Face, meet fist. This is Akyu Quest!

[Fightest]

> You reckon you can stay a few more minutes. What would you like to find out?

[theshirn]

> Ask for advice on building our kiai up

[Hello Purvis]

> Ask for advice on building our kiai up

>This would be the most unexpected thing. I like it.
>If she declines, try to get her to go into the generalities of the technique.

[Fightest]

> "Oh, of course! A good kiai will end a fight before it can even start. It is basically a centering of your Qi in your abdomen, and letting it out with a shout. Not many humans are really in touch with their Qi, so it'll feel strange, maybe even ineffectual at first. You gather your Qi from a series of points around your body -
> Meiling taps your crown, your neck and your chest.
> "- and a few others beyond those into one spot... "
> She pauses.
> "It's a bit of a long story, but, for the moment, you've got to try to centre your mind and focus it just a few inches behind your navel - that's where all the Qi gathers. Then you should sort of try feeling it leaving your body when you shout. From then on, it's just practice and hard work."

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod, and give the gathering technique a try.

[Fightest]

> You feel a bit silly, as nothing is really happening. Meiling nods.
> "Focus on deep, even breaths for the moment, and picture your Qi ebbing and flowing with each breath - many find that picturing it helps. Breathe with your diaphragm, not your chest. Well, it's not going to come to you immediately, but I think you'll be able to master it just fine."
> You're just about running out of time.
> You've taken some steps in figuring out combat as an art form, and the practice is doing you good. You feel in control of your own body, and, with that, you can feel a certain... serenity in your actions. Your Martial Arts has increased to 3. You can perform more actions at one time now, and you've greater control over your Moves. Your mental and philosophical balance are more steady as well now, strengthening your spirit and preventing spiritual and magical attacks from messing around with you too much.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Thank you, Meiling, but I need to go now. "
>Make was back to the faeries, quickly as possible.

[Fightest]

> You arrive back at the scene of the gathering with still a few hours before sundown. The fairies, against all expectations, are in organised groups, practicing moves, being coached by Cirno or just milling about, chatting about the upcoming attack.
> Cirno spots you.
> "Hey, how'd you go? Got whatcha needed?"

[MysTeariousYukari]

> "I am definately more ready then I was before!"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well enough."
>Give Cirno the airhorn.
>"This is how you will tell me it's time to strike, don't press it yet! When you've gathered up the enemy forces, and have them well and truly distracted, hold the button down on that once. That will tell me it's time to strike. And, if you get positively overwhelmed and have to retreat, hit it two times. That way, I can plan accordingly. If things are so bad that you think I need to retreat immediately, such as Eirin being there, hit it three times. Hold it up to the air so that the sound travels best, and you don't blow it in anyone's ear."
>"As well, I need one of your faeries. Someone who isn't particularly valuable and can follow directions well. She'll be the one we let the enemy capture and sow disinformation. It would help if she's a good escape artist."
>"In the meantime, do you have anything I can eat while on the move. I need to keep my energy up. As well, what have you found about our new troops' talents? It would be best to organize those who are good at Danmaku and those who are good at fist fighting, and so on, if you have not already ."

[Fightest]

> Cirno takes the airhorn. You were right to warn her immediately, as she was just about to test it out. She silently holds out one, then two, then three fingers as you explain its use, nodding to herself.

> "Ah, I'll give you New Kid, she's been really keen on doing stuff for you, she's in yer care!" Cirno thumbs-ups at you, then shouts at the fairy mob.
> "Hey, New Kid! You're up!"
> New Kid shoots up, and salutes, still going for the "furiously serious" expression.
> "You're with her! Listen to everything she says, and do us proud!"
> The fairy salutes again, then salutes at you too.

> "Eat? Funny you should ask! The maids from the mansion fixed us all sammiches! Totally awesome, I know. I can get 'em to whip you up something as well!"
> "Talents-wise... well, the gang's pretty much uniform. They've all got a bit of punching and shooting prow-ess, but they ain't Great Fairy. Well, I s'pose the maids are a bit better at shooting. I pretty much put 'em in groups that get along - nuttin' like fighting with yer best buds at yer side! Anywho, I'll go ask the maids to make you some sammiches!"

[Hello Purvis]

>"That's a good idea, as far as organization goes."
>Nod to New Kid. "You are going to have a particularly difficult job, if things go as I expect them to. Your task is to help deceive the enemy. Do you think you can do this?"

[Fightest]

> New Kid salutes again. At this rate, she's going to get a concussion. "I'm ready, sir! I'll do my best to be as awesome as you, sir! What do I need to do, sir?"

[Hello Purvis]

> New Kid salutes again. At this rate, she's going to get a concussion. "I'm ready, sir! I'll do my best to be as awesome as you, sir! What do I need to do, sir?"

>Nods. "You don't need to salute so hard. Alright. First, your equipment."
>Give her the compass.
>"Your first task will be to accompany Cirno's division, and help them get into position with that tool. Then you are to break away and wait for the fighting to start.  When it does, use that compass to circle around to the <compass direction opposite of the entrance and the direction we'll be attacking> and try to infiltrate Eientei. You will likely have to try to evade their defensive line. If you can, infiltrate Eientei, scout around without being caught, and try to find the Princess. If you are caught, you are to tell them you are a scout in preparation for an attack from <aforementioned direction>. Do not mention my existence, or the existence of my division to them. Please repeat all of that back to me."

[Fightest]

> "Yes sir!"
> She salutes even harder.
> "Sir! I run away and hide until everyone's confused, then run around the back, try to find the bum Princess, and if ... I'm... caught..."
> She pauses.
> "Um...what if they do nasty things to me, sir? I can't stand torture! I'm not as awesome as you are, I'll fold like a wet cloth!"
> She's giving you the kicked-puppy eyes.

[Kasu]

> Place your hands on her shoulders and look at her.
> "Don't worry.  If you're captured, we won't give them the time they need to torture you."

[Fightest]

> The fairy does not look reassured.
> "So you're saying they might torture me, sir? I'm... I'm too young to die! I'm-"
> She is interrupted by a deafening honk a few metres to your right.
> The origin of the sound is obvious. Cirno is slowly looking away from the business end of the air horn that is no more than a foot away from her face, and turning to you. She looks dazed and there are tears in her eyes.
> "I'M OKAY!" she shouts over her temporary deafness.
> New Kid turns back to you.
> "Well, okay, sir, if you believe it to be right! After all, I believe in you!"

[Kasu]

> "You'll be fine kid.  You just gotta place your trust in us."

[theshirn]

> Punch New Kid in the face to establis-wait, we already did that, didn't we

[Hello Purvis]

>"Do not forget, you're also to help Cirno's division get where they need to be. You understand how to use a compass, I hope? And do not worry about being captured. If they get you, I will personally organize a rescue party. And you will be fine. The rabbits aren't the kind of people who do that sort of thing. But, for your peace of mind, let's pretend they are. If they were, what you do tell them exactly what I've told you to tell them. It is what they want to hear. Just resist for a little bit, first. But I assure you, this won't be a problem. They're better than that."
>It'd be real nice if this were true =I

[Fightest]

> "Y-yes sir! I'll do my best, sir!"
> New Kid seems a bit more reassured.

[Hello Purvis]

>Offer her a smile.
>"Now, you know how to use a compass, yes?"

[Fightest]

> "Yes sir! Well...actually, no, sir. Don't know what it is, sir."
> She looks downcast again.

[Hello Purvis]

>"It is that thing I handed you. Here, let me show you how to use it. Hold it up. See how the colored end points north? No matter what direction you face, it will always point north. Try it."

[Mr_Bob]

>Because you know which direction (Magnetic) North is, you can discern what direction you are traveling in relation, thus always being able to find your way as long as you know the direction of the way you want to travel. (Adjusting it by about -8 degrees for Japan's Magnetic Declination.)

[Fightest]

>"It is that thing I handed you. Here, let me show you how to use it. Hold it up. See how the colored end points north? No matter what direction you face, it will always point north. Try it."

> "Oh, oh wow, sir! That's really awesome! Dunno where this "North" place is, but I think I see what you mean, sir!"
> New Kid plays around with the compass, twirling on the spot every so often.

>Because you know which direction (Magnetic) North is, you can discern what direction you are traveling in relation, thus always being able to find your way as long as you know the direction of the way you want to travel. (Adjusting it by about -8 degrees for Japan's Magnetic Declination.)

> Gensokyo exists in an isolated space, protected from all physical extraneous influence by the Great Barrier, so it will not be affected by the magnetic field permeating the outside world, you know that much. Still, the compass points somewhere, and it seems relatively stable, so it's a viable means of orienteering.

[Hello Purvis]

>"See? As long as you have it, you'll be able to know what direction you are going."

[Fightest]

> New Kid squeals with delight, then catches herself, freezes, and salutes at you. She is blushing heavily.
> "I'm sorry, sir! Don't know what came over me, sir!"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Do not worry about it. Now. close your eyes, and slowly spin around until I say stop. Once you do, I want you to use the compass to tell me the direction you are facing."
>Let her make two and a half rotations.

[Fightest]

> "Sir! I'm facing the other way, sir!"
> She salutes in the direction she is facing. A few fairies in that direction return confused looks. One or two salute back.