care to tell us what it was?"
>"If it lead anywhere, I'd either already be telling you about it, or I would've already resolved it myself."
>"Ok, you have a point there..."
>"Anyway, I'll ask again, what's going on here?"
>"We found this outsider sneaking around ~ze." Marisa explains, "Her friend is hiding over there, and I think she mentioned something about something happening to Yukari's shikigami's cat..."
>"What? Something happened to Chen!?!" Ran's voice slips out before she quickly covers her mouth, "I mean, go on..."

>Aya is raising an eyebrow.
>_

[Neovereign]

>Renko cautiously pokes her head out of the hiding spot as you point at her, giving you a look as if she were saying "What are you doing!?!" before a camera flash illuminates the cave.

:ohdear:
//Well, there goes keeping Renko out of things. Possibly one step closer to Marisa finding out who shot Reimu...
^{_{Not to mention sorta betraying Renko...}}

[Monarda]

>Raf: Get a little tense due to Ran having slipped up slightly, then ask Yukari for some tea.
>"We heard a loud noise when we came here and turned to see that Chen had collapsed, then the vortex appeared and we saw the angelish looking person, yet as quick as it formed it dissipated in this strong strange wind, with the person going away afterwards, i tried to take a picture of her with my phone, but...." Show them the picture, unless there is something that might put us in trouble. "It was too dark and i couldn't risk using a flash."
>If Aya looks away for a while, look to Disguised Ran and make a "Be careful." Gesture.
>Do not process this yet.

//I tried to put in all the truth i could without risking ourselves, if there are any contradictions please point out. Also, it was our best bet, besides, if Marisa does find out, we'll find a way to protect her and calm the black-white magician down.

[AzyWng]

>Don't get tense, it'll blow her cover more easily! Be real chill.
Fahrenheit, Indigo Prophecy feeling intensifies

Suspicion:
[III-------]

Status:
[IIIIIIII--] Stressed

[Monarda]

Oh, i forgot some parts, sorry.

[Serela]

>What starlight said is good, but just omit "angelish", since that's a lot more specific than we said before about not being able to make it out. The picture being awful actually will come in handy, for once, since we don't exactly want them to get things right...

[AzyWng]

>Ugh, we want to help these folks, but since Sariel's basically got us by the nose...

[Serela]

yeahhhh we want to help sariel and yet if we say so we're gonna be joining Renko in trial :V WHAT A SITUATION. Maribel, criminal mastermind.

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"We heard a loud noise when we came here and turned to see that Chen had collapsed, then the vortex appeared and we saw the angelish looking person, yet as quick as it formed it dissipated in this strong strange wind, with the person going away afterwards, i tried to take a picture of her with my phone, but...." Show them the picture, unless there is something that might put us in trouble. "It was too dark and i couldn't risk using a flash."

>What starlight said is good, but just omit "angelish", since that's a lot more specific than we said before about not being able to make it out. The picture being awful actually will come in handy, for once, since we don't exactly want them to get things right...

>You hold out the picture of Sariel.
>"My, what horrible camera work..." Aya criticizes, "I could take a better picture with my eyes closed!"
>"I think I see the top of someone's head..." says Alice.
>"Hmm..." Marisa's eyes narrow as she studies the picture for a few seconds, "Alright, I believe you. For now... I guess we're looking for whoever this is... Are you sure you didn't get a better picture ~ze?"
>"Excuse me, but you said Chen had collapsed?" "Reimu" asks, "May we have a look at her?"
>"Huh? Why?" asks Aya.
>"Because... er... maybe we could use her to find clues as to whoever this person is..."

>Ugh, we want to help these folks, but since Sariel's basically got us by the nose...

>You'd like to help these people with the investigation, but what would happen if you spilled the beans on Sariel?
>_

[Serela]

>SUCCESS
>Hang our head. "S-sorry about the picture... it's the only one I got."
>"O-oh, Chen's over here!" Gesture towards THE BODY, then walk over to her.

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>SUCCESS

>That actually worked!

>Hang our head. "S-sorry about the picture... it's the only one I got."
>"O-oh, Chen's over here!" Gesture towards THE BODY, then walk over to her.

>You lead the group over to Renko and Chen. Renko looks between you and everyone else.
>"Reimu" rushes to Chen's side, and starts examining her.

>"So..." Aya addresses Renko, "You saw what your friend saw too, right? Maybe you can provide a better description?"
>"Um..." Renko seems to glance at you for a few seconds.
>_

[Serela]

>Shrug slightly and shake our head (as though we're disappointed about being unhelpful) with it still angled towards the ground, after a tiny glance at Renko, as if to signify confusion.

[Monarda]

>"I think she was holding something too, not sure..."
>Look at Chen and 00-Ran.
>"Do you know if she will be alright ? We couldn't find any external injuries..."
>Also get close to her ear and whisper: "I'm sorry, i should have sticked closer to her.... but let's be careful about that Aya person..."
>Turn to Aya: "Who are you anyways ?"

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>Shrug slightly and shake our head (as though we're disappointed about being unhelpful) with it still angled towards the ground, after a tiny glance at Renko, as if to signify confusion.

>Renko shoots you a quick, slightly confused look as well.

>"I think she was holding something too, not sure..."

>"Really?" Aya asks, "Well, let's see what she has to say about it."
>"Well, it was dark..." says Renko, "I couldn't make much of it out..."
>"Well, can you at least give me a basic shape?"
>"I dunno... stick-like?"

>Look at Chen and 00-Ran.
>"Do you know if she will be alright ? We couldn't find any external injuries..."

>"I think she'll be fine..." "Reimu" replies, a small hint of relief in her voice.

>Also get close to her ear and whisper: "I'm sorry, i should have sticked closer to her.... but let's be careful about that Aya person..."

>She nods in agreement.

>Turn to Aya: "Who are you anyways ?"

>"Huh, you really aren't from around here, are you?" she smiles, "I'm Aya Shameimaru. I run the Bunbunmaru newspaper. And who are you, exactly?"
>_

[Neovereign]

>"Well, Alice did just say my name..."
>"What really happened anyways? Did the strong wind do anything?"

[Monarda]

>"... so you`re a reporter ? And a fast one from what i could see, my name is Maribel Hearn, a measly... well, not-so-measly outsider, and this is my... partner Renko Usami."
>Take out our camera, but hold onto it by the strap if there is one. "So you said you could take excellent pictures right ? What can you do with my camera ?"

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"Newspaper? I'd rather not be well known in this sort of place..."

>"Well, it's sorta too late for that, this story is gonna be big, I just know it. And you've already provided assistance with it."

>"... so you`re a reporter ? And a fast one from what i could see, my name is Maribel Hearn, a measly... well, not-so-measly outsider, and this is my... partner Renko Usami."

>"Nice to meet you." Aya smiles, "And yes, I am fast, I'm actually the fastest girl in Gensokyo! It's really useful for distributing the Bunbunmaru and finding interesting stories."

>Take out our camera, but hold onto it by the strap if there is one. "So you said you could take excellent pictures right ? What can you do with my camera ?"

>Your phone doesn't have a strap, unfortunately so you just hold it firmly in your hand.
>"Well, I actually don't think I've seen a camera quite like this before..." Aya says as she examines the phone, "You know, it kinda reminds me of Hatate's camera, but less ridiculous looking..."

>"Well well well... Somehow I knew you would be here!" you hear a new voice say from near the cave entrance.
>"^{_{Speak of the devil...}}" Aya grits her teeth before turning around, "Go away, Hatate! This is my scoop!"
>"Oh come on, Aya, you honestly can't expect me to ignore something like that. I mean, practically half of Gensokyo saw whatever that was!"
>_

[Neovereign]

_{^{//My edit.....}}
>Wonder where Sariel is...
>"Uh, we already told you what we knew..."

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

_{^{//My edit.....}}

^{_{//In my defense, I gave you plenty of time to edit... You just had to pick the wrong time and edit while I was responding.}}  :V

>"What really happened anyways? Did the strong wind do anything?"

>"We don't know yet." says Marisa, "Hopefully, it was harmless..."

>Wonder where Sariel is...

>Just where could that angel be?

>"Uh, we already told you what we knew..."

>Aya seems too preoccupied with the new arrival to listen.
>"Well then, if such a large portion of Gensokyo saw it, why don't you cover it somewhere else?" Aya argues, "I mean I'm sure there's plenty of other stories going around..."
>"You know very well that we both want to cover the biggest story possible. Besides, I bet I could write this up and publish it much better and faster than you can!"
>"That's assuming anyone ever reads that birdcage liner you call a newspaper..."
>"Excuse me!?! Well at least I don't need panty shots to encourage people to read my paper!"
>"I only do that when the story is boring! _{^{Of course... It never hurts to spice up a good story with a couple of pics...}}"
>_

[Neovereign]

>Take Renko back into the cave. Preferably behind a different rock formation.

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>Take Renko back into the cave. Preferably behind a different rock formation.

>You attempt to discreetly sneak off deeper into the cave with Renko.
>"Oi! Where are you going!?" Marisa exclaims.
>_

[Monarda]

>"Trying to avoid to avoid appearing in another newspaper. Guess it didn`t work out."
>Go back.
>"So there is that red light coming from the cave, what is that ?"

[Evil_Nazgul0616]

>"Trying to avoid to avoid appearing in another newspaper. Guess it didn`t work out."
>Go back.

>You return to the group, Aya and the one called Hatate are still arguing.
>"Alright, I can understand that..."

>"So there is that red light coming from the cave, what is that ?"

>"Oh that? That's the entrance to Makai, it's covered in glowing runes ~ze. If you wanna know more, just ask Alice. Her mom is the ruler of the place, after all..."
>"Marisa!" Alice yells.
>"What?"
>_

[Monarda]

>"Huh ? So does that mean Alice is of royalty or high blood or something like that ?"
>Turn to Marisa.
>"What about you Miss Marisa, you were worried sick by Miss Reimu before, are you childhood friends by chance ?"