>"Any other advice?"
>128 years since what?
> ... Kasen had crazy dreams, right? Did she ever tell Satori what was up with that?
>"What did it look like?"
>Do we know about any woods with a suspicious lack of undergrowth like that?
> "So, have you been able to check on Sanae? Kasen's try didn't really pan out for her."
> Can't use a hammer, huh. Probably for the best: we like Sanae the way she is now.
> Well, not NOW, we like her in slightly less of a coma.
> Though, the peace and quiet is nice. She's not bugging us about relationships and giant puppets and things.
> Speaking of which, where's that umbrella of hers?
>"Oh right, she stayed at the shrine."
>"Yeah. It's a nice coincidence. I don't need all kinds of youkai trying to take over the place while I'm gone."
>Frown. Right, satori, youkai.
>"...You know what I mean."
>"Is Kasen still around?"
>"Do you know where she is? I imagine she has some hermit tricks for the whole dreaming thing, too."
>Nod and head upstairs. Say goodbye to Satori if she doesn't seem interested in following along.
>"Hey kitty, where's Kasen at? The pink haired one who just showed up today."
>Presuming the cat doesn't try to do anything useful, step over it and look around for hermits.
>Make our way down the halls and glance about for Kasen. If we know is there is a place where the cats tend to be fed, go there first.
>Do we know the secrets to feeding cats without mayhem? Or has Satori kindly spared us such duty?
>"Hey, that works best if you shut them out then fill up the bowls."
>Do we know of Cabbits in Gensokyo?
>Pull out gohei, enter battle stance.
>"Here kitty kitty."
> Inventory
>Produce the broom.
>"Hey, let them know to get out before I sweep them out."
>Step inside, and apply the broom to the nearest cats. Gently, but firmly.
>"Out, out, out, let's go. We'll let you back in when dinner's served."
> Gotta go fast!
>Once they are out, close the door.
>"There!"
>Replace broom.
>"They better not tattle to Satori and say I did something mean."
>Help find some dishes.
>"No problem. I do have a question for you, though. Do you know anything about lucid dreaming?"
>"How do you make it happen? I kinda need to do it tonight."
>"Something Yuuka told me after I beat her in a spellcard battle. I think it might have something to do with this whole fiasco, so I kinda don't have time for patience right now."
>Nod and get to lining them up.
>"So, what you're saying is you don't have any good hermit tricks to do it, then?"
>"Rats. I figured you hermits would be all over that kind of thing."
>"I need it for less airy reasons. Oh well, there's one more ace up my sleeve."
>"The younger sister might know something. Okay, I'm letting them in, now."
>Hover off the ground to avoid the stampede and any revenge claws, then open the door.
>"Yep. There's a reason they say herd of cats when talking about things that are hard to control. Anyways, I'm going to go find Koishi. Have fun!"
>Head toward the rabite area.
>Peer through the crack.
> Point at the Suika-rabbit. "Hey, have you seen a wild Koishi around here? Yay tall, wears a hat, causes a ruckus?"
>"Not here, huh? Okay."
>To the kitchen!
>"Bah."
>Go clean up the almonds. Glance around for Koishi hiding somewhere just in case.
> Pause, and glance in that direction without directly turning towards it.
>Finish cleaning up the almonds. Watch the door out of the corner of our eye.
>Let's approach the door. Game face on.
> Knock on the door.
>Open it.
> Disappointing. Take a mop out, close the door, and wedge the door shut using the mop under the door handle.
> We still have those marbles, right? Let's find the biggest one and see what we see in it.
> Put the marble on the kitchen counter, then make ourselves a... whatever time snack. Let's see if we trapped anyone in the closet, or if the marble attracts a certain hatted satori.
> Let's do something simple, and whip up a small pot of rice, with some pickled vegetables if Satori has some. We'll make it up to her later.
> If we have time while the rice is cooking, look through that big marble again and try to figure out how it works. Turn it around and try to look through at different angles, and pay attention for anything that looks different. We gave Koishi one of these, after all.
> You give Koishi a marble from the jar. She puts it in her skirt pocket without so much as a 'thanks' and immediately takes off down the hall with the rabbit. She has left her book behind.I... guess the marbles were in a bag, and not a jar, but... ???
>"It's a shame I don't have anyone to share this with..."
>"Hello Koishi."
>"You know, under normal circumstances I'd have to toss you into the flood parts of the courtyard and hold you underwater for thirty seconds for every bite you just took right here."
>"But, I'll let you go if you help me out."
>Give her some seconds, unless it'd clean us out completely.
>"What do you know about lucid dreaming?"
>"Naw, lucid dreaming. The kind where you're asleep and dreaming, but you still get to control things."
>"What, is that a thing you do normally?"
>"Well, not for other people, it isn't."
>"Know any tricks to help with that?"
>Groan
>"C'mon, you have to have something up your sleeve. This is what you do!"
>"I mean, do you have any trick for doing it?"
> "Well, you think there's anything you can do that could make it 'just happen' for me, too?"
> This orchid thing had better not be Yuuka messing around with us.
>Groan again and start on our portion of the meal.
>"Think of something. It's kind of important."
>Sigh and dig further in.
>"Well, let me know if you think of anything. Oh, ans Satori has your book."
>Not even going to bother...
>"Well it's not anymore."
>Let her go. We have a meal to finish.
>We'll store that serving away for tomorrow.
>Do so, then meander back toward Satori.
>"Oh good, looks like the water'll be done draining out in a bit."
>Take up position near Satori.
>"Think I'm going to try to get some sleep now, if that's alright."
>Do we have a guest room we like? Do we just take over Satori's room?
>"Uh, mind if I use the usual?"
>She knows what the usual is.
>And why we're worried about it.
>Or rather, not that worried personally, but rather worried that she's worried.
>"Hey..."
>"And thanks. And you better not be pulling an all-nighter..."
>Nod.
>"I'll try not to hog up all the covers, then. Night, Satori."
>Bedward!
> Now we lay us down to sleep, we something something to kezzzz.
>9
> Try moving our limbs. And opening our eyes, for that matter.
> ... Man, what? Sit up and get a proper look about.
> Are those our veins we see pulsing?
> Vacantly stare out the window.
>Is the light coming from the hall, or the door to the private room?
> Good thing this room is kept so tidy.
> Slump up out of bed, then saunter over and push the door open.
> Head over to Sanae's room and peek in. How's that glow of hers doing?
>Let's try to break that fall with a proper float before we smack into the wall.
> Close that window: don't want a current to come in.
> Inspect the Sanae.
> Float over and poke Sanae. "Still asleep?"
> Take hold of her shoulder and gently shake. "Hey hey, if you don't wake up I'm gonna take all of your donations."
>Rifle through her pockets real quick.
> Preempt the room making us fall by floating upside down. Beat that, room!
> Hm... try pulling on Sanae to see how the world moves.
> Oh snap bad idea! Float away from the window!
> Are there still fish swimming outside the window?
>Touch the water, and test it's consistency.
>Try to get a palmful of it.
>Grab the blob, and try to float over toward Sanae again.
>Cup our hands around it, and get into a good position in front of her.
>Then send the water jelly on an impact velocity with her face, and be prepared to deal with any perspective lurchings with flight.
>We'll give her a feather, alright. Take a good solid float so we can avoid tremors, then tickle her sides.
>Oh well.
>Let's go have a look through one of those windows, see what we can see out in the water.
>Peak back into the hall, is there anything interesting out there?
>That's not right.
>Is it?
>"Anyone out there?"
>Can we determine where the ringing is?
>Let's head downstairs.
>Let's find the lights.
> Let's make some lights then. Chuck some slow-moving danmaku around and see where the walls went.
> In particular, throw some bullets in the direction of the ringing sound, if it's still there.
>Let's just walk toward the ringing.
> Approach more quickly, now that we're not afraid of wrecking ourselves.
>Savor the odor and continue into the light.
> Look behind us.
>Let's track down that odor.
>Look around, what do we see in the vicinity here?
>Let's head to where the trees thing out.
>Follow that path for now.
>Follow thatgingivaginger!
>What does our nose tell us with regards to the direction of the ginger scent?
>Let's try the stairs, at least until the smell fades.
>Wander around the front a bit and follow our nose.
>Let's head inside.
>Remove shoes, head into the kitchen.
>Let's have a look around for gingery foodstuffs. Presuming none reveal themselves, examine the spices.
>Sniff around. Could the odor be coming from elsewhere?
> Inventory.
>Wander into an adjoining room.
>Check the ginger odors.
>Peek through the ajarness.
>Open the door. How's the smell in there?
> Step inside and look at the papers.
>And nab the crayons.
>Let's return to the hall and continue down it.
>Test the air for ginger.
> Peek inside the water closet.
> No ginger? Disappointing. Close that door and try searching along the right side of the hallway.
> Let's check that there light.
>Test the air along the way.
>Approach the scent! Cover nose if it gets too bad; a mere covering wouldn't stop us from tracking at that point anyways.
>Examine hokora.
>Do we know any prayers for Suwako?
> What can ginger roots be used for?
> Let's dig up some, then: we could use some good tea.
> After we finish that, examine the pond.
> "Sorry, no bread crumbs for you."
> What a strange place this is. Anything else interesting in this garden?
>"Suwako! Here froggy froggy"
>Do these roots seem to be the source of the smell, or does it seem to be different or emanating from elsewhere?
>Pet a fish.
>"You guys wouldn't like ginger anyways."
>Ponder if fish can eat rice.
> So in that in mind, let's find a kitcheny type place. At the very least we can get these guys some chow.
>Nab some bread. Unless we can come across some fish kibble.
>Take enough that we feel it will satisfy the fish, and head back.
>Tear the bread up into little crumbs and toss it into the pond a small handful at a time.
> "Hope you guys get your fill."
> Any parts of this place we haven't explored yet? We haven't seen any bedrooms, right?
>Leave some ginger on the hokora.
> All right, let's go explore the rest of the place.
>Let's check the door on the left.
>Check that right door.
>Take a moment to take a steadying breath, then head inside.
>Quickly hasten out.
>Once out, look back behind us into it.
>Do we remember anything about this place from our childhood?
>Do we remember having purple hair?
>Close the door. Let's head back out and test another untested door.
> Wander into the yard and look about.
> Any areas of the building we haven't visited that we know of, such as hallways?
> Have we seen anything resembling an entryway?
> Float to the roof of the place to get a bird eye's view.
> Woah. We've never seen anything like this, have we?
>Those footprints we saw in the forest; where did we diverge from them?
>Let's go follow those tracks. They're a bit more definite than cities in the distance.
>Climb the stairs and examine the black rock, and get an idea of where there is to see in the distance.
>Do we see any tracks of what was leaving the pawprints? Mud on the rock, lost fur, or the like?
>Check the other side of the rock; are there stairs there? Or pawprints on the earth?
> Well, let's follow that yellow striped roadand find a tin man, a scarecrow, and a lion.
> Hm... we're trying to puzzle out what's happening with Sanae... but we're also trying to find that flower of Yuuka's. Which direction might take us to Youkai Mountain?
> Then let's get moving rightwise.
> What kind of youkai are there here?
>Does anyone or anything seem even a little familiar?
>Examine the buildings, try to see what they are for.
> Check out that building with the flood of people.
>Why would fences need an office?
>Let's go check this place.
>Has anyone seemed to react to or recognize us at all?
>Buncha ingrates.
>A sheet of stickers sounds nice. Let's go hit the button for some stickers.
> But we NEED that money. That's not worth a bunch of stickers!
> Huff on outta that place, and see if we can, dunno, find some directions to Sanae's place.
> Well, there's a lot of people here, so easiest thing to do is to stop an innocent bystander and get directions.
>'Hey, can you give me some directions?"
>"Well, um, what's around here? I'm kinda lost."
>Point in the general direction we emerged into this place from.
>"Keep going."
>"...I don't know anymore. I'm to figure out where there is to go to, first."
>"Yeah, that's no problem. Just, completely lost. Oh, one more question, please? What is that shrine that's that way?"
>Point toward the shrine we went through.
>"The one with the ginger growing in the back yard."
>Give her a good estimate of the direction and distance from here.
>"Well, there's one out there. Don't worry about it, though. So, there's a library in Nakashima?"
>"Okay. Thank you very much, you were very helpful!"
>Once goodbyes are concluded, let's follow those directions.
>Walking's for chumps. Take to the air!
>Yukari has even more explaining to do than usual.
>Let's descend toward that building with the trees, and check it for willows.
>Look around for signs, do any of them proclaim this a library.
>Head inside! Look for maps!
>Let's have a closer look at this glowing map, see if we can find any of the names we've heard.
>"What!"
>Now someone has a whole lot of explaining to do to our gohei!
>Compare this place to geographic knowledge of proper Gensokyo.
>Let's consider our rogue's gallery for a minute. Who do we feel is most likely to blame for this?
> Also, try to trace our steps backwards on the map, and see what's listed in the area around the ginger shrine.
> So we went from underwater mansion to mystery shrine literally in the middle of nowhere. Fun. Let's see... someone with the same last name as Rin set up an... eatery? Let's go get a bite to eat and shake them down for information.
> ... Do we have any money?
>Let's go visit Soylent Kaenbyou's. Answers shall be had.
>Scan the area for a familiar red-haired youkai.
>If we do not see her, head inside.
>Do we smell meat pies? Do we hear singing barbers above the place?
>Head to the counter. and get Counterman's attention.
>"Excuse me. Is Kaenbyou here?"
>There's more than one?
>"Rin, the Kasha."
>"A very good friend. Tell her it's Reimu."
>"It's an emergency."
>Is this snot-nosed punk trying to give us the business a youkai?
>Long, uncomfortable look.
>"Your customers can wait a teeny bit longer. I said this was an emergency, didn't I? Do you think I'm lying? Do you think I just waltzed in off the street just to ruin your day? I need to talk with her, it's very important. Just tell her I need to talk with her, alright?"
>Look toward the crowd and the diners. Does there seem to be a fair deal of humans among them? And do at least some of meals seem to be meat-oriented?
>"Pardon me."
>Float up a couple feet in the air.
>Shout: "Attention everyone! Can I have your attention, please!"
>"I've been following a recent series of murders, and the trail has led me to this restaurant. The staff has refused to allow me to investigate the kitchens. While I'm not making any accusation, I feel you should all be informed of this!"
>"I'm a shrine maiden investigating this, and the murders only happened just today!"
>Settle back down.
>"There. I told you it was an emergency."
>Did we fail to recognize Utsuho? Huh.
>Cross arms and wait.
>"You know who I am, Rin. And so do you, Utsuho. Now, is there someone where private we can talk?"
>"Okay. This is a bad joke. You know I'm Reimu, and I'm about this close to reacting how we first met."
>"Sure, let's step outside."
>Make our way out. And be ready for funny business.
>Is Utsuho wearing any of the usual regalia?
>Have a seat with her.
>"Okay. This is important. You don't remember me? Not at all?"
>"So. You don't remember me coming into Chireiden when Utsuho was kicking up a fuss, a couple years ago?"
>"So you're saying she didn't get mixed up with Kanako and Yatagarasu? And that didn't cause you to send up a bunch of spirits trying to get attention so you could get help?"
>"Mhm. Okay. So what brought you out of the underground? Because something big has happened, and I need to get to the bottom of it."
>"The whole world's turned upside, being calm is the last thing I need to do. I need to find who's responsible!"
>Take a breath.
>"Okay. Who has Satori been seeing lately?"
>"The same way I know you and Utsuho, that's how. I've been there. Want me to describe what the house layout is? And before you ask, I know about Koishi too."
>Sigh.
>"Of course. It can't be that I'm right, can it? It has to be that I'm up to something. Fine. What do I have to do to prove that I'm not lying?"
>"Would you like to check my head? It's not got a single mark on it."
>Frown, rub chin.
>"Hmmm. Okay, I have kind of an idea. Do you know a Keine Kamishirasawa?"
>"Is she known to be, you know part...uh..."
>Rolling hand gestures.
>Nods.
>"That's why I want to talk with her. Because something's gone really wrong here."
>"Because I didn't know things were this wrong until finding out your forgot about me and half of history seems to have gone missing."
>"It really isn't. Where's the schoolhouse at?"
>"Most of these places look pretty samey to me, though."
>"Okay, thank you."
>Stand up.
>"Sorry to have pulled you away and stuff. But...well, you can see how important it is."
> Briefly ponder which of the people we're used to would be police.
> "No promises. Anyway, take care, and good luck with your... restaurant..."
> That'll be hard to get used to. Let's fly down that road to the schoolhouse so we don't have to get used to it.
>Glance over the people loitering around. If none of them are Keine, head inside.
>Frown at the lighting.
>Head forward. Keep an eye out for people or places that look official.
>Youkai/Human?
>"Do you know where I can find Keine Kamishirasawa?"
> Sigh, and walk up to these bratty kids. "Oi. Can you tell me where Keine is?"
>"Thanks!"
>Head up the stairs, and look for a relevant 238.
> Open that door!
>Wow she looks like hell.
>"You don't even know. First thing, do you recognize me at all? This is important."
>"Okay. Then someone's messed with history, real bad."
> Point at her. "You don't know me. Satori's pets don't know me. No one knows where my shrine is."
> Pause. "Also, the town is crazy looking."
>"And there's been incidents which have happened, and now they've not happened at all!
>"Reimu Hakurei, of the Hakurei Shrine. And there's at least two now. Utsuho Reiuji was supposed to have gone nuts with power and I had to beat some sense back into her, a few years ago. And if you never met me, then that means Kaguya and Eirin probably didn't try to hide the moon away either."
>"What?"
>"What sort of things happened two years ago around that time, and how can a shrine exist for just two weeks?
>"I think so. But, are your really saying my shrine erased itself? Because it's not supposed to do anything but be a shrine."
>"So someone's messed with history a lot. Like, a lot. And I need to know who they are so I can pound on them until they fix it. You don't think Yukari would do this, would you?"
>"Yakumo. The gap youkai. Troublemaker. Don't tell me she's disappeared too."
"Urgh.... That's just not right."
>Ponder for a moment. Who has gained the most out of this, anyways?
>"What have the Moriyas been up to?"
>We ARE still in a dream, right?
>Is it possible that this dream is not an incident, but simply meant to tell us something?
>"Do you know someone named Kazami Yuuka?"
>"As a history teacher, you must know the important historic event that took place in Meiji 18, right?"
>"Hm, I learned that was when my ancestor put up a great barrier separating Gensokyo from the outside world. "
>"What do you have written?"
>"Then where did the barrier come from?"
>"That doesn't make any sense, it doesn't work like that..."
>Ponder who would benefit the most by breaking the barrier down. This would probably rule out a lot of youkai...
>I'd bet we can get some information from Yuuka. Also, we should talk to Yukari, Remi, Satori, Eirin, Eiki ... basically the usual suspects, same as with the flooding incident.
>"So, who are the big names around here, anyways? Everything's weird and wrong, so I need to learn the basics here."
>"Those are the most influential people around, huh?"
>Nod.
>"If I need to find you again later, where should I look?"
>Nod.
>"Alright. If I need to, I will. Thanks."
>Bow and depart school. Procure gohei along the route out.
> Well, time to do what we do best: let's go pay the Moriyas a visit and...put on shadesshatter their faith.
> ... That was horrible. Let's never think that again. Let's just get going.
> ... Thank goodness Satori wasn't here to hear that.
> Those roads must be hell for carts. Who in their right mind would make such a thing?
> And we're flying and we're flying...
> Oh, those trains use those weird roads. How odd.
> Are those... tengu villages? Are they spreading?
> Well, if they're tengu then it might be all right so long as they don't revert to what they were like hundreds of years ago.
> Keep going, flying a bit lower to get a better view of those towns.
>Do we recognize which shrines are which?
>Probably not them. Let's keep going forward and up the mountain.
>Does the shrine correspond with the Moriya shrine we know?
>Target acquired. Descend upon the shrine.
>Do we recognize her?
>If the doors are open, fly inside.
>Not our problem, then.
>Go open the doors and head inside.
>Listen for a moment. Do we hear anyone?
>Float toward the deck, peek into any open doors along the way. Don't worry too much about stealth, we're not the ones that need to hide.
>Have a look around the deck.
>Did we see anything like stairs inside?
>Let's go behind.
>Identify the source of the laughter.
>Let's. Let's try not to draw attention until they can be IDed, though.
>Float and approach until noticed.
>Once noticed, brandish the gohei in Sanae's direction
>"You! What did you do!"
>"Oh you better believe I'm here! And don't think I haven't figured out what you're up to! Taking out my shrine, making everyone forget who I am! Breaking the barrier and changing everyone's past! I don't know how you did it, but you have three seconds to fix it!"
>"Sa-na-e!"
>Take out a random spell card.
>"You're about to be confused once I break my gohei over your head!"
>"What the..."
>Shake head.
>"What'd you do!"
>Try to clear out the cobwebs. If we're supposed to be asleep...then why aren't we?
>We have to be awake, right? Wait...didn't we talk to someone about something like this?
>"Stop that!"
>"Maybe! You still haven't explained yourself!"
>...Was it Satori? Yeah, that sounds like something we'd talk to Satori about...
>"It's...
>When did we see Keine?
>"...not yet 4:30!"
>What did we talk to Satori about...?
>"...I don't know. It was late!"
>"That smile better mean you're about to do a whole lot of really good explaining."
>Something conscious...something conscious. Mmm, why though?
> Scowl, and turn away from Sanae so we can get our thoughts focused.
> What were we talking to Satori about? Weren't we trying to get Koishi to do something...?
>"What?"
>That's...
>....Huh.
>"Wait. You have wings."
> Turn around and poke the fluffy wings. How strange.
>Try to fold and move them naturally.
>"Wait, why did you know that?"
>"So why doesn't anyone remember me? And all that other stuff? And why are you guys the big names here anyways?"
>"Pfft. Right. I'm sure the Devas, the Scarlets, and the Yakumos would like to have a word about that. And that doesn't really explain why pretty much everything my family did was forgotten, does it?"
> Investigate her back more. Six wings? That's craziness.
> "What're you supposed to be, anyways? A triplehawk?"
>"Why wouldn't they have problems with it here?"
>Ponder if we could grow wings.
>"Yeah, but you still haven't explained why no one remembers me or the other things. And, uh, would it be easier to talk somewhere else?"
> "Plus, we've got a LOT to talk about."
> Put on our serious face and let go of her wings.
> "Especially about your friend there."
> Point our gohei at the bronze girl, and eye her with as much suspicion as we can muster.
> Make a mental note to try to grow wings too sometime a little later, when it won't undermine how intimidating we are. Just to see if we can.
> "Yeah, sure." Keep eyes locked on bronzey as we follow Sanae. If she's gonna give us the stinkeye, we give it right back (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afbUVB3t5Sg/T-6EJgMWtrI/AAAAAAAAAL0/4XyTqpfOccw/s320/Lin+and+Korra+Stare+Off.gif).
> "I'm good. I'd rather you start explaining things. What's going on in this place? Are you messing up stuff in the real world?"
> Point at bronzey. "And who's this?"
> "Reimu. From the Hakurei Shrine." Wait to see if there's any recognition.
> Turn back to Sanae. "Whaddya mean 'parallel dimension'? You mean like how Gensokyo's cut off from the Outside World?"
> "I am worried about it. You get here by that 'lucid dreaming' stuff, right? How do you get back?"
> "Good to know." We'll pinch her cheek once we're done talking to her so she can wake the heck up.
> "So where's Yuuka? That orchid lover told me something about finding a... uh... fringed orchid to find secret worlds?"
> "I beat it out of her. I dunno what it's really about, but she's probably telling the truth."
> Glance at Kikuri. What does she look like, now that we're closer to her?
> Back to Sanae. "This house or the real house?"
> Do the broken shards we have seem to resemble that... uh, thing Kikuri has? Heck, do we still have those shards?
>To Sanae: "So what are you doing here?"
>Ponder what we can recall about dreams from that once time we had to beat Yuka's face in for messing with them.
>"And you still haven't told me why parallel dimensions or whatever means that apparently there haven't been any Hakureis ever, and you guy took over the world. It's not like we don't dream too, you know."
>Fix Sanae with a look. "That's another great question. Why do you know this?"
>"What? Of course you do! You've only been here the whole time winging it up and taking over Gensokyo while my back was turned."
>Resuming giving her the look.
>"I don't think you need me to answer that, do you?"
>"Your really want some spellcards to the face, don't you? You know taking over the world is still not allowed! And you still haven't explained why there isn't any sign of my family here, which is becoming pretty solid proof it's your fault."
>Cool voice. "Enough of a family to make that Barrier your gods were so eager to cross. Which is another big problem this place has, I should note."
>Try not to smirk at Sanae's agitation. Perhaps it is more satisfying than danmakuing her up.
>"Haven't you noticed there isn't one here? That ought to tip you off that you screwed everything up, since you of all people ought to know how important it is."
>"You're still not thinking, which is a big part of why taking over the world isn't allowed. What happens when all the magic and faith dries up? In fact, I have an idea. Let's go wake up Yukari, Remilia, and Yuugi, and you can explain them that you took over the world while they weren't looking and erased the Hakurei line. We'll see what they all have to say about that, mm?"
> "Or perhaps you're happier with Gensokyo this way? That would certainly explain why you let Kanako die in the other one."
>Stand up and grin.
>"Well then, you have nothing to fear by helping them wake up here, and telling them what you did, do you?"
>Then let the grin fall, and brandish gohei.
>"And you still haven't explained why the Hakurei line is gone in the wake of your little conquest. Because that is definitely an incident, and it's looking like it's not going to resolve until I resolve it."
>"Yeah, you just happened to take over the world and there just happened to be no Hakurei line to keep you in check, and now there just happens be to no border in place to keep things from going wrong and it just so happens that no one is even aware there's supposed to be one!"
>Float.
>"I've given you a lot more patience than I ever gave the likes of Remilia or Kaguya, and it's not done a thing. So this is the last time I'm going to say this: start fixing this, or I'm going to fix it for you."
>Back on our feet, move, and send needles toward whatever that was. Don't even take time to assess what it is right now, just send out needles and get moving.
>Just move this time, go up.
>Okay, wherever we remember there being a wall, move away from it.
>For the time being, make toward an exit, and get to somewhere where there is room to maneuver.
>Can we see straight yet?
>From above or below?
>Calculate where they must be, and drop a foot or knee right into their face with utmost fury.
>Break the grip on the twist if we can, or move along with it via flight if we can't. Doesn't matter if our shirt gets ripped in the process from the other hand.
>Does it feel like there is just one source, or that we're being attacked by multiple people? Because that is going to determine whether rules are being broken and it's time to really go apeshit.
>Send as many needles as we can toward the source. If we can't dodge, might as well make them pay for it.
>Not much else for it at the moment. Keep up the music til our assailant lets go.
>Someone has left spellcard rules behind. Now we're irate.
>Fantasy Heaven. Not the spellcard. Straight up Fantasy Heaven. Someone needs to be made an example of.
>Is there anything we can do as a spectator?
> Can we tell from the voice whose scream it was? Both Sanae and Kikuri have been talking for long enough for us to get an idea of what they sound like.
>Just relax and see what there is to see so we can get a better understanding of the situation. We'll probably have to catch ourself from falling to the ground once this is over, so be ready for that.
>Can we choose when to stop it?
>Wait it out, then.
>Assess the situation. If there are shots, move.
>"I'm as human as they come. And you've gone and done it, haven't you? You've completely disregarded the whole spellcard system."
>Glance to Sanae. "That'd be another of those problems you guys didn't think about."
>Does Kikuri show any sign of being fantasy heavened at all?
>"Go on, tell me what I don't understand. Because you've waited more than long enough, haven't you?"
>"That isn't what you said before, is it? It's another world, according to you. So, which is it?"
>"Keep explaining."
>"Then why are you in my dream?"
>"So, you had a dream in which my family and I never existed, and it was so nice that you spent several months asleep? That's disgusting."
>"You've been asleep for awhile. Sanae. In fact, it's time for you wake you, some pretty serious things have happened and we need to have a long talk."
>Glare toward Kikuri.
>"Especially without that one trying to murder people the whole time."
>"Oh, you and I are going to have a long, long talk later. You can be patient."
>Look back to Sanae. "I'm going now. I expect to see you shortly. Oh, and don't worry about where you wake up, that was due to me."
>Cheek pinch.
>Are we sore otherwise?
>Quietly extricate ourself from bed, get dressed, and go to Sanae's room.
>Give her a pinch on the cheek.
>"C'mon, Sanae."
>"Sanae, I swear if I have to go back in there after you..."
>Are there any timepieces around?
>Do we have much drowsiness left in us?
>Do we know of any timepieces nearby? If so, wander out and check.
>Then head back to bed.
>"Just me. Go back to sleep, sweetie."
>Take our own advice.
>Is this another lucid dream? Why aren't we normal dreaming now?
>Is this as restful as normal dreaming? We didn't seem to feel rested just now.
>Shake out the cobwebs, and step outside.
>Can we hear anyone?
>Head rightward.
>Survey the crowd for Sanae.
>Should she fail to show up, approach and call out "Hey! Have any of you seen Sanae lately?"
>Ugh...
>"Uh, yeah! She was with some person with bright sort of orange/brown hair and little headwings last I saw."
>Approach the crowd, and ponytail in particular. "What time was that?"
> "And which friend?"
> Hold on. Kikuri said something about her having a shrine maiden that looked like us. Maybe the Hakureis DO exist, but under a different name...?
> ... Wait, why would this Kikuri customer even HAVE a shrine maiden? If there are more gods lurking about...
> Three hours? That can't be right. We were only awake for about ten minutes, tops.
> Well, we still got Kikuri to deal with, and she might know where Sanae skipped off to. "What about Kikuri? Where'd she go?"
> We shouldn't forget to check out that fringed orchid.
> "Home? Where's her home?"
> "Hm... Hey, can you do me a favor and give me directions?"
> Which way did we come from when we first got here, at that shrine we woke up at with the ginger?
> So... we were at Kikuri's place the entire time? "Hey, uh... her place, does she grow ginger there?"
> "Never mind. Thanks, Kogasa."
> Let's go find ourselves a fringed orchid while we're here.
>Look around the garden for fringed orchids.
>Do we recognize any of the faeries?
>"Fairies, where can I find the flower youkai with green hair?"
>"Hey, do any of you know where I could find some fringed orchids?"
>"Alright, thanks!"
>Take to the air, and leave the shrine.
>Once we're a good distance away, let's pause in midair and see if we can make this dream stuff work out for us. After all, if Sanae can do it than we can do it better.
>Let's try something simple, concentrate and imagine we have downy feathers on the back of our hand, then try to force that imagine into being real through mental exertion.
>Red and white, off course!
>Smile. Now let's kick it up a notch. Try to engage in the same creation process, this time focusing on making a Yukari-style gap to the town we were at. Try to focus it on a flower shop, but really any place will do.
>Try one more time, but rather than making a fake gap, just try to fly forward a bit and end up on the street that the school was on, int he manner of dreams transitioning between unrelated places seemlessly.
>Let's try one more time, then. Stop moving, close eyes, and try not pay attention to what we're hearing or physically feeling. Try to disconnect from our senses for a few moments, then open eyes and see if anything has happened.
>Oh well, there are other ways to get this done.
>For now, time to figure out where Sanae went...
>Consider places that would likely have seen her on her way out, since we have a good view of the mountain and all.
>Mmm. Let's descend down and look for some tengu. Especially if we can find a wolf tengu patrol...
>Let's have a look at that wall.
>Wave.
>"Hey, I have a quick question for you!"
>"Did you see Sanae fly past here a couple hours ago?"
>"Thanks! You're a big help!"
>Let's move to replicate that flight path.
>Proceed toward the town, but scan the sky and the ground for Sanae-like objects.
>Land back in town, and have a look around our landing point. In particular, for people who strike us as having likely been out around that the time she would have passed by.
>Let's approach one with an open canopy on their stand. Or at least not a heavy canopy that would obscure their view of the sky.
>Huh. Does dream food count? Or dream money?
>"Maybe. Do you know Sanae? The wind priestess?"
>"You didn't happen to see her today, did you?"
>Nod.
>"Where was she going?"
>Point where we think the road goes and she's talking about. "So, that way?"
>"Also, I'll take one of those, please."
>Pay up and nab a flower.
>Dig into it while floating down the road.
>Keep following it til we get to the stairs where we saw the animal tracks.
>Pull out the light source we hijacked from SDM, and see if we can find any of Sanae's footprints around the stairs.
>Which way is the footprint headed?
>Follow it.
>Head toward the glow. Get our gohei ready just in case.
>Put the wisp away, and examine the area around the broom, just to make sure there's been no foul play. No one would leave a perfectly good broom out where the faeries could steal it!
>Listen. Can we hear anything?
>Fly toward the voices!
>Can we still hear the voices? If so, can we make out who they are?
I assumed the orchid was more metaphorical than physical by this point.Your face is metaphorical. Also, I swore Sanae had said there were fringed orchids here, but I can't remember.
>Back away!
>Try to figure out what poked us, and if there's any more to come.
>"Uh, hey."
>"You kids haven't seen a green-haired wind priestess around here, have you? Goes by Sanae?"
>WTF, are these young versions of Kasen and Konngara?
>Shit, how do you deal with kids?
>"Don't worry, I'm not up to anything, I'm just looking for my friend."
> Help up mini Konngara.
>Wonder if there's young versions of Yuugi and ... well a normal version of Suika.
>"I'm Reimu."
> Do NOT say their names until they introduce themselves: we don't wanna freak 'em out.
>"So, you two live back there?"
>Nod toward the shrine.
> Betcha Mini Konngara was the one who left that broom lying around. We'll need to give her a good talking to.
> "Yeah? What is it?"
> When was the last time we've seen Konngara? Er, big Konngara, not baby Konngara.
> Mock surprise. "Oh, so she does speak!"
> "Dunno. I was talking to her on the mountain earlier, but I lost track of time and can't find her."
> Pat the li'l oni on the head with a smirk.
> "I know exactly where I am. Sorta. It's just that Sanae isn't where she outta be: somewhere I can find her. Is... Kikuri around? I heard she was with Sanae."
> Huh. Guess this isn't her shrine after all.
> Cooly ignore judgemental stare: if big Kasen can't judge us, neither can little Kasen. "I see. Well, it's getting late, so you kids better head back to your homes. And make sure your brooms are all put away: that's an important tool for a shrine maiden." Give Konngara a significant look at that.
> Oh, good, they DO know Kikuri. "It's your choice: don't blame me if you two get gobbled up." Smile to let them know we're joking. Sorta.
> "So Kikuri's nearby? At the shrine?"
> "All right. Thanks."
> Pat Konngara on the head one more time, for good measure, then head back to the shrine.
> Before entering the shrine, pick up that broom and find a good place to put it away.
> Let's lean it against a wall and under a roof or other kind of overhead, just in case it rains. Then, stride on in like we own the place, looking for Kikuri.
> ... This must be what it feels like on the other end of random youkai and Marisa bursting in on our shrine.
>Do we hear anyone?
>Let's head for that room. The one we didn't like at all. Don't enter it, but approach it and peek inside if the door is still open.
> Carefully try at the door to see if it's unlocked.
> Take a deep breath, then open the door.
> Swallow, then steel our nerves. We've faced off against all kinds of trouble, a single room shouldn't be this terrible!
> Let the wisp enter first, then follow it inside.
> Try to get a grip on ourselves, and look around to see if anything stands out. There's got to be something making us feel like this...
> The hell. Flip that table in frustration and totally not because we're trying our best to run all the way home.
> There. That'll learn it.
> ... Okay sod this we're out. Dart out of the room and try to breathe.
> Slam that door shut! Stupid room, that'll teach it!
> What WAS that? Is the room haunted?
> Lean against the wall and rest a bit. Can we think of anything that would make that room feel like, well, that?
> Listen to hear if anyone reacted to us sealing that den of evil.
> What sort of preparations would we need to make to exorcise this room? It can't be healthy for mini Konngara to live in a haunted shrine.
> BRING (http://s3.postimg.org/f41fd1jf7/goddamn_Salt3.png) THE SALT (http://s24.postimg.org/wttd5x5hh/goddamn_Salt4.png).
> Well, once we find it. Scour the shrine high and low for the necessary supplies and a lantern.
> Oh hey, packhor- er, assistants.
> Call out. "Is that you Konngara? I need your help with something!"
>"konngara its time for you to live up to your miko name and face full life consequences"
> "All right kids, time to learn an important shrine maiden skill: how to exorcise hauntings. Take some of these things and meet me next to the evil room."
> What steps need to be prepared?
>Is it safe for oni to handle ofuda?
>Do we recall any proper exorcizin' chants and such?
> "Yeah. There's a haunted roon that's evil and depressing. Some schmuck probably hung 'emselves in it or something. So, you two get to learn my awesome exorcism techniques."
> Lead them to that room. Does the salt need to go inside the room?
> "They ticked me off first, but fair enough. 'Schmoes', then."
> Take a deep breath, and open the door.
> "Whoa, hey, be careful!"
> Kasen's not affected? Hm... Well, maybe the evil room likes kids or something. Might make it easier to exorcise, then.
> Hrn... "Hey... Konngara. You feel it too?"
> Nod. "You must have well trained spiritual senses." Or something.
> "Okay, Kasen, pay attention. You're gonna have to follow my instructions and lay the salt down like I tell you to. Konngara, give her a hand if you feel like you can, otherwise you can help me get this stuff ready."
> "Sure, gimme a hand. And, uh, can you tell Kasen where the light switch is? Wait."
> We got a lantern! Let's light it and shine it into the room!
> "... Kids, it's a lantern." Those kids are weird.
> Let's get these kids to work. Direct Kasen on how to lay the salt, and assign Konngara to some kind of task. Have her make sure the bells are good or something. She can be our assistant during the actual exorcising.
> Arch an eyebrow at Konngara, but keep focus on making sure Kasen is making the salt circle correctly.
> "Good, good. Any thoughts on your mind?"
>"You wouldn't believe me if I told you the truth. If it makes you feel better, Sanae could have told me your names."
>Continue with the ritual.
>Now that we have the salt laid out, what comes next for exorcizin'?
>Think back. Have we even done an exorcism before?
>Think Reimu. Which was the last one? We gotta be able to remember the right order!
>Bells then chant, then. That sounds like it should work.
>Gesture for her to hand them over.
>Ring that bell like Chuck Berry playing a guitar, and then chant.
>Should have driven the kids out. Too late for that now!
>Keep up the chant!
>Finish it off.
>Does it still feel strange?
>"There."
>Examine the room for any further oddities.
>Unflip the table.
>"So, you two have any ideas where Sanae might be? I'm pretty sure I followed her here."
>"That'd help."
>Schlep out of the room as well. Try to see if we can remember how we originally got to the shrine while the kids scurry about.
>Let's see if we can pick out that path from here.
>Call back inside: "Any luck?"
>Give 'em a few more minutes to scurry about.
>Glance toward the tug.
>"What's up?"
>"I found 'em.
>Produce from sleeves and hand them over.
>"Remember to put your things away when you're done using them."
>"Okay, you guys keep an eye out here. I'm going to go look around the forest a bit."
>Head out and try to retrace the steps that first brought us here.
>Put a hand on that wall.
> Can we, uh, float on through? Or is that a not possible thing?
> Didn't think so. So no going back to Satori's underwater mansion, then.
> Tap on the wall a few times and tug on the vines before giving up and returning to the shrine. Weird that the kids are the only ones around.
> "Hey, good job with that salt. Where's the other one?"
> "Really? Where?"
> "Thanks."
> To the pond.
>"Hey, Sanae."
>Go and kneel beside Sanae.
>"Hey, you."
>So very tempting to push her into the pond...
>Is she still all wingly?
>"It's time to go."
>"Back to the waking world. We got things to do."
>"Urgh. Why not?"
>"Because if you don't, that dippy umbrella of yours will never leave me alone."
>"So let's go before Koishi decides to jump on the bed you're on and also you."
>Is she looking at us?
>Quietly reach over with our dominant thumb and forefinger with as little movement as possible toward her face, and pinch dat cheek with the force of Sanae's weight in crabs.
>"Don't worry kids, everything is fine."
>Pinch our own cheek with considerably less fury.
> Try to not disturb her while we try to figure out what time it is.
> Wriggle out of the bed without disturbing Satori: we can check up on Sanae to see if that pinch worked, then go surprise Satori with breakfast.
> That... that's not a good sign. Well, the bronze shard thing with blood, that is. At least Sanae is up and about. Maybe?
> Pick that shard up, and let's see if we can find a blood trail.
> Let's head downstairs, keeping an eye and ear out for any ruckuses.
> If we don't find any sign of Sanae, oh well: she's probably going back topside. Time to scope out the kitchen.
> Stealthily creep behind her and poke her cheek. "Oi. Don't go scalding yourself."
> Sigh, and take her by her shoulders and lead her to a chair. "Yeah, you can get your goose cooked. I'll get ya your eggs."
> Boil 'em eggs, while whipping up something simple but tasty for us and Satori.
> "Hey, um, did you see Sanae this morning?"
> Let's see if we can whip up some toast with jam and fried eggs while making sure those eggs don't overcook.
> "Where's your partner in crime?"
>Examine pet bird.
>"Hey, mind looking around the house for Sanae while I finish this up?"
>"Thanks!"
>Finish up this breakfast good. Don't let those eggs get over done.
>How do breakfast traditions work at Chireiden? Do we go gather the gang, or do people come and get some as they want?
>Maybe a metal triangle?
>Well sod that, then. Put the food where animals who aren't supposed to get into it can't get into it, and then take our share. It is a fried eggwich morning.
>Then wander out toward the front doors and see if we can see any sign of Sanae.
>If there's a garden it is probably soaked, which means it can have footprints. Let's see if we can find some.
>"Morning, pups."
>Pet them dogs.
>"Hey, did either of you guys see that girl I brought yesterday? The one wearing the sleeves like I do?"
>"Is that a yes? Can you point me the right way?"
>"Nothing, huh? Well, don't worry about it."
>Give him a belly rub, then glance around for any sign of Sanae.
>Can we see any residents of the Ancient City that are not too far off from the front of the property?
>Wander around the outskirts of the palace, see if we can find anything. Float when needed to avoid waterlogging or mudding out.
>Loop back around to the front doors, and see if we can link up with Utsuho.
> "Hey, any sign of Sanae?"
> Whoops, we need to get those eggs and toast to Satori soon.
> "Well, that's all right. Your eggs are on top of the fridge."
> Head back to the kitchen to grab the breakfast we made for Satori, and take it up to her room.
>Wait 1 hour.> What? No, the eggs'll get cold and the toast get hard and mushy and stuff. Just put the plate near her and let the aroma of our l- er, cooking wake her up.
>Wait 1 hour.
> What? No, the eggs'll get cold and the toast get hard and mushy and stuff. Just put the plate near her and let the aroma of our l- er, cooking wake her up.
> "Mornin'. Uh... I know it's real early for you 'n all, but..."
> Man we should've thought through this whole "breakfast in bed" thing if she's too sleepy to eat. But we got incidents to solve and Sanaes to track down so we don't have time to wait but we still gotta take care of Satori and aaaaaaa
> We already ate the egg sandwich, right? Then it should all be hers.
> "In a manner of speaking." At least we got Sanae up from that crazy dream world alternate reality thing. Finding that fringed orchid was a bust so far, though. Now we just need to track down Sanae and see how she's doing.
> Yessss! "Eh, you know. No big thing."
> Give a bit of a sheepish smile back. That Satori's so...
> ... What were we going to do again? Oh right, find Sanae. Also, we need to let Koishi know we set up a playdate for her with a vampire.
>Are we cold in this?
>Wait is this one of those come ons Yukari goes on about?
>"Oh, uh."
>No, we are not going to mook this up like Sanae would!
>"If I don't, then something happened or I fell asleep on the way."
> "It's not 'falling' if I'm doing it on purpose. Speaking of, how's... uh, that squeaky girl doing?"
> "You're gonna keep her after I deal with the incident? We might need to dig a lake or something."
> Well, we'll get to that when we get to that. For now, we gotta let Satori get back to resting and starting incidentizing someone.
> Clean up Satori's plates, give her a quick peck on the forehead, and skedaddle outta the room. We need to put the plates in the sink, then track down Koishi for a bit.
> Sigh. Let's go see if we can find her. Check the rabbit hutch, first.
> Nope.
> Let's try in the outside. Maybe she's splashing around in puddles or bugging the dolphin.
> Let's see what the big fish is up to. Did we ever figure out a name for her?
> Oh well, we'll figure out a name for the squeaky one soon enough. "Hey, mornin'. See a green haired miko scurrying about?"
>"Urgh. Where did she get off to? I don't suppose Squeaky there knows?"
>Beat Dolphin with Kasen in hopes of instilling usefulness into one or the other via impacts.
>"Guess I'll have to go back to Moriya Shrine and hope she shows up there."