Deliverator: 30 minutes or less! (Restart)

[Hello Purvis]

>Ponder. How are danmaku using humans regarded? Particularly among family and friends?
>What of magician types?

[MysTeariousYukari]

> "Thank you very much!"
> We are still flight-less, correct?
> If so to the above "Would it be to much to ask for assistance in learning flight?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Thank you very much!"
> We are still flight-less, correct?
> If so to the above "Would it be to much to ask for assistance in learning flight?"

>Before asking this, ponder family/friend thoughts on it as well. It's not like we need either of them.

[Rin Kagamine]

>Ponder. How are danmaku using humans regarded? Particularly among family and friends?
>What of magician types?

> You pause and think for a few moments, finishing your cake and tea in the process.
> It's not something that's talked about, aside from Reimu, Marisa and Sanae, but even then the ability is never mentioned outside of Incidents.  You're not actually sure how many can use them, but you don't suspect it to be a lot, if any.  Still, those three haven't received any flak for the ability, and you've never heard of anyone else getting in trouble for it.
> Wait, didn't Reimu make the spell card system so humans could defend themselves against youkai?  If so, then wouldn't that require a lot of humans having the ability to do danmaku?  Then maybe a lot can!  And either way, you've never heard a bad word about it, even from your mother, who doesn't seem to like, well, anything.
> You only know of Marisa and Alice, and Alice never leaves her house it seems, and if she does you've never seen her in the Village.  Marisa seems to get about fine.  Hell, everyone seems to like her.
> There's also the priest.  Is it the same one as at the templeship south of town?  If so, you're not sure how she's received.  You don't know much about her, even her name, and you've never been down there.
> Hmmm

> "Thank you very much!"
> We are still flight-less, correct?
> If so to the above "Would it be to much to ask for assistance in learning flight?"

> "Are you thanking me for the explanations or for the offer to teach?  If it the former then you're welcome, and thank you for being a nice guest for a late Tea.  If it's the latter then is that a rejection or are you suggesting we start?"
> That is correct, aside from cruising around on the sedan.
> "Yes, I can't teach you that.  It's something you'd want to learn after danmaku anyway, since it's for more difficult.  Plus, I never had to learn, what with latent abilities and all that."

>Before asking this, ponder family/friend thoughts on it as well. It's not like we need either of them.

> Well, flight would make deliveries so much easier.  Hell, it'd make just about everything easier.  And having danmaku would be a nice skill, since it seems to be more effective at combat with youkai than any other method, especially with that knife.  Ugh.
> Even still, didn't Reimu and Sanae both suggest it was a path worth pursuing?  Reimu seemed like she'd be offended if you let your ability go to waste. 
> It doesn't even sound like there's a downside.
> Patchouli taps the table.  "Could you answer my question?"

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>"I suppose it wouldn't hurt."

[Rin Kagamine]

>"I suppose it wouldn't hurt."

> "In that case, please follow me."
> She shakes Parsee's head, who stirs awake slowly before sitting up.  At least, she appeared to be asleep.
> Patchouli stands up and boards the sedan once more, followed by you and then a lumbering Parsee, who curls up on Patchouli's cushion and lays her head on her lap.
> Patchouli snaps her fingers and the sedan takes off, only flying a short distance before landing in an empty space between shelves.  It seems to be an area where a shelf is missing.
> Patchouli leaves the sedan while Parsee elects to stay on the cushion.  You follow Patchouli into the open area until she stops.
> "Basics of danmaku: What we're going to do here is learn how to tap into your magical ability and power stores, focus that power into energy and dipel the energy as a concentrated shot.  As a beginner, you'll need a catalyst to focus your energy through at the beginning.  For this, many people just use their hands, but you can use something else if you'd prefer, like a wand or a book or what have you.  What will you be using?"

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>"Let's got with the hands. Nothing to lose that way."

[Rin Kagamine]

>"Let's got with the hands. Nothing to lose that way."

> Patchouli nods.  "There's nothing wrong with that."
> She coughs a little, sounding forced, but continues.
> "Are you familiar with meditation?"
> A little, but not terribly good in practice.
> "Hm, what about yoga?"
> Not at all.
> "I see, then we'll start from the beginning.  The most important thing to keep in mind is that danmaku should not be something to think about.  While your ability may not be innate, you need to draw on it like it is.  With that, you should never think about danmaku while you do it.  It may sound counter-intuitive, but it works that way."
> She stands straight up and clasps her hands before her.  "Follow me."
> You assume the same pose.
> "Don't think about danmaku, don't think about bullets or power or ability or anything like that.  Instead, focus on your breathing.  More than anything you should try and clear your mind, empty mind is open canvas.  Give a few deep breaths."
> She guides you through some breathing exercises, which are easy enough.  Soon she sits on the floor, trying for a half-lotus but settling on cross-legged.
> "Breathing's easy, not comes the hard part: the mind clearing.  Try and sit still and don't think, just do.  Focus on your breathing, concentrate on my voice, and clear your mind."

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>Listen to Patchy's voice, focus on breathing. Try to clear out mind, instead of thinking about how weird this all is, or what a soothing voice Patchy has, or the ten thousand other little myriad thoughts you get when try not to think of anything.

[Rin Kagamine]

>Listen to Patchy's voice, focus on breathing. Try to clear out mind, instead of thinking about how weird this all is, or what a soothing voice Patchy has, or the ten thousand other little myriad thoughts you get when try not to think of anything.

> You close your eyes and take some deep breaths.
> Yeah it is a little weird, how can you do something without thinking about doing it?  How does that even work?
> Her voice is so wonderful, she speaks with a rhythm like she's tired but it really works for her.  Wonder why she lounges around all day in pajamas though, and why her hat has a moon on it?  Moon isn't an element...
> Wonder what's for dinner, hopefully tonkatsu since Mom hasn't made it in a while.  Haven't seen Takumi in a while, hope he's alright.  So many people to talk to today.  So much has happened, goodness.  Momiji's really cute, so was Reimu though, and that guard was downright hot, Orin was nice too...dammit, dammit youkai.
> This...isn't working.
> In and out, breathe
> Breathe
> Breatheeeeeeeeeee
> In through the nose
> Down the throat into the lungs
> Exchange oxygen
> Back out again
> In
> Out
> In
> Out
> "Focus"
> There's only breath, nothing else.
> In
> Out
> ...
> Your breathing comes naturally now.
> "Breathe and hold it."
> Hold it in.
> "Now exhale, never hold your breath in this."
> Out, in and out
> "Good, we can continue.  Don't force this, but let your energy take over.  Don't reach, feel it everywhere."
> Silence.  In.  Out.  In.  Out.  Think of nothing.
> Feeling kind of warm.  In.  Out.  Curl lips.
> "Warmth is good, you feel it.  Now connect, absorb it."
> Spread the warmth, send it to your hands.  No, it's fading, gone.  Flick eyes open.
> "You thought too much, focus too much on it and you'll get overwhelmed.  You already know what this power does, so you have to connect to it without thinking about what it truly is.  Try again?"

>_

[Kasu]

> "Sorry.  I'd like to have another go at it."
> Focus.

[Hello Purvis]

>Back to this breathing thing. Try not to get too distracted by warmth this time.

[Rin Kagamine]

> "Sorry.  I'd like to have another go at it."
> Focus.

> She nods, you close your eyes again. 
> "Point your hands palm up this time."  You oblige.
> Focusing on the breathing was a bit boring, but probably the most effective.  A lot goes on when you just breathe.

>Back to this breathing thing. Try not to get too distracted by warmth this time.

> In and out, in and out.
> In.  Out.
> In
> Out
> "Let it spread"
> In.  Out.  Warm.
> Keep it, pleasant.
> More breathing.  Warmth spreading
> Nice
> More breathing
> "Connect"
> In and out, the warmth folding
> Folding in
> Warmth fading, but different.  Not vanishing.
> "Tap it"
> In
> "Fold it"
> Out
> "Focus"
> Warmth radiates from your core, it feels amazing.
> "Slowly, send it to your hands.  Don't think, just move it."
> Breathe, chew the words.
> Warmth spreads, your arms warming.
> Spread
> Warmer
> In and out, spread.
> Hands are warm
> Warmer
> Hot
> HOT!!
> Your eyes fly open and you stare at your hands.  Your right hand glows with hot, while a small orb of electricity sits, half inside your hand, but it disappears as soon as you see it.
> "Distractions, they bring you down.  The heat isn't unnatural, it's still you, your energy, the essence behind it.  You have to keep trying though, you've almost got it.  Try it once more?"

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>Stare at hands in mute amazement.
>Holy shit, how did that happen?
>After a few moments of incomprehension have passed: "Was that supposed to hurt?"

[Rin Kagamine]

>Stare at hands in mute amazement.
>Holy shit, how did that happen?
>After a few moments of incomprehension have passed: "Was that supposed to hurt?"

> You don't have any words.  That was.....something alright!
> Energy?  But these are the hands you've used for years and that's never happened, even when you relax!
> You finally find your voice after closing your fallen jaw.
> "Hurt?  No, nothing besides the heat, but you can't do anything about the heat.  Did you feel something else?"

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>"No. Just...it was very uncomfortable toward the end."

[Rin Kagamine]

>"No. Just...it was very uncomfortable toward the end."

> "Energy concentrations will do that.  If you pump too much energy into something, it'll expend the unused energy as heat, like how a light bulb gets hot.  That's excess, unused energy.  If it's too hot then you might be pushing too much energy through.  Still, you can't exactly control your energy yet, but take solace in the fact that this heat isn't harmful.  Since it's your energy, it's your heat.  It may be uncomfortable, but stick with it and the pay-off will be tremendous."
> She waves her hand in front of her.  A spiral of bullets form around her, reaching 10 meters into the air.  Suddenly, they all take off, flying upwards and converging into one enormous bullet, which zooms down between the two of you before zipping back upwards and exploding in a shower of light.  It was quite impressive.
> "I did that without thought, which is why the linking is important.  In a battle, you won't have time to center yourself before conjuring a shot, it needs to happen like that."
> She snaps a few times for emphasis, creating a small bullet each time that flies harmlessly upward.
> "Your body will adapt to the heat, but as your studies progress you'll learn how to use your energy more efficiently.  Eventually, there won't be any wasted energy, meaning no heat."
> She scoots over and sits next to you.  "Care to try it again?"

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>"Very well."
>Give it a third go.

[Rin Kagamine]

>"Very well."
>Give it a third go.

> You close your eyes again.  It's not as difficult to get back to breathing and mind-clearing and soon find yourself back.
> Breathe in and out.
> Fill the lungs.
> Exhale.
> Feel the warmth.
> "Spread"
> It fills you
> "Fold it in"
> Then it's only in your core
> "Hands"
> Slower this time
> Warm arms
> Warm hands
> Keep them warm
> Focus on breath
> Not hot
> Breathe
> "Good.  Shoot."
> Warmth stays
> Breathe
> Coming out?
> Eyes flutter open.  Orb emerging from hand, smaller than original.
> Breathe
> Orb emerges fully, floating about your hand.
> "Perfect, you see?"
> Still so warm
> "Shoot it"
> The orb flies straight up from your hand, nowhere near as fast as Patchouli's shots had been, but it's quick enough to make you giddy.  As you watch, you feel the warmth slowly start to fade away.
> Patchouli puts her hand on your knee and shakes it.  "Excellent!  How did that feel?"

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>"Sort of like building up a huge sneeze. Only with heat instead of that nagging feeling."

[Rin Kagamine]

>"Sort of like building up a huge sneeze. Only with heat instead of that nagging feeling."

> "You mean the anticipation of doing something with the energy?  Yeah, that can be expected when you're new.  Once you learn to control it, it's not as apprehensive.  Still, you did really well for a beginner, let's try this."
> She stands up in a slight squat with her hands stretched in front of her, one hand behind the other.  You mimic that pose.
> "Try a shot like this."
> You close your eyes, dropping down to only breathing in short order as the warmth floods your body again.  You push it down towards your hand, embracing the energy as it moves.
> Soon, like a chicken laying an egg, an orb emerges from your hand, flying straight ahead without pausing upon exit.  It only flies about 20 meters before starting to peter out, but you still feel giddy.
> "Not bad, but as you can see it's not very powerful.  You're also getting quicker about it.  How's the heat issue"

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>"I don't think it was so bad, this time."

[Rin Kagamine]

>"I don't think it was so bad, this time."

> She nods.  "You're already getting a better handle on using it, that's great."
> She stretches, then coughs.  "Well, from here on it's about practice on your part.  Got any lingering questions?"

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>"More than I could likely think straight, let alone ask in a way that makes sense. Is there anything you think I need to know? Things I should look out for?"

[Rin Kagamine]

>"More than I could likely think straight, let alone ask in a way that makes sense. Is there anything you think I need to know? Things I should look out for?"

> "Need to know?  Don't go getting into fights with your skills as they are, chances are you'd get beat by anyone save for the weakest fairies.  Maybe."
> She thinks for a minute.
> "Just keep practicing, but practice away from any youkai, since they might take it as a show of force.  Honestly though, most of the big-name, meaning important, youkai shouldn't give you trouble.  They've all acted up and been whipped into shape by Reimu, so they've taken their lumps and move on.  It's the riff-raff you have to worry about, the rogues, but aggressive youkai seem to be a dying breed.  I could give you the standard warning to watch out for Medicine Melancholy, but she's about it.  Some people would say Yuka, but I don't know why.  Oh, Yukari as well, they call her Yukari-denka as well.  She's more weird than anything, but I haven't seen her around in a while.  Sorry I don't know too much, but I don't leave the library very often.  Anything specific and I might be able to help more, but for general stuff I can really only parrot the standards."
> She pauses.  "Sorry, I really can't think of anything else."

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod. "Don't worry, it's good advice. Oh! Um, are there any....um... diseases, I guess, that I need to worry about? I mean, like, things that happen to magic to make it go weird? Or stuff I really shouldn't do because it'd make me sick?"

[Rin Kagamine]

>Nod. "Don't worry, it's good advice. Oh! Um, are there any....um... diseases, I guess, that I need to worry about? I mean, like, things that happen to magic to make it go weird? Or stuff I really shouldn't do because it'd make me sick?"

> Patchouli gives you a quizzical look.
> "Diseases?  You mean like the flu and such?  I wouldn't worry about anything like that, aside from normal human illness.  Of course, I'm a youkai, so not only are our diseases incompatible with each other, we have different ones to worry about.  Even still, they only affect physical health, not magic.  The main way your magical ability can be affected is through curses, but those can be lifted without too much trouble.  After that just don't overexert yourself and you should be fine."
> She turns back for the sedan.  "Let's go get those volumes, we can talk on the way back."

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>"Okay, good. I was wondering if tapping into this made me vulnerable to those kinds of things."
>Make with the following!

[Rin Kagamine]

>"Okay, good. I was wondering if tapping into this made me vulnerable to those kinds of things."
>Make with the following!

> "No, it seems that the biggest natural risk is self-depletion and that's fixable with time, although you'll be defenseless for a while.  Just another reason why gaining Power from an outside source is important, since it gives you that well to draw from.  But since all you're doing is basic danmaku you shouldn't worry, unless you start shooting it constantly, then you'd have to worry after a few hours."
> You walk back to the sedan.  As you settle back into your cushion you become aware that the feeling of warmth in your core hasn't faded out completely yet.

>_

[Hello Purvis]

>"Is the feeling supposed to linger?"