Keine Quest: The Broken and the Lost

[DracoOmega]

> Do we recognize that voice?

>It almost sounds very vaguely familiar, almost like it reminds you of someone. But you can't place it.

>"I'm afraid not. It's Keine. Don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble."

>You hear some footsteps and a woman opens the door. She has short brown hair and is dressed in a simple traditional robe, white with blue trim.
>"Oh, I am sorry. I don't get many visitors. It's rare to see another human in this place." She stops and stares at you for a moment. Actually, you get the feeling she's staring THROUGH you. It's a little unsettling, actually. "Oh." she says eventually. "Well, no matter. You're welcome to come in, anyway."

[Doll.S CUBE]

> Identify her, who is she?

[DracoOmega]

> Identify her, who is she?

>You've never seen this woman before, to your knowledge. She would seem fairly ordinary, if it were not for the fact that she looks perfectly comfortable being the only living human in a ghost town. She does have kind of a strange bearing to her, though.

[Doll.S CUBE]

> How could her voice remind you of someone, yet she doesn't look familiar

> Oh wait were being rude standing out here after she invited you in "Thank you" enter house

[DracoOmega]

> How could her voice remind you of someone, yet she doesn't look familiar

>You're beginning to think you must have been mistaken. You've certainly never met this person before. You wish you could figure out what it reminded you of, at first, though...

> Oh wait were being rude standing out here after she invited you in "Thank you" enter house

>You accept her offer and step inside the house. She closes the door after you, and heads towards her kitchen, retrieving various item from the cupboards. You note the same eclectic variety of decor and cookware as earlier.
>"Let me put on some tea for you. I have some fresh soup that I cooked a little earlier if you'd like some."

[Doll.S CUBE]

> Are we Hungry?

> If so politely accept offer for food

> Politely ask for her identity (I can't think of anything to say )

[Blitzer]

>Observe person.

>Wait before asking her what she is doing in what would otherwise be a completely empty town.

>Do you think you can trust this person?

[DracoOmega]

> Are we Hungry?
> If so politely accept offer for food

>You hadn't really noticed, with all that you've been preoccupied with this night, but now that the topic's been brought up, you do realize that you probably could use a decent meal.
>"Ok, let me just heat it up again a little." She takes the pot of soup and puts it back on the stove, while also preparing the tea.
>"I'm amazed this batch didn't burn on, actually. I went for a short walk earlier tonight, but forgot that I'd left it cooking. The breeze was just so lovely this evening, don't you think? So I sat and watched the moon pass behind the clouds for a little while. I guess the heat must have died out."

> Politely ask for her identity (I can't think of anything to say )

>You ask her who she is.
>"Oh, where are my manners? Do forgive me. You've already given me your name, and it would be rude of me, as a host, not to do the same. You... may call me Shiouko."

>Observe person.

>You watch her as she moves about the kitchen. She seems rather graceful, but a little... odd. But you'd have to be to live alone out here, wouldn't you?

>Wait before asking her what she is doing in what would otherwise be a completely empty town.

>You choose to wait a little before asking any personal questions.

>Do you think you can trust this person?

>It's hard to tell, having just met her a few seconds ago. But she does seem like she's genuinely trying to be hospitable, despite her oddity.

[Doll.S CUBE]

> Did she just ask us to call her Shiouko, why not give us her real name?

> Ask whether she knows what happen to the village and the shrine

[DracoOmega]

> Did she just ask us to call her Shiouko, why not give us her real name?

>Aside from her momentary hesitation, you have no reason to believe that this is not her real name. The phrasing is not an uncommon way for someone to indicate the degree of formality they wish to be addressed with.

> Ask whether she knows what happen to the village and the shrine

>"Ah, this village has a sad tale, but I'm afraid I do not know each chapter. My eyes have seen only what yours now see. Humans had already abandoned this place when I found my way here. But there was much suffering and death and hunger here. Terrible, endless hunger." Her eyes grow more haunted looking as she speaks. After staring mournfully in the distance for a moment, she seems to remember that you are here, and does her best to smile at you. "But that is a sorrowful tale to share a meal over. Come, let us speak of more pleasant things. I have not had a dinner guest since, well... In truth, I do not think I ever have."
>"As for the shrine, to which you referring?"

[Seian Verian]

> "I am referring to the Hakurei Shrine, which as far as I can tell, no longer exists. The location I knew it to be at previously has been replaced by a rather large fissure in the earth, with no apparent trace of its original existence."

[DracoOmega]

> "I am referring to the Hakurei Shrine, which as far as I can tell, no longer exists. The location I knew it to be at previously has been replaced by a rather large fissure in the earth, with no apparent trace of its original existence."

>"Hmmm.... I am not familiar with this shrine. I... do not often associate with other humans, I'm afraid. My apologies. I wish I could be more useful to you."
>"Although...." She pauses thoughtfully.  "I believe I may have heard the name itself before. But... I do not think they could help you."

[Seian Verian]

> "Ah, I see."
> Think for a moment
> "Do you have any idea if there are any other settlements that might exist, that I could find someone to talk to? If so, do you have any idea of their location?"

[DracoOmega]

> "Ah, I see."
> Think for a moment
> "Do you have any idea if there are any other settlements that might exist, that I could find someone to talk to? If so, do you have any idea of their location?"

>"Someone to talk to? Does my company not suffice?" You start to protest, but she just chuckles softly at your reaction. "Do not worry, I am not offended. You are in search of answers that I cannot provide. That much is clearly marked on your face."
>"I have wandered much in the wild places of this land, and though I do not often seek the company of others, I still have seen the signs of their presence. There are humans living near the foot of Youkai Mountain, or at least there were when I last passed near it. The kappa and tengu live close by, as well. I have wandered close to them before, but being among so many people makes me... uncomfortable. The solitude of this place is more fitting for me, though I mourn for the souls who have and still suffer here. I keep vigil for them."

[Blitzer]

>"Souls? Can you please explain?"

[DracoOmega]

>"Souls? Can you please explain?"

>She shifts uncomfortably. "It's just a figure of speech. People died here, and people left. And now, there are only two who pay respect to their graves."

[Doll.S CUBE]

> Hey wait, doesn't she have one of our things hear?

[DracoOmega]

> Hey wait, doesn't she have one of our things hear?

>Yes, you noticed a wall scroll that once belonged to you hanging in her room upstairs.

[Doll.S CUBE]

> Confess to us having been into her house when she was away, then apologies

> Inquire about the Scroll that belonged to us

[DracoOmega]

> Confess to us having been into her house when she was away, then apologies

>"Oh, I see." She pauses and stares wordlessly at you for a moment. "One could consider that quite an invasion of privacy, you realize. Yet... nothing was harmed, and you confessed without prompting or necessity. I suppose I cannot begrudge you your curiosity about who would live in such a place. I will let it pass." She pauses, and then almost, almost grins at you. "Thanks for minding the soup," she says, but her face has returned to being inscrutable before you can react to this comment.

> Inquire about the Scroll that belonged to us

>Inquire in what way? Do you wish to tell her that it belonged to you, or simply ask about it in general?

[Doll.S CUBE]

> Ask about it in general

[Kasu]

> "When you say there are two people to pay respect to the graves, were you referring to me and yourself?  Or is there another person living in this area as well?"

[DracoOmega]

> Ask about it in general

>"Ah, you went into my bedroom, too?" She frowns. "Oh, well. But yes, I think it's a rather attractive piece, and it suits the decor, don't you think?"

> "When you say there are two people to pay respect to the graves, were you referring to me and yourself?  Or is there another person living in this area as well?"

>"Yes, there is. I mistook you for her when you knocked, if you recall. As I said, it's very rare than anyone else comes here."

[Doll.S CUBE]

> "Ah, I was wandering where you got it actually"

> She called out Hina back then, could it be possible that the Curse Goddess lives around here?

[Hello Purvis]

>"I had to be sure no one was around."

[DracoOmega]

>"I had to be sure no one was around."

>"Yes, well I suppose I can understand. Don't let it trouble you."

> "Ah, I was wandering where you got it actually"

>"The people who lived here took much of what they possessed and valued with them when they left, but some things remained. Either that they were not cared about, or there was no room to take them with them, I suppose. I collect the memories of these forgotten lives." She gestures to the collection of objects on the shelves. "Most of these things came from what I found left around."

> She called out Hina back then, could it be possible that the Curse Goddess lives around here?

>It does seem to imply that. Which seems rather odd, given that she was known to dwell in the foot of Youkai Mountain, but it wouldn't be the strangest thing you've seen today. Come to think of it, Rumia also mentioned a green-haired woman living here.

[Doll.S CUBE]

> Inquire about the other resident that lives here

[DracoOmega]

> Inquire about the other resident that lives here

>"Her name is Hina. I think she's actually a goddess, although she's never made a show of it. She feeds off of people's misfortunes, which you'd think would make her a cruel and malicious person, but I she's actually a kind, if misunderstood, soul. We're both a bit alike, in some ways, I think. We did both choose to live here, after all. Ah, but look at me, claiming commonality with a goddess. Forget that I mentioned it."

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod. Examine this person a bit more closely. If she looks distantly familiar, perhaps she's someone we knew who got changed. After all, if Marisa disappeared after the Scarlet Mist, then who knows what else might have happened?

[DracoOmega]

>Nod. Examine this person a bit more closely. If she looks distantly familiar, perhaps she's someone we knew who got changed. After all, if Marisa disappeared after the Scarlet Mist, then who knows what else might have happened?

>"Oh, I think the tea's ready."
>You take a closer look at Shiouko as she takes the tea off the stove and fetches some cups from the cupboard. Her movements are lithe and steady. Her brown hair is short and wavy, framing a soft face. Though she smiles at you, her eyes look undeniably sad. You get the impression she's haunted by some personal pain, but she seems to be trying her best not to let it show. Although you still get a vague sense of familiarity from her, you can't place quite her. She does not match the description of any human you know.
>"Here you go." She places a mug of hot tea in front of you, and one for herself. "The soup should be warm enough in another moment."