Keine Quest: The Broken and the Lost

[Hello Purvis]

>"The reason for coming here is a complex one, and I was hoping one of the wiser souls here could give me some insight into the problem at hand, which I fear has affected all of us."

[DracoOmega]

> Follow Sakuya

>Sakuya leaves Meiling cringing by the gate and leads you towards the main entrance. Rumia floats along after you, seemingly oblivious to the implications of what just happened. Or almost happened.

>"The reason for coming here is a complex one, and I was hoping one of the wiser souls here could give me some insight into the problem at hand, which I fear has affected all of us."

>"Hmmm.... what problem is this? Things have actually seemed fairly ordinary these past few years."

>You enter the main gallery, and she leads you up a large and elaborate staircase and down a series of corridors. Paintings, vases and sculpture adorn the hallways. The decor is almost a bit overstated, but very opulent. And very, very red.

[Doll.S CUBE]

> "You may not know it but I can sense history, and someone changed something in the past, I'm trying to find out what changed and who changed it"

> "I believe one of the changes was something after the Scarlet Mist your mistress made"

[Hello Purvis]

> "You may not know it but I can sense history, and someone changed something in the past, I'm trying to find out what changed and who changed it"

> "I believe one of the changes was something after the Scarlet Mist your mistress made"

>Let's pretty this up.
>"Let us say I am sensitive to changes in the course of events. As well, I was attacked by a strange youkai. Afterward, I've detected some fairly major changes."

>_

[DracoOmega]

> "You may not know it but I can sense history, and someone changed something in the past, I'm trying to find out what changed and who changed it"

> "I believe one of the changes was something after the Scarlet Mist your mistress made"

>Let's pretty this up.
>"Let us say I am sensitive to changes in the course of events. As well, I was attacked by a strange youkai. Afterward, I've detected some fairly major changes."

>"That is an... interesting story, but forgive me if I remain skeptical. Still, it is not for me to determine your credibility."
>You reach a small sitting room. "Wait here." Sakuya walks off through an adjoining door. It was kind of hard to notice before, but did she have a slight limp?
>After a few minutes, she returns. "The mistress will see you, now. Please follow me."

[Doll.S CUBE]

> Follow her in

> Take hold of Rumia's hand, we don't want her causing trouble

[Hello Purvis]

>See if we can discretely discern if there is a limp, or any causes to it.
>Recall what we know about Remilia's personality. Is she kosher?

[DracoOmega]

>See if we can discretely discern if there is a limp, or any causes to it.

>It's subtle, but she does seem to favor her left leg slightly. You can't notice an obvious physical cause.

>Recall what we know about Remilia's personality. Is she kosher?

>She's self-centered, rather capricious, and surprisingly polite when she chooses to be. You've had a couple encounters with her. You fought during the moon incident, but you didn't have a whole lot of fight left in you after getting your ass handed to you by Reimu and Yukari a short while earlier. She also held the occasional party at the mansion, and you attended one or two of them. She would probably be less frightening if she wasn't so powerful. Power and capriciousness are an unsettling combination. Still, you don't expect her to try to spear your heart out unless something has changed drastically.

[Hello Purvis]

>Hope all drastic changes are for the better. At least people seem normal, so far...

[Doll.S CUBE]

> Could it be possibly rude if we asked about the limp?

[DracoOmega]

>Hope all drastic changes are for the better. At least people seem normal, so far...

>There's a certain comfort in seeing known faces, even if none of them were especially familiar faces.

> Could it be possibly rude if we asked about the limp?

>It might be. Some people are touchy about that. You don't know her well enough to know for sure, but she's always seemed quite reserved.

> Follow her in

> Take hold of Rumia's hand, we don't want her causing trouble

>You take Rumia's hand, and lead her peaceably into the inner room. It is a small sitting room of sorts, tastefully appointed with tapestries in a range of scarlets and crimsons. There is a conspicuous absence of windows.  Remilia is sitting at a table in the center of the room, reading a book of some sort. She smiles when you enter. Something about it is a little unsettling. Perhaps it's just the fangs?

>"It is such a rare thing to have a guest these days. And I hear you have a rather interesting tale, as well." She glances at Rumia. "Though you keep strange company. But still, I'm curious. It's a rare person who seeks to ask the Scarlet Devil for a favor. Convince me why I should indulge you."

[Kasu]

> "I have reason to believe that past events transpired in a way that should not have been due to a discrepancy in the current timeline."

[E-Nazrin]

> Could it be possibly rude if we asked about the limp?

>Yes. Yes it would. And a real risk considering the personalities of the residents. The best we can hope for is Rumia asking on her own to cover with her childish innocence. But provoking her to do that would cause about as much trouble, so let her decide that on her own.

> "I have reason to believe that past events transpired in a way that should not have been due to a discrepancy in the current timeline."

>Subtlety.
>"As I mentioned, I am sensitive to changes in the course of events... the history, so to speak. I recently encountered an unfamiliar youkai in the woods and lost consciousness. When I woke up, things were very different. I believe I may have been unconscious for an extended period of time, or something happened while I slept that changed Gensokyo's history substantially. I ask you only for information about the events of the past few years to compare with what I remember and try to find the cause."

[Doll.S CUBE]

> "That is why I am investigating what has changed exactly and have pinpointed it to sometime after you made that Scarlet mist"

[DracoOmega]

>Yes. Yes it would. And a real risk considering the personalities of the residents. The best we can hope for is Rumia asking on her own to cover with her childish innocence. But provoking her to do that would cause about as much trouble, so let her decide that on her own.

>You decide against asking about the limp for the time-being. No need to risk antagonizing anyone.

>Subtlety.
>"As I mentioned, I am sensitive to changes in the course of events... the history, so to speak. I recently encountered an unfamiliar youkai in the woods and lost consciousness. When I woke up, things were very different. I believe I may have been unconscious for an extended period of time, or something happened while I slept that changed Gensokyo's history substantially. I ask you only for information about the events of the past few years to compare with what I remember and try to find the cause."

> "That is why I am investigating what has changed exactly and have pinpointed it to sometime after you made that Scarlet mist"

>"I am not sure I even believe that history CAN be altered. The threads of fate weave an undisrupted course from the present to today. It is always so. One cannot reach into the past to change that who's fate is already sealed. And I am far more qualified to say this than most. Still, what you ask is harmless enough, and I am curious enough to assist with this, at least. First, though, tell me of this youkai."

[Hello Purvis]

>"How all-encompassing is fate? How much is left up to things other than fate?"
>Do we have much experience with fate in our full moon duties? Or does it not enter into the equation at all?

[Kasu]

> Tell Remilia about our encounter with the youkai.

[DracoOmega]

>"How all-encompassing is fate? How much is left up to things other than fate?"

>"Oh, everything in life is determined by fate. But this does not mean that free will doesn't exist. A lot of people seem to think this is a contradiction, but they don't understand fate like I do. All actions push against the weft of fate. Some of us can just push harder. But though you can shape the course of future events, things once woven are immutable."

>Do we have much experience with fate in our full moon duties? Or does it not enter into the equation at all?

>You're not entirely sure. It may be a different way of viewing the same thing, just like different cultures have described the manifestation of the same mystical forces in different terms. History has never felt quite the same as Remilia describes, although there are some parallels.

> Tell Remilia about our encounter with the youkai.

>You describe your encounter in the woods.
>"Wings, you say? And an aura of somnolence? Vampires have been known to possess such abilities although I know of no such ones here. A... newcomer to Gensokyo such as that would be quite intriguing. If you find her, I would be.... most interested in an introduction." She flashes her fangs at you again.

[Hello Purvis]

>"I suppose this leaves two possibilities. Either this world, or the one I knew, is fake. A dream or somesuch. Or, perhaps, both are real, and I have slipped between them."

[DracoOmega]

>"I suppose this leaves two possibilities. Either this world, or the one I knew, is fake. A dream or somesuch. Or, perhaps, both are real, and I have slipped between them."

>"If either world is fake, it cannot be this one. I am quite convinced of my own existence, I assure you. To find that the life one thought they had lived was all a dream... Now THAT would be an intriguing dilemma. Although.... perhaps it is possible to slip between different possibilities? I am curious, though. What was I like in this other world?"

[Doll.S CUBE]

> "Exactly the same actually"

[Seian Verian]

> "Exactly the same actually"

>We don't know enough to make this conclusion. Instead,

> "I wasn't closely acquainted with you, though we did once meet. You had a reputation for acting something like a spoiled brat, though being capable of being extremely polite at times as well. Naturally, I would not presume to make any assumptions that you are such here."

[DracoOmega]

> "Exactly the same actually"

>Although this seems essentially correct, from what little you've seen so far, you decide to go with what you believe is a safer answer while knowing fewer details.

> "I wasn't closely acquainted with you, though we did once meet. You had a reputation for acting something like a spoiled brat, though being capable of being extremely polite at times as well. Naturally, I would not presume to make any assumptions that you are such here."

>"Spoiled brat!? Be thankful that I'll give you the benefit of the doubt about whether you're implying this about myself as well. The fear our name inspires is well deserved. Hmph... your world disappoints me. I'd hoped for triumphal marches in my honor, and the fear and respect due someone of my blood, but I- Hey, don't touch that!"
>You notice Rumia has wandered away and is currently poking a small marble bust set on a pedestal."

[Doll.S CUBE]

> Hmm, yep, definitely the same

> "Rumia stop touching that and comeback here"

[Seian Verian]

> "I know little except what I have heard, and I meant no disrespect. What reason do I have to believe that you are truly the same person in such respects? I haven't even heard what those here think of you, and I have just met you here."

[DracoOmega]

> Hmm, yep, definitely the same

>Yes, that definitely sounds like the Remilia you know. It almost brings a smile to your face, despite the stimuli being a person you find dislikable being dislikable.

> "Rumia stop touching that and comeback here"

>She makes a sort of pouting noise. "Why do you keep spoiling Rumia's fun?" She stops poking it, however.

> "I know little except what I have heard, and I meant no disrespect. What reason do I have to believe that you are truly the same person in such respects? I haven't even heard what those here think of you, and I have just met you here."

>"I will magnanimously excuse your poor choice of words. Still, if you are interested in comparative history, I think Patchouli may be able to entertain you better than I. I give you leave to speak with her."

[Doll.S CUBE]

> "Thank you for your assistance, but before I leave, what exactly happened during the time you mad the Scarlet Mist?"

[E-Nazrin]

>We don't know enough to make this conclusion. Instead,

> "I wasn't closely acquainted with you, though we did once meet. You had a reputation for acting something like a spoiled brat, though being capable of being extremely polite at times as well. Naturally, I would not presume to make any assumptions that you are such here."

See this is what I mean about subtlety. Insults, even when true, are rarely a good idea. =(

>Note that the Scarlet Mist may never have happened.
>"This may sound odd, but in the timeline I recall, there was a time when you summoned some scarlet mist to try and darken the day, which led to a bit of conflict with a few others in Gensokyo - what do you remember of it?"
>On the other hand, Patchouli's around and well. That's good.

[DracoOmega]

>Note that the Scarlet Mist may never have happened.

>You seem to recall Rumia mentioning something that sounded very much like it.

> "Thank you for your assistance, but before I leave, what exactly happened during the time you mad the Scarlet Mist?"

>"This may sound odd, but in the timeline I recall, there was a time when you summoned some scarlet mist to try and darken the day, which led to a bit of conflict with a few others in Gensokyo - what do you remember of it?"

>She grumbles. "It was an experiment, and I changed my mind. I have nothing further to add on the topic. Now, if you would be so kind as to let Sakuya escort you to the library, Patchouli may be able to provide you with some of the information you request. On other topics." The last words are said with particular firmness. She motions to Sakuya, who opens the door and gestures for you to follow.

>On the other hand, Patchouli's around and well. That's good.

>Every bit that's still the same is one more bit to be happy with. And one less problem to fix....

[E-Nazrin]

>"Thank you for your time, Miss Remilia."
>follow Sakuya