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(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/reimuquest_introart_zpsa8906e20.png)
> Your name is Hakurei Reimu. (http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/reimuportrait_zpsafbafe61.png)
> You are one of the most notorious members of Gensokyo thanks to your status as the last Hakurei Shrine maiden and primary incident solver. You are admired, hated, and loved all at once, and to be honest that can be kind of overwhelming and stressful for you sometimes. You?re around people frequently but it can be very draining on you. Sometimes you just want to be alone. Although moments of silence are rare, you are comforted in the knowledge that when you let down your guard, no one will be able to take advantage of that. Your status as the last Hakurei shrine maiden has made you untouchable. This is because your life is intrinsically linked with the Great Barrier that surrounds Gensokyo. If you die, then the entirety of Gensokyo will go down with you. This fact is even more important because, as of right now, you don't have a successor.
> Lately, you haven?t been able to be as active in incident-solving as you used to be, but that?s to be expected. Gensokyo's population has grown within the past few years, and incidents come and go--some even solved by youkai. Although you still hold some resentment towards youkai, you?ve gotten closer to them and have even found love and friendship in their company. It?s a bit complicated. There will always be tension between youkai and humans, and although--or maybe because--you've got friends on both sides, you're in an awkward situation.
> You are a tea enthusiast and are fond of animals, although you?d rather not go through the hassle of keeping any pets. You?re also quite thrifty and have taken advantage of the hot springs behind your house to earn your keep when you are not solving incidents, because let?s face it; a shrine is a difficult thing to take care of. You?re one busy girl, but you?re not alone. You share a room with Ibuki Suika, who you took in many years ago. Also on the shrine grounds are the Three Faeries of Light, who you?ve recently won over and convinced to help out with shrine work. Until the likes of them showed up, you've been alone for as long as you can remember.
-PROLOGUE-
> The year is currently 128, and summer has been upon Gensokyo for a while now. It?s currently evening at the shrine and you?ve been doing some cleaning. Suika has been out most of the day, but you should be expecting her back soon. Meanwhile, you?ve gotten the three faeries that live near the shrine to help you out with chores. Hopefully, in your endeavors, you?ll find some old junk to pawn off to Kourindou. You?re doing all of this today, because tomorrow you are going on a date.
> The weather is nice and warm, and it looks like it?s going to rain. You are currently standing in your bedroom, and have no plans on leaving the shrine tonight.
> _
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>Where is Genjii?
>How 'bout them Satoris, eh? Eh?
>Where are we at, precisely? Indoors, front yard?
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>What will be the date tomorrow?
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> Who's the lucky bastard that managed to snag us?
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>Where is Genjii?
>How 'bout them Satoris, eh? Eh?
>Where are we at, precisely? Indoors, front yard?
> Now that you no longer require Genji to tote you around Gensokyo, he has taken to roaming the Forest of Magic. He hangs around the Toad Shrine or Crater Lake, both of which are pretty far out in the sticks.
> You think about Satori and blush.
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/reimu_blush_zps4a3be439.png)
> You're inside, of course! Why would your bedroom be outside? If you take a left out of your room, though, you'll end up in the living room, and if you take another left you'll be in the kitchen. From there you can go out to the backyard. You'd have to take a right out of the living room to get to the courtyard out front, though. All of these places are easy to access because your shrine is small.
>What will be the date tomorrow?
> It's going to be a quiet dinner, and then tea with cake.
> Who's the lucky bastard that managed to snag us?
> Of course that would be...
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/charactericon_satori_zpsc70a51d6.png)
> ...Her. She understands you so well, it's like she's a mind reader or something.
> ...Wait.
> In all seriousness, you don't think you could have this kind of close relationship with anyone else. You feel as though an invisible force has drawn the two of you together. There's something to be said about relationships that start off insignificant and unassuming, but end with both parties closer than they could have anticipated. In short, it's something that happened naturally. What's to be said about it is that both your fates were sealed when you kicked in her window during the Geyser Incident.
> _
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>Where do we like to go to salvage stuff?
>What sorts of things have we and Satori done in the past?
>Has anything of note happened lately?
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>Where do we like to go to salvage stuff?
>What sorts of things have we and Satori done in the past?
>Has anything of note happened lately?
> You have a small garden in which you grow your own vegetables. For your other food, you go to the Human Village. Things like clothes, household items, and the like are usually procured from Kourindou. But you can't always rely on Kourin for everything, so you sometimes go to the Forest of Magic. Items from the Outside World often end up there. There's even an abandoned building you've looted from before, but you save that for long trips.
> You think about past experiences with Satori. For all the hype that romantic relationships get, in reality nothing earth-shattering happens when you get a girlfriend. One particularly funny thing you remember doing with her, though, is going to the Hell of Blazing Fires to release cages of hell ravens so you can watch them roll around in the ash like it's snow. Other things you've done with Satori is taking her to the surface and showing her the prettiest locations, having sleepovers, and dinner dates much like the one you're about to embark on tomorrow. Most of all, though, you end up doing a lot of mundane, everyday activities with her. It's been very peaceful.
> It's been a little quiet lately. Maybe too quiet, even. You haven't heard from Kochiya Sanae of the Youkai Mountain for a while. It's almost a little sad, because she used to never leave you alone.
> If it counts, the weather has been looking stormy for the past week, but it hasn't rained a drop. It probably will tonight, though.
> _
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>What is the date today?
>What do we know about Crater Lake?
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>Let's go relax on the front porch, if we got no plans today. Maybe nab a quick drink along the way.
>How much trouble do the three faeries typically turn out to be?
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>How have
Her Gradiency Byakuren and her gang been? Causing trouble or relatively peaceful? Or did they and the Taoists wipe each other out simultaneously?
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>Inventory
>Stats
>Now that we got those outta the way, do a dance.
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>What is the date today?
>What do we know about Crater Lake?
> The date is July 18th, 128.
> You get a different story about Crater Lake every time you ask someone. The most popular story seems to be that someone fell from a great height during a danmaku battle and landed so hard they made an actual crater. So many danmaku battles have happened in Gensokyo, though, that you will probably never find out which one caused it.
>Let's go relax on the front porch, if we got no plans today. Maybe nab a quick drink along the way.
>How much trouble do the three faeries typically turn out to be?
> You suppose the shrine is clean enough that you can put it off for now. You grab a glass of peach juice from the kitchen and head out to the front porch.
> From what you can see behind the clouds, the sun is already starting to set. The wind blows precariously, spilling leaves over the shrine's main cobblestone pathway and disturbing your drink. Thankfully, none of it spills.
> Speak of the devil, the three faeries are in the courtyard right now. They could never handle the shrine by themselves or without supervision. They're like a bunch of unruly kids. Right now they're supposed to be sweeping, but they seem to have gotten into a mock sword fight with the brooms instead.
>How have Her Gradiency Byakuren and her gang been? Causing trouble or relatively peaceful? Or did they and the Taoists wipe each other out simultaneously?
> They've both been quiet. At first you were afraid that they were going to explode at each other, but after the incident with that menreiki youkai, things seemed to have simmer down. That isn't to say you don't see people from either group.
>Inventory
>Stats
>Now that we got those outta the way, do a dance.
> INVENTORY
> Modern shrine maiden robes
> Pretty much a highly stylized schoolgirl uniform. Complete with cute little shoes, ankle socks, and hair decs.
> Detached sleeves
> Where you keep all of your items. For some reason, they have a functioning hammerspace which you suspect is Yukari's doing.
> Yin yang orb
> Your signature weapon.
> You're the only one who can touch it without either burning yourself (human) or suffering excruciating pain (youkai).
> Gohei
> Marisa jokes that it's like a magic wand, but you refuse to be associated with Gensokyo's magician population.
> Spellcards
> Dream Sign "Evil Sealing Circle" (4 hits)
> Used to overwhelm adversaries with ofuda. +5 damage
> Divine Spirit "Fantasy Seal" (4 hits)
> Used to close in on adversaries with ofuda. +5 damage
> Holy Relic "Yin-Yang Demon God Orb" (3 hits)
> Smite thy enemies with a giant orb. Surprisingly light lifting. +6 damage
> Divine Arts "Omnidirectional Demon-Binding Circle" (5 hits)
> Used to paralyze adveraries. +7 damage
> May also be used outside of battle to temporarily stun adversaries.
*> Untitled "Flying Mysterious Shrine Maiden" (1 hit)
> Powerful card that can only be used when you are close to unconsciousness or death. +10 damage
*> "Fantasy Nature" (1 hit)
> Powerful card that can only be used when close to death. +10 damage
> Tea set
> You have a lot more of these in your house.
> You like leaving them in friends'/acquaintances' houses so you can have tea whenever you like.
> Ofuda x10
> Multipurpose magic cards you keep for non-danmaku usage
> Broom
> The shrine broom. Shut up, Marisa (this is a joke).
> Bag of fried beans
> You take these with you whenever you go underground, but you wouldn't dare use them on Suika.
> 1000μ
> It's always a good idea to keep a some money on you.
> STATS
> HP: 100/100
> Health: Healthy
> That's a little redundant, isn't it?
> You spontaneously break out into dance. (https://soundcloud.com/swingating/james-curd-bird-change-swing-a)
> The faeries see you and burst into laughter.
> _
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> Where's Ruukoto?
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> Where's Ruukoto?
> Your dancing grinds to a halt when you spontaneously remember your robot maid.
> You completely forget where you put her.
> _
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>How cute are the fairies?
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>Check the donation box, maybe there's something in it today.
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>How cute are the fairies?
> You'd say they're as cute as your average faerie, which is pretty cute.
>Check the donation box, maybe there's something in it today.
> You check the donation box.
> ...
> Sweet! Somebody left some cash!
> Obtained: 500μ
> _
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>Someone donated? This must be an incident!
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>Someone donated? This must be an incident!
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/donationbox_zps280ec6a9.png)
> The only way there'd be an incident is if someone left a mysterious letter, or a huge pile of money. 500μ is small potatoes compared to 10,000μ or even 100,000μ. Either that or a dead animal left by some punk cat youkai or something. None of which have ever showed up in your donation box.
> _
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>Who are our big donors?
>Call out to the faeries, "Hey, get back to work, you!"
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>Who are our big donors?
>Call out to the faeries, "Hey, get back to work, you!"
> Ibaraki Kasen and Yakumo Yukari are the ones responsible for large sums of money in your donation box.
> You'd count Toyosatomimi no Miko, the leader of the Taoists' gang, but she only donated one time and that was as compensation for starting an incident.
> Smaller sums or things that aren't even money are from youkai you don't even know, and even rarer, a human.
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/getbacktowork_zps5bc01c5e.png)
> The faeries squeal with laughter and hurriedly go back to sweeping the front pathway. At least Suika does her jobs diligently.
> _
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>Max and relax on the porch for a bit. Today is the day for that kind of thing.
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>About what time is it?
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>Max and relax on the porch for a bit. Today is the day for that kind of thing.
> You take a breather. This is one of those rare moments when Gensokyo is quiet.
>About what time is it?
> You believe it's around 7:30pm. It shouldn't be as dark as it is, but it's so cloudy that you'll let it slide.
> You think Suika should be coming home soon. She said she'd be back before nightfall, at least.
> _
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>Is she on dinner duty, or are we?
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>Is she on dinner duty, or are we?
> That would be her. She's actually very good at cooking.
> _
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>Good, then time to relax!
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> Take a short nap. By the time you wake up, Watermelon should be done cooking.
> Dream about being rich.
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>Good, then time to relax!
> Take a short nap. By the time you wake up, Watermelon should be done cooking.
> Dream about being rich.
> You curl up on the porch and close your eyes. You are eventually lulled into a light sleep, and although you don't remember what you dreamed about, you're sure you were thinking about money.
> ...
> What feels like ages later, you are jolted awake by someone shaking your shoulder and calling your name. Somewhere in the background you hear the faeries laughing again.
> _
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>Jolt awake!
>"Gyah, what?"
>Try to assess the situation as much as a bleary-eared half awake shrine maiden can.
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>Jolt awake!
>"Gyah, what?"
>Try to assess the situation as much as a bleary-eared half awake shrine maiden can.
> You awake with a shock, and the one who was shaking you stands back.
> As best as you can, you get a look at her. Oh, it's just Suika. She's holding a bloodstained bag in one hand and has a satisfied smile on her face. The sky has grown considerably darker.
> "Nice t' see you awake!" Suika shows you the bag. "I brought back dinner! And a guest, if you don't mind."
> She jerks her thumb over her shoulder to where the three faeries are. There's another girl with them now.
> _
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>Rub eyes, identify the new arrival who came with Suika
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>"Mind telling me what's in the bag, first?"
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>Who is the new girl?
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>Rub eyes, identify the new arrival who came with Suika
>Who is the new girl?
> You gather your bearings and look closely at the girl who is with the faeries. She's quite nicely dressed.
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/enterakyuu_zpsa4314f8d.png)
> It appears to be Hieda no Akyuu from the Human Village. Since she's usually homestuck, when she's chronicling Gensokyo she relies a lot on people like you to give her writing material. She's a good kid.
> This is a bit of a shocker, though. She's kind of sickly and frail, so you're surprised that Suika even got her out of her house.
>"Mind telling me what's in the bag, first?"
> Suika swings the bag back and forth. She looks so proud of herself.
> "Weeell, I thought all the prices in the village were too high, so I went into the forest and did some huntin'. I hit a boar but I had to give up part of it to the local youkai, who gave me the tip-off of where it'd be in the first place."
> The bag is a decent size...
> Suika hoists the bag over her shoulder and starts to step over you on her way into the shrine. "If you'll excuse me, I'm off to cook this!"
> _
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>"Oh, uh...good thinking. Be sure to cook it all the way through!"
>Eye Heida. "So, Suika kidnapped you, huh?"
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>"Oh, uh...good thinking. Be sure to cook it all the way through!"
>Eye Heida. "So, Suika kidnapped you, huh?"
> "Oookaaaay." And there she goes. She's in the shrine now.
> As the faeries disperse, Akyuu finally notices you. "Oh, Hakurei-san." She laughs a little. "I kind of agreed to come with her...so it's not really kidnapping, is it?"
> _
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> Didn't Akyuu write stuff about Satori's sister being imaginary? What did Satori think of that?
> When was the last time we've seen Koishi, anyways?
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>"It might. Pretty sure she kidnapped me, and I live here!"
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> Didn't Akyuu write stuff about Satori's sister being imaginary? What did Satori think of that?
> When was the last time we've seen Koishi, anyways?
> You were sure that Satori would be upset by that, but she told you that it didn't matter because she knew Koishi was real. You are pretty sure Akyuu's writings have sparked riots in the Ancient City, though. Oni will get riled up over literally anything.
> The last time you saw Koishi was last month at Satori's place. You know she's around there enough to take care of her pets, but she very rarely shows herself around you.
>"It might. Pretty sure she kidnapped me, and I live here!"
> "I wouldn't be surprised." Akyuu walks over to the porch and takes a seat next to you. "The weather's been awful, hasn't it?"
> _
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>"Yeah,"
>Glance up toward the sky.
>"But the rain should do some good. Have you been feeling okay?"
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>"Written up anything new lately?"
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>"Yeah,"
>Glance up toward the sky.
>"But the rain should do some good. Have you been feeling okay?"
> You look at the sky. God, it looks like all hell is about to break loose up there.
> Akyuu nods. "Uh-huh. I had a fever last week but I'm better now."
>"Written up anything new lately?"
> Akyuu brightens up when you mention her writing.
> "Oh, yes. I've been covering the most recent incidents to happen in the past three years. I'm also editing previously existing information. Gensokyo can be so stagnant that I haven't had to update a lot of data entries in years, but of course some incidents happen to change that. Hakurei-san, if you ever have any new information about anything, please let me know."
> _
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> "Hm... what incidents are you writing 'bout?"
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> "Hm... what incidents are you writing 'bout?"
> "It was around two or three years ago, and I'm pretty sure you weren't really involved, but there was an incident where the sky grew completely dark," Akyuu explains. "Both the sun and the moon disappeared and were replaced by an unidentified celestial body. I think it took about a week to solve, and information is scarce because the incident ended very suddenly and with no explanation."
> Akyuu 'hmmms' in concentration. "There's another incident that's comparable to an urban legend. A rumor started last year about how humans and youkai alike were dreaming about the same things. I heard it from some rabbits, but you know how they are. It'd be a very minor incident, though."
> _
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>Do we have any idea about the two incidents?
>If so, do we remember anything about the pair of them; like if Satori was involved, etc?
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>Do we have any idea about the two incidents?
>If so, do we remember anything about the pair of them; like if Satori was involved, etc?
> You think Satori might have an idea about the first incident.
> As for the other one, you have absolutely no idea. This is the first time you've heard of this.
> _
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>"Odd; I don't recall that at all."
>"For what it's worth, what did the rabbits say? Did they mention anyone?"
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>"Odd; I don't recall that at all."
>"For what it's worth, what did the rabbits say? Did they mention anyone?"
> "It's okay."
> Akyuu shrugs. "I'd remember if they did."
> A strange wind blows.
> _
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>What is strange about this wind?
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>What is strange about this wind?
> It lingers too long, and sounds like it's howling.
> _
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>Have we ever experienced a wind like this before?
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> Could it perhaps be signalling a new arrival?
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Dammit Magus, stay in your own game.
> Be mildly bothered but not too concerned, unless a giant wolf comes to eat Akyuu or something.
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>Have we ever experienced a wind like this before?
> No.
> Could it perhaps be signalling a new arrival?
> The rain often brings with it a fresh start, and promises anew. It washes away doubts and cleans the air of any troubling presences. A storm brings with it darkness and fear, but the sun that shines after it is often at its brightest.
> Unfortunately, you are not in a dream, so these words are meaningless to you. It feels more like something is arriving.
> Be mildly bothered but not too concerned, unless a giant wolf comes to eat Akyuu or something.
> No monsters appear, so you have no need for concern.
> In the distance, you hear a great rumbling of thunder. Somewhere in the back of the shrine, you hear excited squealing and girlish laughter.
> _
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>Does that squeal sound like Suika or the faeries?
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>Add to that: does it sound like anyone we know?
Lovely quest you have here. Lovely Ib too.
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>Does that squeal sound like Suika or the faeries?
>Add to that: does it sound like anyone we know?
> It's definitely from the faeries. If it were Suika you'd probably just hear really loud, hearty laughter.
> Akyuu looks at the sky with a furrowed brow. Another peal of thunder sounds in the distance.
> "It's starting."
> _
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>"What's starting, Akyu?"
(Also holy crap first time posting in a Quest.)
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>"Sound like it's going to be a nasty one. Think you're going to need to stay the night here?"
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>"What's starting, Akyu?"
> Akyuu scoots under the shrine roof. "The rain."
>"Sound like it's going to be a nasty one. Think you're going to need to stay the night here?"
> "I-is that okay?" Akyuu asks. "I wouldn't be bothering you, would I?"
> As she speaks, droplets of rain start to pitter-patter on the cobblestone.
> _
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>Make sure we're properly under the overhang.
>"So long as you don't mind Suika's snoring and the faeries creeping about."
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>Make sure we're properly under the overhang.
>"So long as you don't mind Suika's snoring and the faeries creeping about."
> You take shelter as the rain starts to pour. It starts slowly, and then picks up speed until the world is hidden by a curtain of little watery bullets. At least, that's what they look like to you. Nature's danmaku. Few spellcards can properly mimic its finesse and power.
> Akyuu giggles. "Fine by me."
> _
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>Observe the storm a bit, does anything else seem odd about it, aside from that wind?
>Is the wind still odd?
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> Have we offered tea yet? Do we even have tea?
> "Go ahead and have a seat, I guess. I'll get tea."
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>Tea Time!
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>Observe the storm a bit, does anything else seem odd about it, aside from that wind?
>Is the wind still odd?
> You watch the rain come down. Every so often you see a flash of lightening. Thunder follows soon after.
> As far as you're concerned, this is a normal storm now.
> Have we offered tea yet? Do we even have tea?
> "Go ahead and have a seat, I guess. I'll get tea."
>Tea Time!
> You remember that you haven't even offered tea yet. You've got some stashed away in the kitchen, and even more in the basement.
> Akyuu nods and heads inside to the living room.
> You'll have to go to the kitchen to make tea. Hopefully Suika won't mind a minor disruption in her cooking.
> _
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>It's our shrine; the little oni can deal with it. ^^
>To the kitchen-mobile!
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>It's our shrine; the little oni can deal with it. ^^
>To the kitchen-mobile!
> It's not like Suika owns the place.
> You make a beeline for the kitchen. You immediately smell something warm and savory, broiling away in a pot on the stove. Suika is standing on tip-toe with a cutting board, pushing chopped vegetables into the pot. She's even got rice steaming. It's a wonder she's able to move around the tiny kitchen with her gourd still on her hip and wrapped in chains.
> Suika is singing to herself and doesn't seem to notice you. The door leading out back is open, probably to let off the steam. You catch a glimpse of the outside, but you can barely see past the porch.
> _
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>Oh crap, did we shut all the windows? With that wind and that rain...
>Get some tea while mentally reviewing this.
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>Oh crap, did we shut all the windows? With that wind and that rain...
>Get some tea while mentally reviewing this.
> You kind of doubt it. You probably should have prepared better.
> You busy yourself by reaching over Suika to put a kettle on one of the free spots on the stove. She interjects with a "hey! watch it!" but you're already at the cabinets, picking out cups and tea strainers.
> Suika is still at the stove by the time the kettle is whistling. You fill the cups with hot water and let the tea leaves brew. All you have to do now is wait for it to steep, but Suika is clearly disgruntled by you shoving past her while she's cooking.
> "Gimme a lil' heads up before you do that," she says to you as she takes the rice off the stove.
> _
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>"Sorry, but we can't leave a guest waiting."
>"Hey, did any of you guys get the windows?"
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>"Sorry, but we can't leave a guest waiting."
>"Hey, did any of you guys get the windows?"
> Suika stirs the contents of the pot faster. "Good point. I was the one who brought her over, after all..."
> "I got the ones around the edge of the house." Suika rocks back and forth on her heels. "But I left that one open 'cause it was getting too steamy in here. The little winglies bailed as soon as they heard the first thunder."
> _
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>"Good work, Suika."
>Set the tea out properly so it can seep on the table and get comfortable.
>What are those wascally faeries up to?
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>"Good work, Suika."
>Set the tea out properly so it can seep on the table and get comfortable.
>What are those wascally faeries up to?
> "Thanks." Suika grins.
> You take the tea into the living room. Akyuu looks quite happy at this development.
> You don't see the faeries in the vicinity. They're either in the shrine, or they went back to their tree house.
> _
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>"So, what's new over your way?"
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>"So, what's new over your way?"
> Akyuu shrugs. "Nothing that'll disturb the crops or the animals."
> She sips her tea. "Some tengu flew over yesterday and dropped fliers. They say some shrines on the mountain are looking to hire shrine maidens, but there's no way Kamishirasawa-sensei would let any of us live somewhere that dangerous. Do you know anything about this?"
> _
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>Is this the first we've heard of it?
>If so, indicate as such and enjoy the tea.
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>Is this the first we've heard of it?
>If so, indicate as such and enjoy the tea.
> It is.
> You and Akyuu take to drinking the tea in silence. It's almost peaceful, until Suika bellows from the kitchen:
> "Food's ready!!"
> _
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>Let's not waste time; food is serious business!
>And we can't keep such a friendly face waiting~
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>Let's not waste time; food is serious business!
>And we can't keep such a friendly face waiting~
> Not wanting Akyuu to wait any longer, you head into the kitchen and help Suika carry out the food. She's made a large bowl of rice, which you carry, but the main dish is a pot of boar stew with chopped vegetables. Akyuu looks positively delighted at the sight of the food being set on the table. If you're not careful, she might try to eat it before Suika even brings out the dishes and silverware.
> _
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>We'll trust her good manners and help set the table.
>How's that storm doing?
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>We'll trust her good manners and help set the table.
>How's that storm doing?
> Thankfully, Akyuu waits until the plates are set before she goes to fill her plate. Suika's already eating, too.
> You look outside. The storm is still going strong, and it doesn't look like it'll be letting up soon.
> _
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>Does she look like she hasn't eaten well in a while?
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>Let's get in on them eats.
>"How have things been around town?" Pose the question in general, so they both can get in on it.
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>Does she look like she hasn't eaten well in a while?
> She looks like a normal, healthy girl to you.
>Let's get in on them eats.
>"How have things been around town?" Pose the question in general, so they both can get in on it.
> You get to eating. You are never not surprised by Suika's cooking skills.
> Before Akyuu can say anything, Suika interjects with:
> "Oh! I saw the purple-haired rabbit from Eientei while I was down there."
> "Really? That was today? I thought Eientei's rabbits only sold medicine on Saturday."
> "She was just out shopping," Suika says.
> Akyuu refills her plate. "Oh. Well, Hakurei-san, to answer your question, we've all been doing well."
> _
-
>"That's good to hear. How have you been passing the time, lately?"
>Fill her in on recent minor events and doings that have happened here.
-
>And take a mouthful of food when we have the chance. ^^
-
>"That's good to hear. How have you been passing the time, lately?"
>Fill her in on recent minor events and doings that have happened here.
>And take a mouthful of food when we have the chance. ^^
> "I've been getting into gardening, lately," Akyuu says. "Since the weather's so nice."
> After that, you eat and talk to her about the shrine, with Suika providing an opinion every now and then. Eventually, Akyuu stops refilling her plate and is now standing up, getting ready to take it into the kitchen.
> _
-
>"I'll take care of that, don't worry about it."
>We do make Suika do the dishes, right?
-
>"I'll take care of that, don't worry about it."
>We do make Suika do the dishes, right?
> "Oh..." She sits back down.
> Yes, yes you do.
> _
-
> Start gathering up the dishes we're done with.
> "Hey Suika, I'll go ahead and put them inside for you." If she usually is forced to take care of the dishes, then there's no reason we should stop that.
-
> Start gathering up the dishes we're done with.
> "Hey Suika, I'll go ahead and put them inside for you." If she usually is forced to take care of the dishes, then there's no reason we should stop that.
> "Sweet. Thanks." Suika stands up from the table and patters away into the kitchen.
> _
-
>Take the plates to the little oni.
>If Suika doesn't a hand with anything else, head on back to Akyuu.
-
>Take the plates to the little oni.
>If Suika doesn't a hand with anything else, head on back to Akyuu.
> You clear the table.
> Back in the kitchen, Suika appears to be doing fine on her own. She's putting the remaining food in containers.
> In the living room, Akyuu is still sitting at the table and watching the rain fall outside. The thunder has gotten way more intense, now.
> _
-
>We're used to thunder being like this, right?
>If so, go assure her it's okay~
-
> "Yeah, no way you're going back to the village in this weather."
> Sigh, and figure out what we need to pull out for a guest for the night. At least the, uh, meeting with Satori isn't 'till tomorrow.
-
>We're used to thunder being like this, right?
>If so, go assure her it's okay~
> "Yeah, no way you're going back to the village in this weather."
> Sigh, and figure out what we need to pull out for a guest for the night. At least the, uh, meeting with Satori isn't 'till tomorrow.
> You reassure Akyuu that it'll be okay. You've faced danmaku worse than this, after all. She just nods and keeps staring outside. You'll need a futon and a change of clothes for her, if she's going to stay the night...
> If you were to go Underground now, you'd probably have to deal with the rain until you got to the bridge. The hole leading down there goes straight down, after all.
> You hear a deafening boom and then a crack, and all the lights go out. Akyuu squeaks in surprise. You hear Suika laughing from the kitchen.
> _
-
> Woah. Time to bring out the candles.
> When did we get lights that lightning could shut down? Was this Sanae's doing?
-
> Woah. Time to bring out the candles.
> When did we get lights that lightning could shut down? Was this Sanae's doing?
> You start groping around in the dark in search of candles.
> The lightbulbs were Sanae's birthday present to you last December. She claimed, in her typical grandiose Sanae fashion, that she was "bestowing upon you the gift of light".
> _
-
>Typical Sanae.
>"Suika! Candles!"
-
>Typical Sanae.
>"Suika! Candles!"
> She was always rather hammy.
> "I'm on it!" you hear Suika call out. The next things you hear are the scurrying of dozens of little footsteps and the chattering of little Suika voices. Drawers open and shut, and finally you see a warm glow of light from the kitchen. A parade of mini Suikas are marching out of the kitchen and into the gloom, holding candles and matches in their tiny arms. Akyuu giggles as one of them clambers over her robes.
> _
-
> Sigh, and start lighting the candles.
> "Yeah, figures. It's all neat and bright, but one big bang and the lights just go 'poof!'. I'm going to have to talk about Sanae about this."
-
>Listen to the rain to see how hard it's coming down, then double-check all doors and windows. Can't be too careful! Don't forget a candle for vision purposes.
After all, we can't see very well in darkness
>Look for extra futons and a change of clothes for Akyuu while we're up.
-
> Sigh, and start lighting the candles.
> "Yeah, figures. It's all neat and bright, but one big bang and the lights just go 'poof!'. I'm going to have to talk about Sanae about this."
> You get to work aiding the mini-Suikas.
> One of the mini-Suikas pipes up. "You should ask her to make some fist-proof lightbulbs while you're at it!"
>Listen to the rain to see how hard it's coming down, then double-check all doors and windows. Can't be too careful! Don't forget a candle for vision purposes. After all, we can't see very well in darkness
>Look for extra futons and a change of clothes for Akyuu while we're up.
> It's raining so loudly that it's a miracle you're able to hear yourself think. You go around with a candle, making sure all the doors and windows are secure. Suika forgot to close the one in the kitchen, looks like, so you take care of that.
> You venture into your room in search of things for Akyuu. The shrine is now lit with the comforting golden glow of candles that takes you back to a time without electricity. You briefly see Suika pass through another room setting up candles. You get the feeling she doesn't even need the candles to see, but because you don't have a 60 foot see-in-the-dark vision radius can't see, she's helping out anyway.
> You're just carrying out a futon for Akyuu when you feel something drop on your head.
> _
-
>What did it feel like?
>Feel our head.
-
>What happened?
>Did someone set up us the bomb?
-
>What did it feel like?
>Feel our head.
> It felt...soft.
> You feel your head. There's some sort of fabric resting on it.
>What happened?
>Did someone set up us the bomb?
> There appears to be some sort of silken fabric resting on your head.
> _
-
>Has this poked at our intuition at all?
>Look around for a source.
>If none is evident, remove fabric from our skull and examine it briefly.
-
>Examine fabric.
>Then examine surrounding area.
-
>Has this poked at our intuition at all?
>Look around for a source.
>If none is evident, remove fabric from our skull and examine it briefly.
>Examine fabric.
>Then examine surrounding area.
> You look around but see nothing. Something's fishy here. No one else seems to have noticed this.
> You take the fabric off your head and realize that you're holding a silk glove. It has clearly been made for a hand bigger than yours. There's even lace on the cuff. This is clearly a glove of quality and taste.
> _
-
>Is this Yukari's?
>If we have no reason to think it is not Yukari's, say, "Alright, where are you?"
-
>Is this Yukari's?
>If we have no reason to think it is not Yukari's, say, "Alright, where are you?"
> There's no way it can't be. Gloves this fancy don't just appear out of nowhere.
> You call out into the dark, and hear muffled giggling. The unfamiliar voice makes Akyuu back in the living room jump in surprise.
> _
-
>"I'm trying to have guests over here, Yukari."
>Pocket the glove. We'll toss it to the faeries later.
-
>Consider Yukari.
I like how sweet this quest seems. Sort of like Aria, or Millet Soup.
-
>
At least it's a glove of quality and taste, not wealth and taste. Then we'd be in trouble.
-
>"I'm trying to have guests over here, Yukari."
>Pocket the glove. We'll toss it to the faeries later.
> Obtained: Silk Glove x1
> A soft silk glove with lace on the cuff, clearly a glove of wealth and taste. Belongs to Yakumo Yukari.
> This shall be a suitable offering for the faeries, and perhaps an incentive for them to start taking their jobs seriously.
> "Aww, you're no fun, Reimu." It's clearly Yukari's voice. A couple of mini-Suikas hear her and start chattering with delight.
>Consider Yukari.
> Yakumo Yukari, long ago, was one of the people who had a hand in creating the Great Boundary. She hibernates in the winter and sometimes shows up at your house to drink your tea. As a rule of thumb, in the event that you require her assistance she will only take a passive role in helping you. The only exception to this was the Full Moon incident years and years ago. She's a bit of a nuisance, but at least she doesn't cause any trouble. You'd be loathe to solve any incident she causes.
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/charactericon_yukari_zpsd86efa55.png)
> At least it's a glove of quality and taste, not wealth and taste. Then we'd be in trouble.
> Maybe if it were made of solid gold, but then we'd have a completely different problem on our hands
> _
-
>"I'm barrels of fun, but you on the other hand... So, did you get caught in the rain or something?"
>Go back about our business. The gap hag will follow us if she cares to converse.
-
>"I'm barrels of fun, but you on the other hand... So, did you get caught in the rain or something?"
>Go back about our business. The gap hag will follow us if she cares to converse.
> "Oh please. Do you really think I of all people would get caught in the rain?" Yukari's voice follows you as you set up the futon, but you can't see her in the gloom.
> "I just wanted to see how the shrine was faring in all this rain," she says. "With all it's been through I figured the roof would either cave in or start leaking."
> The mini-Suikas trample past you, making it hard to move around. They all seem to be congregating back in the living room.
> _
-
>Let the swarm go past.
>"Well, to be honest, I'm surprised your rheumatism can handle it. Though you wouldn't be caught off guard by a storm like this, at least. The roof's doing just fine."
>Probably.
>"And I guess you'll want some tea?"
-
>Let the swarm go past.
>"Well, to be honest, I'm surprised your rheumatism can handle it. Though you wouldn't be caught off guard by a storm like this, at least. The roof's doing just fine."
>Probably.
>"And I guess you'll want some tea?"
> You know better than to interrupt a Suika stampede.
> "Hmhmhm~ And I suppose I'll be saying the same for you in fifty years."
> Her voice seems farther away when she says: "You know me too well. I'll just make myself at home, then."
> Akyuu finally realizes that Yukari is present, and you see her stand up from the table. "Yakumo-san? Is that you?"
> _
-
>Call out, "Yeah, that's her."
>Resume prior activities.
-
>Call out, "Yeah, that's her."
>Resume prior activities.
> "Oh!" Akyuu gives a little exclamation of surprise. "I didn't know you were..."
> As she starts to chat up Yukari, you finish laying out the futons and go to get some clothes for Akyuu. The life-sized Suika has ditched candle duty to go find Yukari. That's okay, though: you think you have enough candles to celebrate Yukari's birthday now.
> _
-
> That's unlikely: we'd need about five hundred or so candles to do THAT.
> Well, probably more. She's gotta be older than Ran, and kitsune are a hundred per tail, right?
> Let's tell Akyuu that a place is ready for her whenever she wants to turn in.
-
> That's unlikely: we'd need about five hundred or so candles to do THAT.
> Well, probably more. She's gotta be older than Ran, and kitsune are a hundred per tail, right?
> Let's tell Akyuu that a place is ready for her whenever she wants to turn in.
> Ran is at least 900 years old. Upon further reflect, you'd need to set the entire shrine on fire...only for it to be put out by all the rain.
> You notify Akyuu that everything's set up. She smiles and nods.
> "Thank you very much!"
> _
-
>Have a seat and resume dinner.
-
>Have a seat and resume dinner.
> You take a seat and realize that there is no more dinner. You and Suika already cleared the table off.
> Speaking of Suika, she has reappeared as a single entity and is hopping up and down trying to reach a gap that is floating above the table.
> _
-
>Is there anything around we can can make into a proper projectile to toss through the gap? If so, let us send it airborne.
-
>Is there anything around we can can make into a proper projectile to toss through the gap? If so, let us send it airborne.
> There are still some mini-Suikas lingering about. You pick one up and throw it through the gap. Ten points!
> "Oh!...Suika, you've gotten quite small," says Yukari's voice.
> "I'm right out here and you know it!" Suika says. Another gap appears above her head, and a hand reaches down to ruffle her hair.
> "I know, I know."
> _
-
>"So, do you want anything or what?"
-
>"So, do you want anything or what?"
> "I'd like some tea," says Yukari.
> _
-
>Get tea, then ask what Yukari really wants.
-
>Get tea, then ask what Yukari really wants.
> You disappear into the kitchen and reappear with a tray containing a single teacup. Yukari leans out of the gap to take the cup. She takes a long sip.
> "That was it," she says.
> _
-
>"Oh, whatever. How have you been, Yukari?"
-
>"Oh, whatever. How have you been, Yukari?"
> "Quite well. Maybe a little bored, but I'm alive and breathing," Yukari sighs.
> _
-
>"Well, it's not as though that isn't an achievement for you these days. Are things keeping dry over there? The humidity isn't getting to Ran's tails, is it?"
-
>"Well, it's not as though that isn't an achievement for you these days. Are things keeping dry over there? The humidity isn't getting to Ran's tails, is it?"
> Yukari gives a short, sad laugh. "Don't even get started on Ran's tails."
> By which she probably means 'keep talking about it'.
> "She's been absolutely miserable about it."
> _
-
>"Chen's not bothered by the thunder, is she? Oh, speaking of, do you know how to get the lights back on?"
>What Akyu and Suika up to while we're shouting into a gap.
-
>"Chen's not bothered by the thunder, is she? Oh, speaking of, do you know how to get the lights back on?"
>What Akyu and Suika up to while we're shouting into a gap.
> "As long as she doesn't go outside, she's fine. And the lights will come back on their own once the storm dies down."
> Akyuu and Suika are busy launching mini-Suikas at each other. They are taking turns holding up their hands as goal posts.
> _
-
>
DO NOT THROW SU-eh, whatever, have fun with that.
> "So, you're just bugging us 'cause you're bored? Well, Akyuu's writing more stuff now, I bet she'd love to hear what you know."
-
>
DO NOT TAUNT HAPPY FUN SUIKA
>How do the Mini-Suikas seem to be taking it?
>"And do you have any idea how long the storm is going to last?"
-
>DO NOT THROW SU-eh, whatever, have fun with that.
> "So, you're just bugging us 'cause you're bored? Well, Akyuu's writing more stuff now, I bet she'd love to hear what you know."
> One of the mini-Suikas is accidentally launched off a bridge and onto the roof of a truck.
> "That's a very vague statement," Yukari says. "What I know? What I know about what?" She sips tea between sentences.
>DO NOT TAUNT HAPPY FUN SUIKA
>How do the Mini-Suikas seem to be taking it?
>"And do you have any idea how long the storm is going to last?"
> Hell hath no fury like an oni whose party has been interrupted.
> They seem to be enjoying themselves.
> "Well in my experiences, these kinds of storms are usually gone by morning. It doesn't matter to me though because I can sleep through entire rainy seasons."
> _
-
>"I wonder if you could sleep through a hole in the roof just over your head, though?"
So, have we any plans? It seems like there isn't going to be much to do until the rain tapers off or something happens to us.
-
I'm figuring getting Akyuu to bother Yukari about incidents and such.
> Toss a mini Suika into Akyuu's lap to get her attention. "Oi. I bet Yukari can fill in the g-... can tell you all about those incidents."
-
>"I wonder if you could sleep through a hole in the roof just over your head, though?"
> Yukari giggles.
> Toss a mini Suika into Akyuu's lap to get her attention. "Oi. I bet Yukari can fill in the g-... can tell you all about those incidents."
> You've definitely got Akyuu's attention now. She sits up straight, the mini-Suikas forgotten.
> "Y-yes! I need information about the incident three years ago!"
> Yukari sets the now-empty teacup down on the table. "Hmm? Doesn't anyone remember that?"
> _
-
>"Do you?"
-
>"Do you?"
> "Of course. When you've lived as long as I have, three years ago is to me what yesterday is to humans. Granted, I was asleep for most of it," Yukari says. "One of my constructs was scattered in the confusion and some lowly youkai put her back together."
> Yukari takes out her fan, opens it, and flaps it at you. "And if I had bothered to remember who that youkai was I would have told you, so don't go bothering me for their name."
> _
-
>"How grateful you must have been, then."
-
>"How grateful you must have been, then."
> "Oh, yes. If I recall correctly, they were also responsible for solving the incident. You didn't have to do a thing."
> Akyuu is clutching onto a few mini-Suikas for dear life, hanging onto Yukari's every word. She finally cries out to the actual Suika, "Go find some some paper and a pen!"
> "Awww man, I wanted to talk to Yukari too," says Suika as she gets up from the table and runs out of the room.
> _
-
>How much of this is familiar?
-
>How much of this is familiar?
> It tugs your nostalgia strings, and makes you feel as though you've failed your memory somehow.
> _
-
>Frown
>"Why don't I remember any of this, Yukari?"
-
>Frown
>"Why don't I remember any of this, Yukari?"
> Yukari fans herself. "Because you were unconscious for almost all of it."
> Then she takes on a more serious tone. "After all, you can't remember something you didn't experience in the first place."
> _
-
>What do we recall before and after our boxing match with alleged unconsciousness?
-
>What do we recall before and after our boxing match with alleged unconsciousness?
> Danmaku, and flying. Gensokyo looked tiny from the air. You remember being at Satori's place for a while before you went back to the shrine.
> Akyuu looks back and forth between you and Yukari. She looks like she wants to say something, and then she actually says something.
> "Hakurei-san, I think you'll remember. Memories always come back."
> _
-
>"You're both welcome to pitch in with that."
>Frown, try to put more detail to that tiny Gensokyo bit.
-
>"You're both welcome to pitch in with that."
>Frown, try to put more detail to that tiny Gensokyo bit.
> Akyuu seems to wilt where she sits. "I don't know what happened with you, either, though."
> You think back to that night. Oh, it was night. You had to watch everything very closely, because the danmaku was the kind everyone used before spellcards became the norm. You must have gotten hit by some of those bullets.
> Suika reappears at this moment with a bundle of paper and writing materials. Akyuu practically grabs them from her and starts writing.
> _
-
>Try to remember who was firing them, and why.
>Idly listen to Yukari and Akyu in the meantime.
-
>Try to remember who was firing them, and why.
>Idly listen to Yukari and Akyu in the meantime.
> Why did they do that, anyway? You swear if you see them again, you'd exterminate them on the spot...
> "...the sun was blotted out for half the year, if I recall correctly," Yukari is saying.
> "Oh, I know about that..."
> "...Also, I believe that the Aki sisters experienced an exponential growth in faith after the incident itself..."
> They go on saying things like this. This is more boring than you thought. It sounds like they're just going over minor details of the incident. You feel sleepy just listening to them.
> _
-
> Man listening to them gab about potato gods and stuff is boring. Get comfy under the table or kotatsu or whatever and
fail to pay attention.
-
> Man listening to them gab about potato gods and stuff is boring. Get comfy under the table or kotatsu or whatever and fail to pay attention.
> It's the kotatsu, because you're lazy and never put it away, but the heater is not on because it's summer and you'd be broiled miko otherwise.
> You leave them to their own affairs and disappear under the kotatsu. Your foot nudges something and you realize Suika is under there too. She looks half-asleep and doesn't notice you, but you feel something crawling on your arm. It's a mini-Suika. She looks like she's trying very hard to reach your shoulder.
> _
-
>Let the mini-Suika do so. Surely this won't end in regret.
-
>Let the mini-Suika do so. Surely this won't end in regret.
> The mini-Suikas, unlike the actual Suika, are harmless. You let this little one reach your shoulder.
> She wraps some of your hair around herself and talks into your ear in a tiny Suika voice.
> "Heeey, it's not your fault y'know. Yukari isn't gonna play Miss Exposition for you, though. Trust me I know these things."
> _
-
>Mumble, hopefully below Yukari's hearing, "Yeah, that'd make her useful."
-
>Mumble, hopefully below Yukari's hearing, "Yeah, that'd make her useful."
> "She's useful in her own way," says the mini-Suika. She yawns and snuggles into your hair a bit. "I'm gonna turn in for the night. If you have any questions or anything I'll answer 'em in the morning."
> _
-
>"Kay,"
>Let her snuggle up. Totally don't drift off ourselves...
-
>"Kay,"
>Let her snuggle up. Totally don't drift off ourselves...
> The mini-Suika quickly falls asleep in your hair. You feel ready to fall asleep yourself, but you have to stay awake. You'd rather fall asleep in nice, soft futon than under the table. Besides, Yukari is still here and you'd rather wait until you can confirm she won't raid your kitchen or something after you've conked out...
> _
-
>What are they going on about now, anyways?
-
>What are they going on about now, anyways?
> You...don't know, actually, there seems to be a lull in the conversation because it's quiet now.
> _
-
>What a bunch of boring guests.
>Don't drift off.
>Don't drift off!
>...Ah hell.
-
>What a bunch of boring guests.
>Don't drift off.
>Don't drift off!
>...Ah hell.
> You valiantly attempt to fight off the urge to sleep.
> ...
> That night, you dream you are floating in a black void. Then, the darkness splits open to reveal a stunning underwater landscape. Every shade of blue you've ever seen is here. It's in the ripples and the light that reflects in the water, and the over-sized fish that swim by your head. The current is strong and you are swept away with a vortex of bubbles. Your breath is taken away and you're struggling for air. You're reminded, for some reason, of the pebbles you see on the river bank: the water swallows them up and breaks them down, and they become fine grains on the river floor.
> You wake up, disoriented and confused. You're in your futon, and you feel something heavy across your stomach. It is dead silent.
> _
-
>Groan, look down to see what or who is on our stomach.
-
>Groan, look down to see what or who is on our stomach.
> Ugh, it's heavy...
> You look down. It's Suika. She's done that thing where she flails out of bed in her sleep and lands on you.
> _
-
>Oh good, we didn't get a horn through the gut...probably.
>Take a moment to gauge who else is there, then work to extract ourself without waking the little lush or anyone else who might be there.
-
>Oh good, we didn't get a horn through the gut...probably.
>Take a moment to gauge who else is there, then work to extract ourself without waking the little lush or anyone else who might be there.
> You'd have woken up the instant her horns punctured the blankets.
> You look left and right. It's just you, Suika, and Akyuu, who is fast asleep in the futon you laid out for her.
> With the experience of a professional, you slither out from under the blankets. Suika flops onto the ground without you supporting her body weight, but all she does is drool on the blankets.
> _
-
> Let's refresh our head and mouth with some cool water. Freaking weird dreams.
-
>Is it still raining?
>If not, open up a window and get a look at how bad things got washed out. Risk the same if the rain seems to have lightened up to something manageable.
-
> Let's refresh our head and mouth with some cool water. Freaking weird dreams.
> You head into the bathroom to wash your face and have a drink of water. Oh, god, water is everywhere.
>Is it still raining?
>If not, open up a window and get a look at how bad things got washed out. Risk the same if the rain seems to have lightened up to something manageable.
> It's not. Otherwise you'd hear it.
> You leave the bathroom and go to the nearest window. When you open it up, you...
> ...
> It has stopped raining. There's a gentle wind blowing now, carrying with it the scent of salt. You see, among the sparrows that usually visit your shrine, a flock of white birds you've never seen before. They seem unperturbed by the rivulets of water that run between the cobblestone. But what you see in the courtyard is the least strange view you have. Gensokyo's landscape, which you can see clearly from the shrine, is half-submerged by waves of semitransparent, shimmering water. From a distance you can barely make out shadowy shapes floating along underwater, and you hear the gentle lapping of waves in the distance. In the sky are suspended bubbles of the stuff, hanging against a backdrop of a pleasantly starry sky. The sun shines through a crack that runs along the sky like a scar.
> It almost looks like a wound. You think you're going to get a headache looking at it. It looks painful.
> _
-
>Mental list of people who could have done this.
-
>Mental list of people who could have done this.
> Possibly Sanae, this kind of colorful stuff isn't beyond her tastes. You rule out Kanako because you know she likes to keep herself in good favor with other people. You wouldn't put this kind of thing past the kappa, but none of them have this kind of power. It might be an illusion pulled by faeries but it's so easy to tell when they're planning something, you would've taken notice days beforehand. Yukari might be another culprit because of the birds, which you've never seen in Gensokyo before. Judging by the state of the sky, you briefly consider Flandre, who could break anything she wants. You also suspect Tenshi, who has caused natural disasters for attention.
> You hear Suika sleep-mumbling in the other room.
> _
-
>Let's have a look around and try to figure out what got submerged.
>Also, how does the three faeries' house seem to be doing?
-
>Let's have a look around and try to figure out what got submerged.
>Also, how does the three faeries' house seem to be doing?
> You sidle around to the back of the shrine to take a look at the three faeries' place.
> The pond in your backyard, which is emitting a warm glow from the center, seems to have flooded over, and the bottoms of the trees in your orchard are submerged. You believe the three faeries' tree is among them.
> From where you're standing, you can see that even your hot springs have taken a hit. Well, at least it's not winter.
> _
-
>Contemplate that glow.
-
>
Get Sango to clean up this mess because seriously.
> Speak aloud. "Hey, Yukari. Wake up. We need to have words."
-
> Get Sango to clean up this mess because seriously.
>Deny all responsibility.
-
>Contemplate that glow.
> It's a bronze-colored glow. Whatever is causing it must be pretty impressive, if it can shine all the from the bottom of the pond. At least, you assume that the light source is at the bottom of the pond.
> Get Sango to clean up this mess because seriously.
> Speak aloud. "Hey, Yukari. Wake up. We need to have words."
> error: Sango.png not found
> You call out to Yukari and nothing happens. Of course.
>Deny all responsibility.
> <o> <o>
> _
-
>Schlep over to the edge of the pond and try to get an idea of what is causing the glow.
>Try to get a good feel for the extent of the flood damage. Also ponder what Genjii is up to in all this.
-
>Schlep over to the edge of the pond and try to get an idea of what is causing the glow.
>Try to get a good feel for the extent of the flood damage. Also ponder what Genjii is up to in all this.
> Ugh, it's so wet. At least you can fly.
> You peer into the pond. The water is unusually clear, but you're not questioning this gift. At the bottom of the pond is what you assume to be a small piece of glass.
> You'd say a lot of Gensokyo has probably been affected by this. As for your shrine, it doesn't seem like your roof is leaking, but with all this water you're afraid the basement is going to be waterlogged.
> Genji is a turtle...tortoise...he'll be fine. He's probably floating around somewhere right now.
> _
-
>Can we reach the piece of glass without getting soaked?
-
>Doesn't matter. Get it anyway.
-
>Can we reach the piece of glass without getting soaked?
> No.
>Doesn't matter. Get it anyway.
> It's not like getting wet will kill you, so you dive into the pond.
> ...In hindsight, perhaps you shouldn't have leapt in fully-clothed. Not only is it hard to move, but you're being dragged towards the bottom. Which is where the glass is, but returning to the surface will be a problem.
> _
-
> Drag ourselves out, and make sure we're correctly attired for jumping in questionable ponds to grab mysterious objects.
-
>Also, try to gauge the depth. It's not like we're a swimguy. Perhaps we can nab it with something.
-
>Also, try to gauge the depth. It's not like we're a swimguy. Perhaps we can nab it with something.
> Do this first. No sense in jumping in again if we don't need to.
-
>Also, try to gauge the depth. It's not like we're a swimguy. Perhaps we can nab it with something.
> It's quite deep. You can see the bottom, but you doubt you could hold your breath for that long.
> Drag ourselves out, and make sure we're correctly attired for jumping in questionable ponds to grab mysterious objects.
> With some difficulty, you extract yourself from the pond. At least it's not winter.
> _
-
>Wring out clothes, and contemplate if we have anything long enough to get down there.
>Then ponder the likelihood of the underground getting flooded out in a similar fashion.
-
>Wring out clothes, and contemplate if we have anything long enough to get down there.
>Then ponder the likelihood of the underground getting flooded out in a similar fashion.
> As you wring the water from your skirt, you contemplate your options. It's not like you have a long pole to stick down there or anything...
> If there's this much water above ground, the underground is probably like a fish bowl at this point. Probably. You don't know how that would work out.
> You hear Suika calling you from the shrine.
> _
-
>Definitely going to have to look into that shortly, then. Can't have Satori be waterlogged.
>Head inside to see what Suika wants.
-
>Definitely going to have to look into that shortly, then. Can't have Satori be waterlogged.
>Head inside to see what Suika wants.
> You return to the shrine while worrying about Satori.
> When you get inside, you see Suika standing in the kitchen, looking half-asleep.
> "Oh, there you are, Reimu...why're you all wet?"
> _
-
> Contemplate the wisdom of tossing Suika out there to show her.
> Nah.
> "The shrine's a bit waterlogged from the rain last night." Gesture out the door to invite her to have a look.
-
>"Hey, are you any good at swimming? There's some weird glowing glass thing in the pond I want to get."
-
She might be good at wading.
-
> Contemplate the wisdom of tossing Suika out there to show her.
> Nah.
> "The shrine's a bit waterlogged from the rain last night." Gesture out the door to invite her to have a look.
> That'd be hilarious. You should do it.
> But you don't.
> Suika steps outside, squints in a confused manner, and then looks up at the sky.
> "Damn."
>"Hey, are you any good at swimming? There's some weird glowing glass thing in the pond I want to get."
> "Yeah I can swim!" says Suika. "I could even just stick my arm in there if you really wanted me too. Depends on how big this glass thing is."
> _
-
> ... Oh. Right. She can do that whole size thingy. Didn't she get into a fight with Sanae's puppet that one time?
> "Right, go for it." INECK CHOCK (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTvh_gsm0DI)
-
>Then go back inside to check on Akyuu.
>If she's still asleep, give her a gentle nudge and say, "Hey, you're missing some history."
-
> ... Oh. Right. She can do that whole size thingy. Didn't she get into a fight with Sanae's puppet that one time?
> "Right, go for it." INECK CHOCK (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTvh_gsm0DI)
> She did. It was incredible.
> Suika flexes her muscles and grows to the size of a small house. The power is flowing through my veins!!!
>Then go back inside to check on Akyuu.
>If she's still asleep, give her a gentle nudge and say, "Hey, you're missing some history."
> As Suika sticks her arm in the pond, you go back inside to see how Akyuu is doing.
> She's still asleep, so you very carefully nudge her awake. She looks around blearily and responds with a half-awake mumble.
> "Mmrgh..."
> _
-
>Nudge nudge.
>"There's history out there, you should probably see it."
>If she doesn't wake up, head back outside.
-
>What are the odds of casualties? Is this an eventuality Gensokyo is prepared for, or will people have been caught off guard?
-
>Nudge nudge.
>"There's history out there, you should probably see it."
>If she doesn't wake up, head back outside.
> Akyuu swings her arm in your general direction, in a sleepy sort of way, but she does get up and stagger out of her futon.
>What are the odds of casualties? Is this an eventuality Gensokyo is prepared for, or will people have been caught off guard?
> No way, even flooding is uncommon around these parts. Gensokyo is all forests and mountains, and even you've never seen this much water before.
> You hope everyone's okay...
> _
-
>Head back outside, while considering what places are nearby and what would serve as a good quick inspection route.
-
>Head back outside, while considering what places are nearby and what would serve as a good quick inspection route.
> You go back outside, and see Suika sitting on the edge of the pond, soaking wet. The strange light is around her now.
> Places closest to the shrine are Kourindou, the Forest of Magic, the entrance to the Underground, and if you're feeling adventurous, the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
> _
-
>
Look like Suika's got The Glow. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWVhiIisH30)
> "What's that, Suika?"
-
> Look like Suika's got The Glow. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWVhiIisH30)
> "What's that, Suika?"
> yoooOOOO
> Suika looks over her shoulder at you. "I think it's some kind of magic artifact! When I touched it, I was shrunk back down to my normal size and had to go swimming for it."
> _
-
>"Did you get it?"
>Move in to get a closer look if she says she did.
-
>"Did you get it?"
>Move in to get a closer look if she says she did.
> "Duh," Suika says, and moves her bangs out of her face.
> You lean over her shoulder, and see that she's holding a palm-sized shard of bronze glass in her hand. It gives off an oppressive aura.
> "So do you want it or what?'
> _
-
>Take it and examine it, unless that aura seems like it would be actively harmful.
-
>If we're unable to figure out what this thing is or what it does, who do we know that would have a better idea?
-
>Consider Rinnosuke.
(probably know its name and purpose, but not how to use it)
-
>Take it and examine it, unless that aura seems like it would be actively harmful.
> Obtained: 1/8 Shard
> A mysterious bronze shard that gives off a warm glow. What exactly is it, and where did it come from? You have no idea.
> It feels a little heavy for a piece of glass. But other than that, you don't readily notice any ill effects.
>If we're unable to figure out what this thing is or what it does, who do we know that would have a better idea?
>Consider Rinnosuke.
(probably know its name and purpose, but not how to use it)
> You remember Rinnosuke and his seemingly useless ability. Looks like it wasn't as useless as you thought.
> _
-
>Has it given us the glow?
>"Think I'm going to go show this to Rinnosuke, and see what he has to say about it."
>Contemplate what parts of Gensokyo occupy lower elevations.
-
>Would Yukari know anything about it?
-
>Has it given us the glow?
>"Think I'm going to go show this to Rinnosuke, and see what he has to say about it."
>Contemplate what parts of Gensokyo occupy lower elevations.
> Yes. Whoever holds it appears to be bathed in its glow.
> Suika is pond water from her hair. "Can you tell him I said hi for me? I wanna see how my buddies underground are doing."
> The Human Village, parts of the Forest of Magic, the Bamboo Forest, the Garden of the Sun, and the Sanzu River and all locations associated with it.
>Would Yukari know anything about it?
> She might.
> _
-
>Well, if the village is in the lowlands, we probably have a job to do. What time is it, and do we know of anything in the kitchen we can grab for a breakfast on the way there?
>"Be sure to give them a hand up at the Palace of the Earth Spirits. I'll be along later on."
-
>Wonder what the Yuuka danger level is now.
-
>Well, if the village is in the lowlands, we probably have a job to do. What time is it, and do we know of anything in the kitchen we can grab for a breakfast on the way there?
>"Be sure to give them a hand up at the Palace of the Earth Spirits. I'll be along later on."
> You can make some toast and eat that on the way.
> "Okay!" Suika stands up and shakes the rest of the water from her hair. Tiny droplets rain upon you.
>Wonder what the Yuuka danger level is now.
> Yuuka is most likely still very dangerous, but you wonder how well she can protect a flooded flower field.
> _
-
>Wipe off droplets, flick them back at Suika.
>Go ready up some quick toast.
-
>Do we have enough (if any) power to run the toaster so we can make said toast?
-
>Can we use talismans or spellcards to make toast?
-
>Wipe off droplets, flick them back at Suika.
>Go ready up some quick toast.
>Do we have enough (if any) power to run the toaster so we can make said toast?
> You shake off the water back at Suika, and then return to the shrine.
> It seems the power is working again, so you're able to use the toaster.
>Can we use talismans or spellcards to make toast?
> That would be an exceptionally frivolous use of your powers! You make sure to remember this idea.
> Ding. The toast is ready.
> _
-
>What's Akyu up to?
-
>What's Akyu up to?
> You look around for Akyuu. Her futon has been folded up neatly and set aside. She must have gone outside.
> _
-
>Head outside and find her.
Show her the glass and say "Any idea what this is? I found it in my pond."
-
>Perhaps we could save time and scribe the fire-glyphs directly onto the bread.
>When was the last time Suika dressed up like a shrine maiden?
-
>Perhaps we could save time and scribe the fire-glyphs directly onto the bread.
>Don't do this, since we don't want to burn the already toasted toast that came out of the toaster a short while ago.
-
>Head outside and find her.
Show her the glass and say "Any idea what this is? I found it in my pond."
> Toast in hand, you go to the front path of the shrine and find her at the top of the shrine's steps, holding her skirts above her ankles and looking forlornly at the scenery.
> Akyuu purses her lips. "Hm......I can't find any memories linked to it, so no."
>Perhaps we could save time and scribe the fire-glyphs directly onto the bread.
>When was the last time Suika dressed up like a shrine maiden?
>Don't do this, since we don't want to burn the already toasted toast that came out of the toaster a short while ago.
> You consider branding your toast, but ultimately come to the conclusion that it would reduce the poor bread to little more than char.
> The last time Suika wore your clothes was last week. She was house-sitting while you were running errands all day.
> _
-
>Welp, it's
ADVENTURE INCIDENT RESOLVING TIME.
>"I'm heading out, first stop is Kourindou and Human Village. You coming along or staying here?"
-
>"If you're staying, see if you can wrangle the faeries-"
>Jerk head toward their tree.
>"-into cleaning up a bit."
-
>Welp, it's ADVENTURE INCIDENT RESOLVING TIME.
>"I'm heading out, first stop is Kourindou and Human Village. You coming along or staying here?"
>"If you're staying, see if you can wrangle the faeries-"
>Jerk head toward their tree.
>"-into cleaning up a bit."
> Looks like you've got an INCIDENT to solve.
> Akyuu returns her gaze to the flooded Gensokyo landscape, and sighs a bit reluctantly.
> "...I'll stay. I don't think there's anything I could do in this situation."
> When you mention the faeries, she looks doubtful.
> "Will they listen to me?"
> _
-
> How did Suika fit into our clothes? Is she actually able to do more than toggle between normal, giant and tiny?
-
>Shrug. "I dunno. Same way you get a faerie to do anything, I guess. Oh, and let people who come to complain know I'm on it, alright?"
>Depart to Kourindou!
-
> How did Suika fit into our clothes? Is she actually able to do more than toggle between normal, giant and tiny?
> Your clothes are pretty big on her, because she's so small to begin with. She can make herself bigger, but not taller or fuller-figured. Typical youkai-disguising-as-humans stories you've read about don't apply here.
>Shrug. "I dunno. Same way you get a faerie to do anything, I guess. Oh, and let people who come to complain know I'm on it, alright?"
> Akyuu nods. "Leave it to me."
> _
-
>Go get our asskickin' gohei and anything else we tend to take when we're on business, then head out toward Kourindou if it is on the way to the village. If it's not on the way, go directly to the village.
-
>Go get our asskickin' gohei and anything else we tend to take when we're on business, then head out toward Kourindou if it is on the way to the village. If it's not on the way, go directly to the village.
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/imlateforyoukaiextermination_zpsf819c355.png)
> You make sure all your weapons are safe in your inventory, and make haste for Kourindou. It's on the way to the village.
> You descend the shrine steps and find yourself wallowing in ankle-deep water. Although the forests closest to the shrine aren't completely submerged, they're still wet and muggy. Along the way, you either see youkai sitting in high branches shivering wet or fish youkai swimming in flooded creeks. It's so humid here that you're sweating by the time you reach Kourindou.
> The water is still ankle-deep here, at least the place hasn't completely sunk. You hear voices coming from inside.
> _
-
>Does it look like we can get inside without flooding the place?
>If not, go bang on a window.
-
>Who's voices are we hearing, and should we expect trouble?
-
>Does it look like we can get inside without flooding the place?
>If not, go bang on a window.
>Who's voices are we hearing, and should we expect trouble?
> Water has most likely already gotten under the door, but you decide to be courteous and bang on a window anyway. You hear sloshing sounds, and then the door opens to reveal a disgruntled Rinnosuke. He was one of the voices you heard; the other belongs to the small-fry ibis youkai who works for him. The worst you're anticipating is getting your sleeves wet.
> "What is it?" When he sees that it's you, he lets out a small sigh. "How rare of you to knock."
> _
-
>"I was hoping you didn't get flooded out inside. Oh well."
>Show him the glass.
>"Any idea what this is?"
>Do we have any money?
-
>"I was hoping you didn't get flooded out inside. Oh well."
>Show him the glass.
>"Any idea what this is?"
>Do we have any money?
> "We sort of did," Rinnosuke says, "But it doesn't matter. We managed to save most of our valuables."
> He takes the shard from you and inspects it.
> "It's a shell fragment. A shell is used to seal things, but this one is incomplete," he rattles off, and hands the shard back to you.
> You have 1500μ.
> _
-
>"Shell of what?"
>Did he get the glow while holding it, and did we regain the glow upon taking it back?
>"And are you open? Has anyone else shown up?"
-
>"Shell of what?"
>Did he get the glow while holding it, and did we regain the glow upon taking it back?
>"And are you open? Has anyone else shown up?"
> "A shell of whatever needs to be sealed away," Rinnosuke snorts.
> He did. Whoever holds the shards seems to get the glow.
> "We're having a bit of a crisis right now, so not at the moment," he says. "No customers so far, but we have some people expecting packages. I'd send Tokiko out but I need her here to help clean up the shop. Why, did you want something?"
> _
-
>"Maybe, if there's anything good this time."
-
>"Maybe, if there's anything good this time."
> "Well, if you want to come in and take a look, the door's unlocked."
> _
-
>Might as well have a quick look.
-
>Wonder if they have green vegetable juice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7ytRYpNris
-
>Might as well have a quick look.
>Wonder if they have green vegetable juice.
> You leave the window and enter the shop through the front door. The water makes it difficult to get the door open, but soon enough you're inside the shop with no less water in your shoes than before. The tables that litter the shop creak under the weight of products that have been piled on them to keep from getting wet. Things are hanging from the rafters and stuffed onto shelves, but there are still quite a few things that have been rendered useless by the water. Rinnosuke is stepping away from the window, and you see now that he carrying a bucket of water in each hand, filled from either the water on the floor or the leaks in the ceiling.
> Tokiko is perched on the counter wearing one of Rinnosuke's spare outfits. She's in the middle of wrapping some brown paper packages in plastic.
> Kourindou rarely sells actual food, so you doubt there'd be any of that kind of juice now.
> _
-
>"I wanna go check out the extent of the damage. Do you have anything that'd make it easier to get around underwater?"
>On that note, do we know any sort of water-breathing charm? If not, we might want to ask Marisa or someone else about it.
-
>"Or maybe something that makes you swim better?"
>Glance around at the more interesting-looking things.
-
>"I wanna go check out the extent of the damage. Do you have anything that'd make it easier to get around underwater?"
>On that note, do we know any sort of water-breathing charm? If not, we might want to ask Marisa or someone else about it.
> "Unfortunately not," Rinnosuke says. "We've never been stocked with those kinds of items, but we have the right kind of fabric if you want me to make you a swimsuit."
> In a more businesslike tone, he asks, "Would you like to see what's available anyway?"
> You don't. You specialize in holy/purifying/sealing magic. You consider asking Marisa about it.
>"Or maybe something that makes you swim better?"
>Glance around at the more interesting-looking things.
> "We have an inflatable inner tube," Tokiko says in a quiet voice.
> You take a look at the shop's wares. A lot of things have been wrapped up in plastic for safety, but the shelves behind the counter seem available.
> _
-
>Consider the inner tube. If nothing else, we might be able to save someone with it later.
>Likewise with the swimsuit - we saw earlier our mobility in the water is rather unimpressive.
>Examine the shelves behind the counter.
-
>Consider the inner tube. If nothing else, we might be able to save someone with it later.
>Likewise with the swimsuit - we saw earlier our mobility in the water is rather unimpressive.
>Examine the shelves behind the counter.
> The inner tube and swimsuit might come in handy later. Especially the latter.
> You stand at the counter and examine the goods displayed there. Tokiko moves out of the way for you, taking the packages with her.
> "This is all we're selling at the moment," she says.
> KOURINDOU INVENTORY
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/charactericon_rinnosuke_zps134bbe6f.png) (http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/charactericon_tokiko_zps01428ba4.png)
> Towel x1
> A soft, fluffy, all-purpose white towel.
> Wicker Basket x1
> A sturdy wicker basket. You can carry items in here.
> Bottle of Soot x1
> Multi-purpose magical soot. Be creative.
> Flower Pot x6
> Heavy clay flower pot, for all your gardening needs.
> Maneki Neko x3
> Comes in large, medium, and small.
> Stuffed Rabbit x1
> Torn and missing an eye, this toy has clearly seen better days.
> Plain dress x2 (http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/plaindressdesign_zps16e24edd.png)
> A dress for everyday wear. This simple design is popular among girls.
> Hooded dress x3
> A dress made for cold conditions, with or without ears on the hood. This fashion is popular among underground youkai.
> x (http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/hoodeddressdesign_deer_zpsbefa643a.png) / x (http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/hoodeddressdesign_nohood_zps4387eb7d.png) / x (http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/hoodeddressdesign_bear_zps00e7e724.png)
> Talisman dress x2 (http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/talismandressdesign_zps232e0e85.png)
> A dress decorated with magic seals. This sophisticated design is popular among magicians.
> Floral dress x3 (http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/floraldressdesign_zps393064cd.png)
> A dress made of light, flowy fabric. This innocent design is loved by faeries.
> Tea Set x1
> A tea set with red roses painted on it. The packaging claims that any tea served with this set will have healing properties.
> Antique Music Box x1
> A music box that plays a melancholy tune. The user recalls memories at random.
> Antique Snow Globe x1
> A seemingly ordinary snow globe. Inside is a small model of a house.
> Old fashioned camera x1
> This isn't the kind of camera tengu use: it's much too big and bulky.
> Moth hair pin x5
> Moth means no harm. Moth is lost and confused. Be gentle to moth.
> Dragonfly hair pin x5
> A hair accessory that makes you nostalgic for the summers of your childhood.
> Butterfly hair pin x5
> The kind of thing you'd wear with formal clothing.
> Fabric
> A wide variety of fabric in different colors, designs, and textures.
> Gilded Tanuki Leaf x1
> The ultimate tanuki leaf. Embellished with gold leafing.
> Fish Scarf x2
> A long, blue, silk scarf shaped like a fish.
> Milk Puzzle x2
> A puzzle where the pieces are all white. Requires a great deal of skill to complete.
> Ocarina x1
> A small wooden instrument painted with geometric shapes. Attracts birds and bird youkai.
> Oil Pastels x2
> Messy, but oh-so-satisfying to use.
> Lantern x1
> Yours to fill with oil and light on fire. Yours to illuminate the darkness with.
> Worry Dolls x2
> God help you if all these become tsukumogami. There are so many of them.
> Jar of Beads x1
> A jar filled with beads of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
> Hammer x1
> A vicious-looking hammer, for everyday use.
> Bag of marbles x1
> A bag of magic marbles that can be used to spy on people, as long as you have the largest one with you.
> Inflatable inner tube x1
> For those who can't swim, or are too lazy to.
> Payment is made either by trading goods or asking a price from the shopkeep. Since Rinnosuke's busy trying to keep the place from flooding, it looks like you'll be doing business with Tokiko today.
> _
-
>Ask for prices on the swimsuit/innertube. Consider how likely Tokiko is to give in to haggling.
>"How much for the lantern? Is it airtight?"
-
>Ask for prices on the swimsuit/innertube. Consider how likely Tokiko is to give in to haggling.
>"How much for the lantern? Is it airtight?"
> If you shake her around a little she'll probably lower the prices for you.
> "Having a swimsuit made should cost around...um...40μ? The inner tube is 35μ," says Tokiko. "The lantern is 15μ. It shouldn't get any water in it if you're careful..."
> _
-
Those hooded dresses are too cute.
>We can carry things in our sleeves, right?
>Examine house inside snow globe. Recognizable?
>How nice is our current tea set? Would this one be an upgrade?
>Would being out of uniform be a problem for resolving incidents?
-
>We can carry things in our sleeves, right?
>Examine house inside snow globe. Recognizable?
>How nice is our current tea set? Would this one be an upgrade?
>Would being out of uniform be a problem for resolving incidents?
> You can carry just about anything in your sleeves.
> Tokiko lets you handle the snow globe so you can get a better look at its insides. There aren't any striking features that remind you of anywhere in Gensokyo.
> Your tea set is fine the way it is, and it works, but a tea set with magical properties and a fancy design certainly would be a step up from what you already have.
> You don't see how wearing different clothes would be a problem. If something were to happen to your spellcards or weapons, on the other hand...
> _
-
>Ask about the marbles and the price for them.
-
>Ask about the marbles and the price for them.
> "Th-the marbles? Um..." Tokiko flutters her wings. "You hold onto the biggest marble, and then you can roll the little ones under doors...and then..."
> "You can watch people from other rooms," Rinnosuke calls from across the room.
> "Yeah!" Tokiko perks up. "They're 50μ."
> _
-
>Wonder if Tokiko is his daughter.
-
>Wonder if Tokiko is his daughter.
> It certainly does seem that way. You would have assumed so, but you already know that Tokiko is just one of the youkai from the forest.
> _
-
That's pretty good for spy devices. Let's get 'em.
>Examine the jar of beads and ask for details.
-
>Examine the jar of beads and ask for details.
> Tokiko takes the jar off the shelf and shakes it a little. "These...? You make jewelry with them. We had string but we lost it in all the mess."
> _
-
>"How much?"
These are perfect for bribing faeries with, I think.
-
>"How much?"
> "35μ," Tokiko says, putting the jar back on the shelf.
> _
-
>How much of this money are we going to need for repairs and stuff, anyways? What's the kind of income we can expect and the status of favors we can call in?
>Inquire about the tea set.
-
>How much of this money are we going to need for repairs and stuff, anyways? What's the kind of income we can expect and the status of favors we can call in?
>Inquire about the tea set.
> The shrine isn't too badly damaged, but you'd need a lot more than what you have on your person. You have some more money stashed away in the shrine for emergencies, and if need be you can hunt down people to lend a hand. Suika owes you chores just by living with you, so she'd be easy to recruit. The menreiki youkai, Kokoro, could also owe you a favor for starting an incident that one time. Aside from that...you're honestly stumped. You solve a lot of incidents, but you hardly ever do personal favors for people.
> "It's a magic tea set," Tokiko says. "It heals you if you're injured, but it only works with tea."
> _
-
>"Does it have to be hot? And how much?"
-
>"Does it have to be hot? And how much?"
> "No....I don't think so...And it's 150μ."
> _
-
I'm thinking we want the tea set for ourselves, beads to bribe faeries, and the marbles to look around places.
-
Yeah, but we should save a self-reward for us after we accomplish something. I was thinking the tea set, or maybe the hooded dress and basket. We also should place an order for a
school swimsuit.
-
We also should place an order for a school swimsuit.
Now you're speaking my language.
>Is there anything pressing we may need to buy outside of Kourindou? If so we should probably but a ceiling on our spending.
-
Oh, the tea set isn't a reward. It's a tool. We may need to recover faster than usual, or help someone else do so.
Also I got no problems with swamsuits
-
>Actually, regarding the swimsuit - do we have options regarding the swimsuit's design, or is it one type only?
-
>Is there anything pressing we may need to buy outside of Kourindou? If so we should probably but a ceiling on our spending.
> No. You already have groceries.
>Actually, regarding the swimsuit - do we have options regarding the swimsuit's design, or is it one type only?
> Rinnosuke will most likely let you make your own design.
> _
-
I trust Roukan to design a swamsuit proper.
>Get the marbles, tea set, and beads. And ask for a carrying bag if necessary.
-
I trust Roukan to design a swamsuit proper.
>Get the marbles, tea set, and beads. And ask for a carrying BASKET if necessary.
-
>Get the marbles, tea set, and beads. And ask for a carrying bag if necessary.
> Tokiko fumbles around in one of the drawers, takes out a rectangular device, and punches some buttons on it.
> "That will be...235μ."
> 1500μ ---> 1265μ
> Obtained: Tea Set x1, Bag of marbles x1, Jar of Beads x1
> "Thank you for your patronage!" Tokiko recites with a smile. The wing on the back of her head flaps a few times. "Um...a...a basket? D-do we--"
> "No," Rinnosuke says as he places a bucket under a steady stream of water coming from the ceiling.
> Tokiko turns back to you. "I can wrap that up in plastic if you want."
> _
-
>"Sure."
>We feel confident about putting these in the sleeves, yes?
-
I guess the 1 x wicker basket is only if you pay for it separately.
>"Also I would like to place an order for a swimsuit."
-
>"Sure."
>We feel confident about putting these in the sleeves, yes?
> Tokiko nods and starts wrapping your purchases in plastic.
> Of course. You could fit a chair in your sleeves if you wanted.
>"Also I would like to place an order for a swimsuit."
> "Hmm...what color and design do you want?" Tokiko asks.
> _
-
Apparently I'm in charge of design, so:
> A red one-piece, with pink frills running along the waist. And a yin-yang orb emblem on the chest, just so people REALLY know who they're screwing with.
> "Can I get the inner tube too? It's not for me. Probably."
> Serious question time - could this incident have caused any casualties? If so, where's the area in the most danger right now? The Underground?
-
> A red one-piece, with pink frills running along the waist. And a yin-yang orb emblem on the chest, just so people REALLY know who they're screwing with.
> "Can I get the inner tube too? It's not for me. Probably."
> Serious question time - could this incident have caused any casualties? If so, where's the area in the most danger right now? The Underground?
> You describe the design to Tokiko, who writes it hastily on a scrap of paper. She hands it over to Rinnosuke, who drops everything he's doing and goes to the back of the shop.
> "That'll be 10μ for the inner tube. We'll charge you for the swimsuit when it's done," Tokiko says. She reaches behind the counter and retrieves a large, transparent blue inner tube with brightly-colored fish patterned onto it.
> As bad as it sounds, there probably are casualties. Gensokyo wasn't ever exactly a water world, and as a result many of its residents are unable to swim. You imagine the Underground will be having a hard time dealing with this, as water filling up in there would be like filling a bottle and putting a cork on it.
> _
-
>Have we ever actually witnessed a youkai; or an oni in particular, ever really come close to drowning?
My suggestion is that we go to human town first out of dutifulness, since it's in a low area and since Lil ReiRei tends to take the protecting humans bit rather seriously. Especially since Suika is already going underground, so she can alleviate issues there.
-
>Pay the money.
>"I'm heading to the human village. Any message you want me to deliver while I'm there, to your mother Ms Kamishirasawa for example?
-
...and as a result many of its residents are unable to swim.
>Important question we probably need clarified - can we swim?
>Also, I can't believe we've never thought of this before - maybe we should visit the kappa once we've checked the human village is okay. If any race will have a countermeasure to this, it'll be them.
-
>Have we ever actually witnessed a youkai; or an oni in particular, ever really come close to drowning?
> No.
>Pay the money.
>"I'm heading to the human village. Any message you want me to deliver while I'm there, to your mother Ms Kamishirasawa for example?
> 1265μ ---> 1255μ
> "Umm..." Tokiko taps her chin. "Tell her we're okay here. Also, one of the packages here is for--"
> She grabs a small package and reads the label. "--for Fujiwara-san, in the Human Village."
>Important question we probably need clarified - can we swim?
>Also, I can't believe we've never thought of this before - maybe we should visit the kappa once we've checked the human village is okay. If any race will have a countermeasure to this, it'll be them.
> Yes. You have a pond in your backyard, after all.
> In a sudden moment of brilliance, you remember the kappa. They don't dislike humans, and they'll probably know what to do in this situation.
> _
-
>"Thanks!"
>Head out, and toward Humanville.
-
>"Thanks!"
>Head out, and toward Humanville.
> Obtained: Inflatable Inner Tube x1
> "Ah..." Tokiko starts to say something to you, but you're already out the door and on your way to the Human Village.
> As you proceed towards the village, the water gets deeper and deeper, until your skirts are billowing up around you. You manage to find a hill to climb up to avoid the worst of the water, and look out over the valley where the Human Village is.
> It's worse than it looked from the shrine. The entire village, built on flat ground, is completely underwater. The very familiar shadow of a large ship reflects down on the sunken village. You identify it as the Palaquin, which seems to have been reverted to its original ship form. Farther off, you see rafts of bamboo floating in the water. A single silver-haired figure can be seen swimming over the buildings. There are a great deal of fish here, many of which you've never seen before. A small swarm of big ones with fins on their backs cut through the water, making a beeline for a destination unbeknownst to you.
> _
-
A single silver-haired figure can be seen swimming over the buildings.
Sango?!
>Is there any sign of anyone in immediate danger? If not, fly down to the silver-haired person and try to initiate discussion.
-
>Fly.
>Examine large fish.
>Approach and greet swimming person.
>Wonder where the fish came from.
-
>Is there any sign of anyone in immediate danger? If not, fly down to the silver-haired person and try to initiate discussion.
>Fly.
>Examine large fish.
>Approach and greet swimming person.
>Wonder where the fish came from.
> All seems calm, so you fly over the water and try to get the swimming person's attention. She looks up at you and lets loose a stream of bubbles from her mouth.
> Now that you're closer, you're able to recognize this woman as Fujiwara no Mokou. She's dressed in a tank top and shorts, and nearly splashes you with water as she surfaces.
> "Hey, red-white! I knew you'd show up sooner or later," Mokou says.
> You watch the larger fish as they pass by. They look rather daunting, but they seem to be ignoring the both of you. They can't have come from here; did they come in with the water?
> _
-
>"Mokou! Good to see you're holding up the fort. What's the situation?"
>Pull out Mokou's package. "Also, Rinnosuke said this was for you."
-
>"Mokou! Good to see you're holding up the fort. What's the situation?"
>Pull out Mokou's package. "Also, Rinnosuke said this was for you."
> "Bad," Mokou says as she combs back her bangs. "Everyone else is on that ship over there, and I'm on the hunt for a floating body I saw earlier. You didn't happen to see a girl looking in her early to mid teens around here, did you?"
> She takes the package from you and holds it up over her head.
> "Sweet. Send them my thanks."
> _
-
>"...No."
>Look around for the body. "Where was the last place anyone saw her?"
>On that note...when was the last time we saw Satori? Oh god oh god oh god
-
>"...No."
>Look around for the body. "Where was the last place anyone saw her?"
>On that note...when was the last time we saw Satori? Oh god oh god oh god
> You look around and see nobody...no body, that is.
> Mokou clicks her tongue. "Around Myouren, or the graveyard a few nights ago, I think."
> You internally panic over Satori. You think the last time you saw her was last Saturday or Sunday.
> _
-
>Do we have any sort of tracking spell?
>"Who else is looking? And what areas have already been checked off?"
-
>Do we have any sort of tracking spell?
>"Who else is looking? And what areas have already been checked off?"
> No.
> "Just me, at the moment. The search just started. Others'll be joining me, though...so far, I know she can't be in the village because she was floating."
> _
-
>Which way is the current flowing? If she was floating, that's presumably the direction she went.
-
>Which way is the current flowing? If she was floating, that's presumably the direction she went.
> It's flowing north, over the submerged fields.
> _
-
>Then we'd better check that way.
>"I'll go on ahead. Let me know if you find her first, alright?"
>Follow the current and fly north.
-
>Then we'd better check that way.
>"I'll go on ahead. Let me know if you find her first, alright?"
>Follow the current and fly north.
> "Got it." Mokou stuffs the package down the front of her shirt and sinks underwater.
> You follow the current farther away from the ship and over the fields. You don't see any bodies, but you do see lots of fish, especially the large finned ones. They all seem to be swimming in the same direction you are.
> _
-
>How much do we know about fish? Are these big ones native to Gensokyo?
>Do we have any idea where the current is going to lead at this point? My first guess is the underground given that it'll probably serve as a basin for all the water, but that's a dangerous assumption.
-
>How much do we know about fish? Are these big ones native to Gensokyo?
>Do we have any idea where the current is going to lead at this point? My first guess is the underground given that it'll probably serve as a basin for all the water, but that's a dangerous assumption.
> You don't recognize any of these fish.
> You're not sure where the current is headed. You have a bad feeling that it's going to drain underground, but you don't know for certain.
> As you fly, the larger fish swim ahead towards the bank, which is really just made of the tops of some trees skimming the surface of the water.
> _
-
>Check the trees. If the floating body was looking for support, it's a reasonable place for them to try and grab onto.
-
>Check the trees. If the floating body was looking for support, it's a reasonable place for them to try and grab onto.
> You float over the tops of the trees. You can't see anything from here, but why are there so many fish gathered here? They jostling each other, as if they're trying to get at something.
> _
-
>Move closer to the surface, try to see what they're fighting over.
-
>Move closer to the surface, try to see what they're fighting over.
> You drop down closer to the surface of the water and see a hand dangling from the branches.
> _
-
>Holy shit.
>...Is the hand attached to a body? Please tell me the hand is attached to a body.
-
>Holy shit.
>...Is the hand attached to a body? Please tell me the hand is attached to a body.
> Oh, god. You think you've found her.
> You take a closer look to see if there's a body. There is. Water is dripping from its...no, her skirt and shirt. She somehow got caught in the branches and is now suspended there, having miraculously kept both shoes. Her right arm is bent in an awkward angle and she isn't moving.
> _
-
>What are the fish doing around her, that we can see?
>Start plotting a way to fly in there and snag her. Someone's going to want to bury that body.
-
>What are the fish doing around her, that we can see?
>Start plotting a way to fly in there and snag her. Someone's going to want to bury that body.
> They're sticking their gross slimy mouths out of the water, trying to nip at her.
> You wonder how you're going to get that body. You could try parting the branches from above and grabbing her, or making like a fish and pull her out from below.
> _
-
>Fire some generalized danmaku in the general direction of the fish and shout, "Get!"
>Try to plot out how to grab her from above.
>Do we feel confident we could carry her back?
-
>Fire some generalized danmaku in the general direction of the fish and shout, "Get!"
>Try to plot out how to grab her from above.
>Do we feel confident we could carry her back?
> You scatter the fish with some basic danmaku. Within seconds, you're alone with the corpse.
> You could try and clear the branches above her, and drag her out.
> She seems light enough for you to carry back.
> _
-
>Clear out some branches and try to gt down to her. Do keep a wary eye on her, though, in case she turns out to be one of those zomberts. Can't been too careful about those with Seiga and the like around.
-
>Clear out some branches and try to gt down to her. Do keep a wary eye on her, though, in case she turns out to be one of those zomberts. Can't been too careful about those with Seiga and the like around.
> You use your danmaku to clear away the branches.
> You now have a clear view of the girl, who still hasn't moved. She's laying face-down on the branches with leaves in her dark blue hair. Her clothes, although nothing too flashy, seem different from that of the clothes the people from the village wear. Your suspicions are confirmed when you pick her up: she is very light. Once she's in your arms, you notice a tattered piece of paper stuck to her forehead. Most likely from debris floating in the water or something.
> The entire time you are handle this body, you are forcibly reminded of that hermit Seiga. Before she came to Gensokyo you didn't have to worry about this stuff. Luckily, she's not a grave robber...you think.
> _
-
>Try to wrap our arms around her torso and hold her against ours, then float upward. That way if she tries something we can drop her back into the drink.
>"Hey, can you hear me?"
-
>Try to wrap our arms around her torso and hold her against ours, then float upward. That way if she tries something we can drop her back into the drink.
>"Hey, can you hear me?"
> You adjust your hold on her and end up in something of an awkward hug. At least it'll be easier to dump her if anything happens.
> You try speaking to her, but she doesn't respond.
> _
-
>Oh well, Back to the village with her.
>Is this the braindead one we fought beforehand, during the whole Miko shebang?
-
>Oh well, Back to the village with her.
>Is this the braindead one we fought beforehand, during the whole Miko shebang?
> You fly back towards the Palaquin. On your way, you pass by Mokou, who turns around in the water and starts following you back.
> You're sure of it. That incident happened recently enough for you to remember her face, at least.
> "That was fast," Mokou remarks from below.
> _
-
>"I had some luck. The fish were trying to nibble on her, so I just had to follow them. We'll have to be careful, though, since she's a jiang shi."
-
Dammit, Yoshika, you nearly gave me a heart attack. >:[
>Is it normal for a jiang shi to pass out like this?
-
>"I had some luck. The fish were trying to nibble on her, so I just had to follow them. We'll have to be careful, though, since she's a jiang shi."
> Mokou flips over and backstrokes all the way back to the boat.
> "Ah, well." She doesn't really sound disappointed, though.
>Is it normal for a jiang shi to pass out like this?
> Yes. This usually happens if they've been badly beat up, just sleeping, or if their ofuda has been damaged.
> _
-
>Drop Yoshika on the boat. Any clue if she'll wake up soon?
>"Anything else need done around here? I need to go check up on the underground."
-
>Drop Yoshika on the boat. Any clue if she'll wake up soon?
>"Anything else need done around here? I need to go check up on the underground."
> You land on the boat and drop Yoshika unceremoniously to the ground. This gets you quite a few stares from the many people on the deck. Mokou climbs up the side of the ship and lands on deck shortly after, and immediately starts wringing out her hair over the side of the ship. A few people approach her, most notably a distraught-looking older woman, but she just gestures to Yoshika on the ground.
> The vast majority here is human, but you do see some of Myouren's youkai on the other side of the deck, too. The hooded one--accompanied by her cloud companion as usual--is wearing a modest one piece swimsuit and talking earnestly to the ghost girl you identify as Murasa. She's leaning on the deck resting her head on her arms. A short girl with mouse ears emerges from below the deck--Nazrin, you think--holding her dowsing rods like swords, but when she sees Yoshika, she stops dead in her tracks.
> "You just went ahead without me, huh?" she scowls. Mokou flips her hair over her shoulder.
> "Yeah. You don't have to get wet now." Nazrin does a fist-pump and runs off to join the other Myouren youkai.
> Then she turns to you. "Keine probably wants to talk to you."
> _
-
>"Keine? Where is she?"
-
>"Keine? Where is she?"
> "The bow...I think." Mokou shrugs and kneels down next to Yoshika. The people who approached her earlier have since left her alone.
> _
-
>Go talk to the werecow.
>Do a quick headcount. Roughly how many people in the human village are unaccounted for?
-
>
Sternly bow to where Sanae made a star in the boards when the ship refused to return to port.
> Toss a thanks at Mokou before tracking down the teacher.
-
>Go talk to the werecow.
>Do a quick headcount. Roughly how many people in the human village are unaccounted for?
> Sternly bow to where Sanae made a star in the boards when the ship refused to return to port.
> Toss a thanks at Mokou before tracking down the teacher.
> You thank Mokou, who gives you a short wave, and head off to the bow.
> Bless our viridian angel and messiah, may her sacrifice never be in vain.
> You do a headcount and find roughly 50 people up on deck, minus the youkai. The odds of there being people below deck are all but certain, so there's no telling how many people have gone missing, or worse.
> You run into Keine on the stairs of the bow, where she is sitting with her head on her knees and her glorious hat sitting next to her.
> Keine looks up, and for a moment she looks absolutely defeated, but when she sees that it's you, she practically leaps to her feet.
> "Reimu! Where's Akyuu?!" For all it's worth, she looks like she's ready to go full hakutaku on the spot.
> _
-
>"Suika brought her up to the shrine last night, nothing to worry about there. How are things here?"
-
>
"Don't have a cow, man."
-
>"Suika brought her up to the shrine last night, nothing to worry about there. How are things here?"
> Keine sinks back onto the stairs, heaving a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank god..."
> "We're trying to take control of the situation. Last night was absolute hell, so our current situation is an improvement. I don't know if you would have wanted to be there."
> She rubs her temples.
> "Don't have a cow, man."
> Keine headbutts you for the awful pun.
> _
-
>"Are there any other villagers still missing? And have you heard anything about how the rest of Gensokyo is holding up?"
-
>"Are there any other villagers still missing? And have you heard anything about how the rest of Gensokyo is holding up?"
> "Yes and no. We've only just started searching for people."
> _
-
>"On a scale of bad to catastrophic, what are we looking at? Any way I can help out?"
-
>"On a scale of bad to catastrophic, what are we looking at? Any way I can help out?"
> "The latter, considering what we have to look forward to. We won't be able to return to the village until the water is gone, and, well...there aren't very many guaranteed safe spots for humans here, so if you come across somewhere to dock and set up camp, I'd be in your debt. Myouren won't be able to support all of us forever."
> _
-
>Ponder our geography, given what we've seen of the flooding, does it look like there is any easy place for them to dock?
>"Bet Murasa's about as happy as can be, though."
-
>Ponder our geography, given what we've seen of the flooding, does it look like there is any easy place for them to dock?
>"Bet Murasa's about as happy as can be, though."
> You'd have to find somewhere with little cover for opportunistic youkai to hide in, but obviously high enough to be untouched by the water.
> "Oh, she sure is," Keine says. "She keeps saying how much it reminds her of the ocean."
> _
-
>"Oh and
your daughter Tokiko and your husband Rinnosuke are doing fine."
-
>"Oh and your daughter Tokiko and your husband Rinnosuke are doing fine."
> "Oh, really? That's good." Keine smiles. "Their rickety little shop looks like anything could knock it over, you know."
> _
-
>"They are about ankle deep, though. So, want me to hang around and help look for people?"
-
>"They are about ankle deep, though. So, want me to hang around and help look for people?"
> "I think we have enough hands right now. What I do want you to do though," Keine says, "is to find out what's causing this."
> _
-
>"Don't worry, that was the plan."
>Check out the state of the underground. If we can afford to leave it for a while we can get more in the way of preparations, but Satori might need our help real fast :<
-
>See if we can scout out a good place for the Palaquin Ship to moor on the way.
-
>"Don't worry, that was the plan."
>Check out the state of the underground. If we can afford to leave it for a while we can get more in the way of preparations, but Satori might need our help real fast :<
> "I leave that up to you, then."
> You start to get increasingly worried about the Underground, and consider checking it out next. However, you won't know how everyone down there is doing while you're on this boat.
>See if we can scout out a good place for the Palaquin Ship to moor on the way.
> You start to fly off towards the ship with the intent of going to the Underground and looking for a docking area, but Mokou interrupts you with her shouting.
> "Hey, red-white! D'you have a spare ofuda?"
> _
-
>"Yeah, what for? Does Yoshika need a replacement?"
-
>"Yeah, what for? Does Yoshika need a replacement?"
> "Yeah!"
> _
-
>"Just give her some last rites and bury her like she should have been, geez."
-
>How simple is the process of replacing the ofuda on a jiang shi? If it's anything more complex than 'remove old, insert new' it's probably a good idea to go down there and do it ourselves.
>...Actually, CAN we do it ourselves? I'm assuming the whole Jiang-Shi thing is a Taoist ritual, and well outside of our experience. And does helping to re-revive the dead go against our shrine-maiden duties?
-
?Taoist
?the person with a yin-yang on her chest
>Speaking of which, we might want to get that swemsuit before we go underground.
>Also speaking of which, how much do we know about Taoism, given our yinyangness?
-
>"Just give her some last rites and bury her like she should have been, geez."
> Mokou makes a face like she's stepped in something gross. "I'm gonna be doing enough of that anyway."
>How simple is the process of replacing the ofuda on a jiang shi? If it's anything more complex than 'remove old, insert new' it's probably a good idea to go down there and do it ourselves.
>...Actually, CAN we do it ourselves? I'm assuming the whole Jiang-Shi thing is a Taoist ritual, and well outside of our experience. And does helping to re-revive the dead go against our shrine-maiden duties?
> You've seen Yoshika's ofuda before, when it was whole, and there were some pretty complicated runes written on there. That's outside your field of knowledge, unfortunately, and most likely the work of necromancy.
> You've never read anything explicitly stating that it's forbidden to revive the dead, but from your experience, leaving them unsupervised is generally a bad idea.
?Taoist
?the person with a yin-yang on her chest
>Speaking of which, we might want to get that swemsuit before we go underground.
>Also speaking of which, how much do we know about Taoism, given our yinyangness?
> Your ultimate weapon is a yin-yang orb. There's no point even trying to argue about that.
> You make a note to stop by Kourindou again and see how the swimsuit is coming along.
> You know the basics of Taoism. Enough to get a smile out of that Mononobe girl, at least.
> _
-
>"Uh...I don't think I know enough about necromancy to replace it properly. Should I look out for her master, though?"
-
>"Uh...I don't think I know enough about necromancy to replace it properly. Should I look out for her master, though?"
> Mokou nods.
> _
-
>"Got it. Good luck holding the fort out here."
>Add "Find Seiga" to our growing list of objectives.
>Drop in at Kourindou and collect the swimsuit before we check out the underground.
-
>Find the Taoists.
-
>Rather, let's carry on toward underground, and add Taoists to our list of things to keep an eye out for.
-
>"Got it. Good luck holding the fort out here."
>Add "Find Seiga" to our growing list of objectives.
>Drop in at Kourindou and collect the swimsuit before we check out the underground.
> Mokou gives you a thumbs up.
> Quest Added: Find Seiga
> You've discovered Yoshika floating around in the water missing a hat and an operational ofuda. Better get Seiga to go collect her.
> You leave the Palaquin behind and return to Kourindou. Tokiko is still at the counter, idle and reading a thick book. Your abrupt reappearance shocks Tokiko and she nearly drops her book, but she is mercifully saved from any interaction by Rinnosuke swooping out from the back of the shop with a colorfully-wrapped package in his hands.
> He gives you an exasperated sigh as well as the package. "You're lucky you didn't ask for something that used a lot of fabric. I wouldn't have had it finished yet otherwise."
> Obtained: x1 swimsuit
>Find the Taoists.
>Rather, let's carry on toward underground, and add Taoists to our list of things to keep an eye out for.
> You can't just find the Taoists. After defeating Toyosatomimi no Miko in battle, she and her crew all but abandoned their home under the Myouren Temple and relocated to a yet-unknown location. The could appear literally anywhere, or they could have retreated from Gensokyo for this incident. Kaku Seiga, though part of the Taoist group, moves independently of them for the most part and is even harder to track. At least the others would show up in the Human Village on a semi-regular basis, but perhaps Seiga's actions are a justified in that hermits in general have to worry about encroaching shinigami.
> With that in mind, you leave Kourindou and fly off towards the Underground. You know of two entrances you could use: the one behind the shrine or the one behind the waterfall on Youkai Mountain.
> _
-
>Get changed into the swimsuit!
>Putting my vote in for the waterfall entrance. We'll see the kappa there, and if the flooding is bad enough that we can't continue they're likely to have a countermeasure.
EDIT: Also, if the shrine entrance worked, we probably would have seen some youkai coming out in that direction after the downpour, so.
-
>Get changed into the swimsuit!
>Putting my vote in for the waterfall entrance. We'll see the kappa there, and if the flooding is bad enough that we can't continue they're likely to have a countermeasure.
> Equipped: Swimsuit (http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/swimsuitreimu_zps3655db31.png)
> You consider using the waterfall entrance due to the high concentration of kappa that live around those parts.
> _
-
>Waitasec. Did we pay for that?
-
>Waitasec. Did we pay for that?
> ....Oops.
> _
-
>Oh well, maybe later!
>Let's head toward the Waterfall.
>Keep an eye out for interesting things, or things demanding our attention along the way.
-
>Oh well, maybe later!
>Let's head toward the Waterfall.
>Keep an eye out for interesting things, or things demanding our attention along the way.
> Rinnosuke can put it on your tab.
> You take off towards Youkai Mountain. As you fly, you catch sight of fish swimming in the water bubbles that float overhead. Fish with wing-like fins leap out of the water below, above the submerged forest. You once pass a sunken castle, most likely long-abandoned and left to the mercy of the waves. Before you even reach the base of the mountain, you start seeing kappa mixed in with the fish, and after you pass the forest at the base, the rest of the mountain is free from water. The river that the waterfall is part of flows down the mountain and meets with Gensokyo's new ocean halfway. The trees here are lush and green from the rain, hiding the Genbu Ravine from your line of visibility. However, the kappa make no attempt to hide themselves or their apparent joy at this incident, as many are seen swimming down river. The waterfall is distant but getting closer. Beyond that, you just barely see the wall that conceals the Tengu Village, as well as the roof of what looks like a shrine. If there are any tengu out, they're probably mixed in with the kappa so you can't see them.
> As you get closer to the waterfall, you notice that kappa have gathered there too.
> _
-
>Approach waterfall and kappa.
-
>Was that castle a familiar sight, or something we'd never seen before?
-
>Approach waterfall and kappa.
> You make your way towards the waterfall. The kappa seem to be enjoying themselves too much to be seriously bothered by your presence, but a few heads do turn.
>Was that castle a familiar sight, or something we'd never seen before?
> It was familiar and nostalgic. You think you solved an incident there long ago, but it doesn't matter anymore.
> _
-
>Do we recognize anyone among them?
-
>Do we recognize anyone among them?
> No, you don't see anyone here that you know.
> _
-
>Examine state of waterfall entrance.
>Anyone around here look like they might be willing to talk/trade, or are they busy screwing around?
>Actually, while we're at it, mark down Kanako as a potential culprit. She does have power over rain, after all.
-
>Examine state of waterfall entrance.
>Anyone around here look like they might be willing to talk/trade, or are they busy screwing around?
>Actually, while we're at it, mark down Kanako as a potential culprit. She does have power over rain, after all.
> You walk behind the waterfall and squint into the darkness. It's completely dry here, but farther into the cavern you hear the sound of flowing water.
> Kappa only do their business in and around their village. This is more like a swimming pool for them. On the other hand, you're sure there's at least one kappa sociable enough to strike up a conversation with you.
> Being on Youkai Mountain reminds you of Kanako, and you have to wonder if she's responsible for this. Why, though, you can't think of a reason.
> _
-
>She has a method, which is more than we can attribute to most potential suspects.
>Find a social looking kappa and ask her if she knows how the Underground is doing.
>Are any of these kappa wearing anything unusual? Something that lets them move faster/stay underwater longer?
-
>She has a method, which is more than we can attribute to most potential suspects.
>Find a social looking kappa and ask her if she knows how the Underground is doing.
>Are any of these kappa wearing anything unusual? Something that lets them move faster/stay underwater longer?
> You figure Kanako's abilities are reason enough to suspect her.
> You approach a kappa who is retrieving a plastic ball from some bushes, and ask her about the state of the Underground.
> "Um...?" She looks at you quizzically. "Hrm...Isn't that where the Oni live? No one goes down there, ma'am."
> "Umiko! What are you doing?" a kappa calls from the riverbank.
> "I'll be right there!" the kappa you're talking to calls back. She turns back to you. "Sorry! I gotta go."
> As she runs off, you take note of what she and the other kappa in the area are wearing. Some are fully-clothes, and others are wearing bathing suits, or are lightly dressed like Mokou was. They don't seem to have any special equipment for swimming.
> _
-
>Guess we'd better go see for ourselves, then!
>Travel through the entrance to the underground and see how far we can get before it's too wet to continue.
-
>Guess we'd better go see for ourselves, then!
>Travel through the entrance to the underground and see how far we can get before it's too wet to continue.
> You figure the kappa won't be much help at the moment, so you go on ahead into the tunnel.
> So far, so good. Even as the kappas' voices fade out and you start to have trouble seeing ahead of you, you haven't encountered any water yet.
> Still, you can hear it, echoing in the walls of the cavern. As the tunnel twists and turns you start to suspect that you'll actually be able to make it underground. If you can see where you're going, that is.
> _
-
>We really should have bought that lantern.
>Do we have any sort of light charms? Something we can cast with an ofuda, maybe?
-
>We really should have bought that lantern.
>Do we have any sort of light charms? Something we can cast with an ofuda, maybe?
> You regret not buying the lantern.
> You could use your danmaku to light up the cavern, if you wanted to.
> _
-
>Fire something small and slow, then. Don't wanna hit anybody trying to get out.
-
>Fire something small and slow, then. Don't wanna hit anybody trying to get out.
> You fire a flurry of basic danmaku. The bullets float ahead and light up the tunnel before fizzling out. It's...eerily empty in here. And you still haven't emerged into the main underground, either. It's amazing how you can just walk into the underground like this without any resistance.
> _
-
>Continue down into the underground proper.
-
>Continue down into the underground proper.
> You keep going, and going, and going...
> After what feels like forever, when your feet have grown tired, the tunnel starts to slope downwards, a tell-tale sign that you must be getting close. As you walk down, the sound of rushing water grows louder than ever. You become aware of the increasing amount of water dripping down from the ceiling, and the sudden chill you feel from stepping on damp stone. Droplets coalesce into puddles that are frigid and unforgiving compared to the pleasantly cool water from the surface.
> You see a light at the end of the tunnel. You're almost there.
> _
-
>Head towaaaaaard the liiiiiiiiight.
-
Man why couldn't you guys tried to fake a Yoshifuda? Like, just a smiley face or something? :P
-
>Head towaaaaaard the liiiiiiiiight.
> You rush towards the light. The water grows deeper until it's up to your calves, and goosebumps break out on your skin.
> You've quickly adjusted to the gloom of the underground, and when you finally break free from the tunnel and see the source of the sound of water.
> From holes in the ceiling high, high above you, water is streaming down like ribbons of rain. The holes are far apart, but already the ground is becoming like a shallow lake. In the middle of all that water you spot a lone building that you recognize as the Silent Shrine. In the east, the lanterns of the Ancient City glow just as brightly as you remember them, glowing with an almost ghostly quality in the darkness. The shadows they cast upon the Palace of the Earth Spirits is impressive. Or it would be, if you weren't focused on all the water. The view you do not have, however, is that of the Bridge you have crossed time and time again during your visits to the Underground.
> There must be a lot of earth separating the surface from the underground, but it's pretty obvious that this is where the water is draining to.
> _
-
>The Silent Shrine,where we fought Konngara?
-
> What do we know about Konngara?
-
>The Silent Shrine,where we fought Konngara?
> What do we know about Konngara?
> You spontaneously recall memories associated with the Silent Shrine. Fighting her was actually part of one of the first incidents you ever solved, and it's not exactly something you want to repeat. Youkai like her are the reason there are spell cards. That was the only time she ever started an incident, though. She's actually pretty nice to you.
> What little you know about her is that she's one of the Devas, and is unusually quiet for an oni. Sanae has mentioned her before in conversation, which leads you to believe they know each other somehow.
> _
-
> If it's on the way to the palace we could stop there. Otherwise, let's keep heading Satori-wards.
-
> If it's on the way to the palace we could stop there. Otherwise, let's keep heading Satori-wards.
> They're in completely different directions. You'll visit Satori's place first.
> You walk on through the water, and as it rises to your waist you find yourself casually swimming towards the Ancient City. You eventually get somewhat used to the temperature, although you notice your fingernails are turning purple.
> When you reach the outskirts of the city, you see oni and other subterranean youkai rushing through the streets in all directions in a state of absolute chaos. Some are moving valuables to higher ground (ie, the roofs) while others are working to stabilize buildings that look on the verge of collapse. Kasha in various states of excitement and disgruntlement push tarp-covered carts between the crowds. People are riding on each others shoulders and making makeshift rafts out of driftwood to ride down the streets in. Sandbags are being thrown around. What does it even look like further in the city.
> _
-
>What are the light sources in here?
-
> Crazy. It looks just as bad down here as it does up there. Let's hurry to the palace.
-
>Take to the air if there is room to do so. No need to slow ourselves swimming.
-
>What are the light sources in here?
> Lanterns strung up on the rooftops, lights from the upper floors of houses that still have electricity, orbs of danmaku to compensate for what isn't working, and sheer willpower.
> Crazy. It looks just as bad down here as it does up there. Let's hurry to the palace.
>Take to the air if there is room to do so. No need to slow ourselves swimming.
> It looks awful down here, and it looks like they haven't even had the luxury of settling down yet.
> You take to the air to avoid the commotion, and fly quickly to the palace. You'd rather not swim through that mess.
> Because the Palace of the Earth Spirits is somewhat apart from the Ancient City, it's less chaotic here, but just barely. Satori's pets are busy building a wall of sandbags around the gates to prevent any water from getting into the front yard. Hell crows are flying in clusters behind the house, emitting loud caws of distress. As you near the house, a few cats follow you and bat playfully at your ankles. The doors of the palace are wide open, and you can hear voices and footsteps echoing inside.
> _
-
>Flying cats???
>Enter, and announce self WITHOUT danmaku.
-
>"Hey, Satori! The cavalry's arrived!"
-
>Flying cats???
>Enter, and announce self WITHOUT danmaku.
> They're trying, not flying.
> You enter the Palace through the front door like a normal person.
>"Hey, Satori! The cavalry's arrived!"
> You call out for Satori, which gives away your position. You hear rapid footsteps, and then Orin comes barreling out from around the corner with her arms full of rabbits. She looks harried, but still manages to keep a cheery smile as she runs over to greet you.
> "I'm comin', sis!" She comes to a halt, wheezing. "Huff, gasp...Hey, aren'tcha cold in that, sis?"
> _
-
>"The sleeves keep me warm."
>Are these rabbits part of Satori's normal pet entourage, or are they new?
>"I came to check up on things. How's Satori?"
-
>"The sleeves keep me warm."
>Are these rabbits part of Satori's normal pet entourage, or are they new?
>"I came to check up on things. How's Satori?"
> "...But that's a swimsuit, no matter how ya look at it," Orin says.
> You've seen rabbits around the palace before. This is normal.
> "Lady Satori's doin' great! Er..." Orin gives you a nervous smile. "She's out back right now, if yer looking for her."
> _
-
>"S'all about mind over matter. Meditation does wonders."
>"Thanks. Here's hoping this incident hasn't given you too much work to do."
>Head around back. Prepare to perform a PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE DISPLAY OF AFFECTION.
-
>"S'all about mind over matter. Meditation does wonders."
>"Thanks. Here's hoping this incident hasn't given you too much work to do."
>Head around back. Prepare to perform a PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE DISPLAY OF AFFECTION.
> You steel yourself for performing stone-cold displays of unbridled affection.
> "Ahaha," Orin giggles. "We're all super busy 'ere no matter what."
> You leave Orin and the rabbits and cross through the palace. The place is as familiar--albeit a little eerie--as it always is: glass stained windows even when they don't lead outside, a stray animal here and there, and the large empty room where tea is served. That, as well as more windows, are the only thing standing between you and the gardens where Satori presumably is. You exit through the back door like a normal person and find yourself surrounded by rose bushes and other kinds of flowers and greenery. The vines here creep along even the stone pathway.
> In the distance is where you'd see the glow from the Hell of Blazing Fires, but now water has cut off the light. Furthermore, you hear the roar of water coming from the direction of the nuclear reactor. It's cold and dark back here.
> The water is indeed loud, but the prevailing sound is that of distressed wailing coming from the general direction of the reactor.
> _
-
>Oh dear.
>Follow the wailing sound.
-
>Oh dear.
>Follow the wailing sound.
> Uh-oh...
> You follow the wailing sound to the path leading to the reactor. A girl with long, black hair and matching wings sits crumpled on the ground, crying her eyes out. Her clothes are plastered to her skin, her green ribbon deflated pathetically. This is the kind of tantrum that happens when a crucial danmaku battle is lost. Or perhaps when a plot for world domination has been foiled.
> "L-lady Satoriiiii...snake ladyyy..." she gulps before bursting into a fresh round of tears. "Oriiiiiin...!"
> _
-
>Use the PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE HUG we were saving up on Okuu.
>"Cool down, little birdie. Deep breaths."
-
>Use the PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE HUG we were saving up on Okuu.
>"Cool down, little birdie. Deep breaths."
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/reikuuhug_zps6cf81e9e.png)
> You attempt to calm Okuu down.
> The mere act of hugging the hell raven startles her enough to stop screaming, and after a moment's hesitation, she clings to you and continues to blubber.
> _
-
>"It's okay. It's okay. Everything's gonna be alright."
>Look around for any sign of Satori. If we can't see her, ask Okuu about it when she's calmed down a bit.
-
>"It's okay. It's okay. Everything's gonna be alright."
>Look around for any sign of Satori. If we can't see her, ask Okuu about it when she's calmed down a bit.
> Okuu tries to cry harder, but your spontaneous act of kindness only allows her a hiccup.
> You look around for Satori. You don't see her at the moment.
> _
-
>"Okuu, I need to talk to your master. Where is she?"
-
>"Okuu, I need to talk to your master. Where is she?"
> Okuu sniffles and points behind her.
> "That way...I think..."
> _
-
>Give her a pat on the head.
>"Thanks. Wanna go see her together?"
>Take Okuu by the hand and walk Satori-wards.
-
>"You can tell me what happened on the way, okay?"
>How do the pets seem to take our relationship with Satori?
-
>Give her a pat on the head.
>"Thanks. Wanna go see her together?"
>Take Okuu by the hand and walk Satori-wards.
> Okuu makes a little "unyuu" sound and nods.
> "Uh-huh."
> You and Okuu walk hand-in-hand down the path.
>"You can tell me what happened on the way, okay?"
>How do the pets seem to take our relationship with Satori?
> "I was in the reactor, and then all this water started gushing out from everywhere." Okuu's voice warbles. "It was r-really dark and I couldn't see, but then the emergency lights t-turned on so I could escape."
> The palace's animals have expressed mixed reactions to your presence. On the whole, though, they seem to have warmed up to you. At the very least, your association with Satori has earned you the trust--or at least respect--of Orin and Okuu.
> As the two of you walk, you quickly realize that this is the shortcut to the reactor. There are bushes on either side of the two of you, so you can't see too far ahead, but after a short walk you find yourselves ankle-deep in water.
> You're about to round the bend that will take you out of the garden and onto the path leading to the reactor itself, when you hear a calm-sounding voice.
> "Okuuu, where did you...hm?"
> _
-
>PREPARE FOR SATORIHUG.
-
>PREPARE FOR SATORIHUG.
> You mentally prepare the danmaku of love and affection is going to shower down upon this satori when you see her.
> You hear a faint giggle.
> _
-
>Engage!
If this turns out to be Koishi things are going to be immensely awkward
-
If it's Koishi, we turn it into a suplex and give her guff for letting her guard down.
-
>Engage!
> You and Okuu round the corner and see none other than Komeiji Satori with a towel draped over her arm and a worried expression on her face. Behind her, you catch a glimpse of water flowing from the tunnel leading to the reactor.
> When she sees the both of you, her face relaxes into a small smile, and she sighs with relief. Okuu sniffles, looking ready to start crying again.
> "Thank goodne--"
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/yourwife_zpsdb31525d.png)
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/WHUMP_zps762dbedb.png)
> You promptly engage.
> _
-
>"I was so worried about you!"
-
>"I was so worried about you!"
> Satori is surprised by the sudden hug, but returns it in earnest. The tendrils connecting to her third eye wrap around you like extra arms.
> "As was I....There's so much water coming from the ceiling, Reimu." She gives you a squeeze.
> _
-
>"How are things here, then?"
>Let her go, but let's keep a handhold.
-
>"How are things here, then?"
>Let her go, but let's keep a handhold.
> You separate from your hug, but hold her hands in yours.
> Satori sighs. "It's terrible."
> Her third eye stares up at you, and she is quiet as it takes in your thoughts.
> "I got a lot of information from Suika, but your mind has more images of damage to the surface. It seems so much calmer up there," she laments. Her brow furrows. "I wonder about that shard you and she picked up, though."
> _
-
>"Haven't got a clue."
>How's Utsuho holding up?
-
>"Haven't got a clue."
>How's Utsuho holding up?
> "It's just that..." Satori trails off. You both look back at Utsuho, who has crouched back onto the ground, staring ahead at the reactor entrance with the most forlorn eyes you have ever seen on her. Satori lets go of you to go drape the towel over her shoulders.
> "Okuu, we'll do something about it. It's okay...I know, I know..."
> Satori turns back to you. "I hate to do this to you, with things as they are right now, but could you help us out? We're going to need to plug up the entrance to the reactor."
> _
-
> Pretend to be reluctant. "Mm, I guess... What's going on with that reactor thing?"
-
> Pretend to be reluctant. "Mm, I guess... What's going on with that reactor thing?"
> Satori frowns, more out of focus than any real anger. "Water's pouring in there from the emergency escape that leads to the surface. If we could stop even just a little bit from getting underground..."
> _
-
>"Well, okay, sure."
>Do we know where it leads to outside? If not, inquire about that.
-
>"Well, okay, sure."
>Do we know where it leads to outside? If not, inquire about that.
> "Thank you..."
> "Mmm." Satori glances upwards, as if she's expecting the answer to appear above her head. "I'm only going off of Okuu's memories. She remembers being told the exit leads out, but nothing more."
> "I can remember more," Okuu protests. "I just...gotta think about it! I can remember where it leads."
> _
-
> "Let me guess, you were thinking about something else rather than paying attention to where you were."
> What a bird brain. She wouldn't be Okuu otherwise, but still.
-
> "Let me guess, you were thinking about something else rather than paying attention to where you were."
> What a bird brain. She wouldn't be Okuu otherwise, but still.
> Okuu pouts. "Mmrgh...I'll definitely remember it."
> That's Okuu for you. It's a good thing there are people looking out for her.
> _
-
> "Okay, so what do we need to do to seal it? I'm guessing a bunch of ofuda won't help."
-
> "Okay, so what do we need to do to seal it? I'm guessing a bunch of ofuda won't help."
> Satori smiles a little. "Well, that would be like frosting on the cake. We'd need something stronger. Say...boulders."
> _
-
> Sounds like a Suika job. Wonder where she is...
> Oh, and speaking of ofuda, wonder if Seiga's lurking around somewhere.
-
> Sounds like a Suika job. Wonder where she is...
> Oh, and speaking of ofuda, wonder if Seiga's lurking around somewhere.
> "She should be upstairs," Satori says.
> A dark isolated place like this seems like the perfect haunt for a wicked hermit. Satori furrows her brow.
> _
-
> "Sorry, I meant underground, not here. Your palace is, um, nice." But kind of damp and drafty.
> "I'll just go grab that oni, then, and plug up that leak of yours."
-
> "Sorry, I meant underground, not here. Your palace is, um, nice." But kind of damp and drafty.
> "I'll just go grab that oni, then, and plug up that leak of yours."
> "Ehe. Okay, then." Satori offers a hand to Okuu. "I'll be taking this one inside. Thank you again."
> Okuu allows Satori to help her off the ground, and draws the towel around her like a blanket.
> _
-
>"Keep as dry as you can, both of you!"
>At least until we an get her into a swimsui-stupid thoughts!
>Head out of the Palace and assess things in the city, see if we can find a locus of chaos where Suika might be.
-
> Man, Satori's going to owe us, like, a dozen dates for plugging up her leaky roof. Though this probably counts as "incident solving"....
-
>"Keep as dry as you can, both of you!"
>At least until we an get her into a swimsui-stupid thoughts!
>Head out of the Palace and assess things in the city, see if we can find a locus of chaos where Suika might be.
> "We'll try," Satori says as she leads Okuu away.
> You desperately hope Satori didn't just hear what you were thinking. She probably did.
> You leave the Palace through the front and observe the city. Everywhere looks like chaos right now, although Satori did say Suika was upstairs...
> The most chaotic-looking part of the entire place seems to be a particularly large building on the other side of the city, based on a quick observation.
> Man, Satori's going to owe us, like, a dozen dates for plugging up her leaky roof. Though this probably counts as "incident solving"....
> Incident or not, she still owes you for this. It's not too bad to get rewards for incident-solving, though...
> _
-
>Is this the reactor that we made the palladium alloy for?
-
>Is this the reactor that we made the palladium alloy for?
> Well, there aren't any other reactors in Gensokyo to make palladium alloy for, so yes.
> _
-
It may be an idea to evacuate the city, at least until we can ensure that it won't become underwater. We know of at least one escape route as well.
-
>Do we know what this other large building is?
>Why isn't the Moriya shrine doing anything? They're in charge of the reactor, aren't they?
>Head back into the palace and go upstairs. Follow the stench of alcohol.
EDIT:
It may be an idea to evacuate the city, at least until we can ensure that it won't become underwater. We know of at least one escape route as well.
Evacuation's a neat idea and all, but how are we going to get a city of panicking oni to listen to us?
-
We're Hakurei Reimu, if they won't save themselves then we'll make them do so.
-
A barrage of danmaku?
Shouting promises of free beer?
Granting them the glorious sight of the swimsuit clad red-white?
-
>Do we know what this other large building is?
>Why isn't the Moriya shrine doing anything? They're in charge of the reactor, aren't they?
>Head back into the palace and go upstairs. Follow the stench of alcohol.
> No. There are a lot of things you know about the underground, but the geography of the Ancient City is not one of them.
> A lot of things go through your mind before you retreat into the Palace: namely, where are the people from Moriya? You can't believe you haven't seen them yet.
> Upstairs you are assaulted with the smell of a lot of animals gathered in one place, and a peak through one of the doors reveals a room full of cats. They must be here to escape the water below, despite the fact that it hasn't even gotten into the house yet...
> It's either hilarious or sad that you really do end up smelling alcohol before you run into the oni herself: when you encounter Suika, she's in the dovecote throwing birdseed around with one hand and holding a rabbit with the other.
> _
-
I think the oni are more interested in partying down til the end, either way. A mere total flood wouldn't stop them, they'll just invent sippy cups.
>"There you are! What's the situation here, besides the obvious?"
Edit: One wonders if Suika can gather up an inconvenient flood?
-
>"There you are! What's the situation here, besides the obvious?"
> Suika whips around to face you, accidentally throwing a handful of bird feed at you in the process.
> "Whoops. Well, Satori wanted her pets out of the way. I'm almost done feeding them."
> She shows you the rabbit. Its eyes are full of fear. "This rabbit belongs to Koishi-chan. Her pets are up here, too. She's gone incognito and hasn't been looking after them."
> "...Buuut, that seems kind of an irrelevant thing to ask about. How're things up top?"
> _
-
>"The village is a lake. Akyu's house is probably a loss. Good number of missing people, and I found Seiga's pet corpse stuck in a tree. There's a bunch of weird new fish, too. Do the other devas have things in line the city?"
-
>Idea I'm pondering the viability of - find an open clearing in the underground, and have Suika smash a hole in it to drain the water. If nothing else it'll buy us some time.
>Is Koishi going incognito a common instance?
>"You know the city, right? What's that other big building everyone's gathering around?"
-
In order to stop the drainage, we need to plug up all the holes. In order for people to get in and out, we'll need to build a well-like structure.
-
>"The village is a lake. Akyu's house is probably a loss. Good number of missing people, and I found Seiga's pet corpse stuck in a tree. There's a bunch of weird new fish, too. Do the other devas have things in line the city?"
> "Akyuu won't be happy to hear that," Suika says. "We got new fish down here, too. Mostly by the bridge. I know it looks bad and it is, but it's a controlled chaos."
>Idea I'm pondering the viability of - find an open clearing in the underground, and have Suika smash a hole in it to drain the water. If nothing else it'll buy us some time.
>Is Koishi going incognito a common instance?
>"You know the city, right? What's that other big building everyone's gathering around?"
> You start considering ways to keep the underground from flooding, and the first thing you think of is a giant drain.
> Yes. She hardly shows herself around you in the first place.
> "Oh, that's the hospital. Pretty much every tsuchigumo in the Former Hell is there right now," Suika explains. "Hey, d'you think these new fish are edible?"
> _
-
>"What kind of fish isn't edible?"
-
>"What kind of fish isn't edible?"
> Suika grins. "Poisonous ones, duh."
> _
-
>"So, no one down here has any idea why it's flooded, right? Anything suspicious been going on?"
-
>"So, no one down here has any idea why it's flooded, right? Anything suspicious been going on?"
> Suika shakes her head. "Nope. What clues do we have right now?"
> _
-
>"About the same when we left, really. Oh, any of those glowy things we found in the pond around here?"
-
>"About the same when we left, really. Oh, any of those glowy things we found in the pond around here?"
> "Mmgh..." Suika looks a little frustrated, and lightly smacks her face with both hands a few times to regain her composure. "I haven't seen any more. Did you find anything out about them?"
> _
-
>"Some kind of shell fragment, Rinnosuke said. I think they're used for sealing things?"
-
>"Why are all the tsuchigumo in hospital? When I came down here, their tunnels were pretty much water-free."
>"Oh, by the way, we need your help blocking off the emergency escape on the reactor. Satori figures that at least stopping some of the water will help out."
-----
On a separate note, I think it's time to make a CLUE-STYLE ACCUSATION at the Moriya Shrine:
-Sanae has mysteriously fallen off the radar.
-No sign of them backing up their own interests in the underground, which is logically the FIRST thing they'd worry about if the rains had caught them by surprise.
-Their shrine and followers were more or less entirely unharmed by the rains - in fact the kappa are even celebrating the aftermath. Meanwhile the Myouren temple is busy picking up most of their followers and stuffing them in graves, so they have the most to gain politically.
-Also, the underground got totally screwed over, and the youkai of the mountain (the kappa and tengu) are terrified of the oni that live in the underground. 2 + 2 = ???
-Kanako is one of the few people in Gensokyo with the means, method and opportunity to create the rains. Keep in mind this storm happened after days of rainy weather that never came through - that might have been her charging up for a deliberate downpour like this.
Obviously we don't have any sort of solid evidence, but there's a lot of circumstantial stuff that points plenty of fingers in their direction. Might be an idea to check them out once the situation underground is a little more stable.
-
>"Some kind of shell fragment, Rinnosuke said. I think they're used for sealing things?"
> "...Huh." Suika looks perplexed. "Sealing things, huh...I--I mean, we know some people who know about that kinda stuff, don't we?"
> _>"Why are all the tsuchigumo in hospital? When I came down here, their tunnels were pretty much water-free."
>"Oh, by the way, we need your help blocking off the emergency escape on the reactor. Satori figures that at least stopping some of the water will help out."
> "Tsuchigumo are really good construction workers," Suika says with a tinge of pride.
> Suika perks up at the mention of the reactor. "Nice. I haven't done much heavy lifting yet, just this--"
> She looks down at her hands, which are mysteriously empty. "...rabbit?"
> _
-
>"If you mean Yukari, she seems to have decided now is a good time to take a nap-"
>"OH DAMMIT, SUIKA, YOU HAD ONE JOB."
>The rabbit. Where'd it go?
-
On a separate note, I think it's time to make a CLUE-STYLE ACCUSATION at the Moriya Shrine:
-Sanae has mysteriously fallen off the radar.
-No sign of them backing up their own interests in the underground, which is logically the FIRST thing they'd worry about if the rains had caught them by surprise.
-Their shrine and followers were more or less entirely unharmed by the rains - in fact the kappa are even celebrating the aftermath. Meanwhile the Myouren temple is busy picking up most of their followers and stuffing them in graves, so they have the most to gain politically.
-Also, the underground got totally screwed over, and the youkai of the mountain (the kappa and tengu) are terrified of the oni that live in the underground. 2 + 2 = ???
-Kanako is one of the few people in Gensokyo with the means, method and opportunity to create the rains. Keep in mind this storm happened after days of rainy weather that never came through - that might have been her charging up for a deliberate downpour like this.
Obviously we don't have any sort of solid evidence, but there's a lot of circumstantial stuff that points plenty of fingers in their direction. Might be an idea to check them out once the situation underground is a little more stable.
Yeah, the only problem with this is that you assume the end results are in line with the intentions behind causing the incident. Although ... this is something Reimu would assume as well.
-
>"If you mean Yukari, she seems to have decided now is a good time to take a nap-"
>"OH DAMMIT, SUIKA, YOU HAD ONE JOB."
>The rabbit. Where'd it go?
> "Not just Yukari, I mean--"
> Suika looks at you, then at her hands in utter bewilderment.
> "Hell if I know where it disappeared to all of the sudden!"
> The rabbit is nowhere in sight. There's only one door leading in and out of the dovecote. You hear footsteps moving rapidly away from it.
> _
-
Yeah, the only problem with this is that you assume the end results are in line with the intentions behind causing the incident. Although ... this is something Reimu would assume as well.
common sense works in gensokyo right
>Chase the bunny before it leads a rabbit-rebellion that will bring this palace to its knees.
-
I can see going gangbusters on Kanako.
>Do we hang around here enough to know what different people's footsteps sound like? If so, can we ID those?
-
>Chase the bunny before it leads a rabbit-rebellion that will bring this palace to its knees.
> You and Suika burst out of the dovecote and down the hall in pursuit of the rabbit. You have enough problems already!
>Do we hang around here enough to know what different people's footsteps sound like? If so, can we ID those?
> Not really. There are residents like Satori, who leave very soft footsteps or none at all, and then there's the loud stomping of Okuu when she's wearing her concrete shoe, but no one else has distinctive enough footsteps for you to recognize them from a distance.
> These footsteps in particular make a taptaptaptaptap noise and sound close together.
> _
-
> Follow
that pigeon those footsteps!
-
> Follow that pigeon those footsteps!
> You keep running. Suika, true to her oni nature, takes great leaps and bounds and reaches the first corner before you can. She does a somersault across the checkered floor and lands in a playful fighting stance.
> "It's about time you--huh?" As you catch up, you see her blinking in confusion at an empty hallway in front of her. Yet the footsteps persist. Triumphant giggling echoes off the walls, followed by a sneeze.
> _
-
>"Koishi, I know you're out there somewhere."
>Ponder whether the young satori may have allergies.
-
>"Koishi, I know you're out there somewhere."
>Ponder whether the young satori may have allergies.
> You hear a screeching sound as the footsteps skid to a halt, but the giggling continues for a little longer.
> That would certainly be a problem, if this one had allergies. Satori keeps mostly furred pets.
> "Well I guess this makes us the 'oni'." Suika smirks. "I'm kinda busy right now, so I'm gonna skip counting to 10 and find you right away."
> And then she starts to dissolve into fine mist. "Reimu, get ready to grab her, ok?"
> _
-
Koishi has the power to cloud men's minds to walk unseen, and the ability to see what evil lurks in their hearts.
-
Koishi has the power to cloud men's minds to walk unseen, and the ability to see what evil lurks in their hearts.
But does she know why kids love cinnamon toast crunch!?
> Quickly retrieve girlfriend's sister from thin air.
-
> Quickly retrieve girlfriend's sister from thin air.
> You'd like to do that, but Suika hasn't revealed her yet. She's currently in mist form, spreading herself thin over the entire hallway.
> _
-
>Keep wary for bunnies and/or bunny thieves.
-
>Keep wary for bunnies and/or bunny thieves.
> The whole hallway is now foggy. You have to admit, Suika works fast.
> You keep your eyes peeled and catch a glimpse of shadowy figure crouched against the east wall.
> _
-
>Head toward the East Wall with the flying tackles!
-
>Head toward the East Wall with the flying tackles!
> The mysterious figure...or rather...Komeiji Koishi, is completely unprepared for you. She tries to jump out of the way, but you slam into her and knock her over. The two of you go sliding across the floor. The rabbit, as well as a book she was carrying, go flying out of her arms.
> Suika turns back to her humanoid form and picks up the rabbit with more daintiness than you thought she was capable of.
> "I got you!" As an afterthought, the little oni picks up the book. "And you."
> _
-
>Are we a good wrestleman? Let's pin Koishi if we think we can!
-
>Are we a good wrestleman? Let's pin Koishi if we think we can!
> You can hold your own in hand-to-hand combat if it comes to it. You pin Koishi to the ground before she can worm away from you. It's not too hard; she's still disoriented from when you tackled her.
> Koishi stares up at you and laughs a light, airy giggle. "Waaaahhh...oniiiii...."
> _
-
>"Koishi you're drunk, go home!"
-
>"Koishi you're drunk, go home!"
> "But I am hooome!" Koishi protests.
> _
-
>Keep that pin.
>"I wanna hear it! Reimu is the best! C'mon!"
-
>Keep that pin.
>"I wanna hear it! Reimu is the best! C'mon!"
> Koishi comes to her senses enough to start squirming.
> "Make meee!"
> _
-
>Apply mild pressure to the pin. Not enough to inflict real pain, but enough to be uncomfortable.
>"Let's hear it in your best singing voice!"
-
>Apply mild pressure to the pin. Not enough to inflict real pain, but enough to be uncomfortable.
>"Let's hear it in your best singing voice!"
> Koishi squeaks and keeps trying to wriggle away.
> "Urghh...Reiiimu...is......"
> She's still putting up a hell of a fight, but her pride is losing out.
> _
-
>A tad more pressure
>"I said best singing voice!"
-
>A tad more pressure
>"I said best singing voice!"
> Koishi grits her teeth.
> "ReiIIImu...is...."
> "...THE BEST! ♫" And then she headbutts you.
> _
-
>Well that's probably enough to break a pin.
>With that in mind, slip away before we can be reversed, and get back to our feet.
-
>Have we been headbut by Keine before, and if so how does this compare?
-
Sweet jesus what have you guys been up to while I was asleep
>Wonder why Koishi didn't headbutt us before admitting defeat.
>Look over at the book Suika's picked up.
-
>Well that's probably enough to break a pin.
>With that in mind, slip away before we can be reversed, and get back to our feet.
> Well, she did her best.
> You finally relinquish control of Koishi and stand up. You're now aware of Suika laughing in the background.
> Koishi sits there for a moment, sneezes, and then a back flip off the ground and landing a good five feet away from you.
>Have we been headbut by Keine before, and if so how does this compare?
> You have. This is nothing compared to the hell hath by an angry were-hakutaku.
>Wonder why Koishi didn't headbutt us before admitting defeat.
>Look over at the book Suika's picked up.
> You have to wonder why Koishi didn't take her chances beforehand. Who knows what she was thinking...if she was thinking at all.
> You examine the book Suika is holding. It's wrapped in plastic, with an underwater photo of lots of fish on the cover. The title reads 'Creatures of the Deep'.
> _
-
>Massage where we got headbutt.
>"Where'd you get that book from?"
-
>Massage where we got headbutt.
>"Where'd you get that book from?"
> You rub your forehead. You'll survive.
> "My room," says Koishi, swaying from side to side. "Don't take the bookmarks ooout."
> _
-
>"Where'd it come from before it was in your room?"
>"Suika, you wanna go on ahead? I want to take a look through this thing."
>Take the book from Suika if she's willing, and skim through it. Try to find some sign of those big fish we saw swimming around the human village earlier.
-
>"Where'd it come from before it was in your room?"
>"Suika, you wanna go on ahead? I want to take a look through this thing."
>Take the book from Suika if she's willing, and skim through it. Try to find some sign of those big fish we saw swimming around the human village earlier.
> "Uhhh...." Koishi picks at her lip.
> "Yeah, I should probably get going," Suika says. She hands the book to you and the rabbit to Koishi, and skips off down the hall.
> You flip through the admittedly short book. There are pictures of fantastic looking creatures that dwell in impossibly-colorful environments. Most are small fish, but there are some big ones that catch your eye. Particularly a page with different species of a fish called "whale". That one's bookmarked. The other two bookmarked pages are of a sleek silver fish called a "dolphin" and another one called a "shark". These last two look somewhat familiar.
> As you're turning the pages, something falls onto the floor with a clink.
> _
-
>
Consider riding a dolphin in the future if we get the chance.
>Look down to see what dropped.
-
>Was there an entry for oarfish in that book that we noted?
-
>Consider riding a dolphin in the future if we get the chance.
>Look down to see what dropped.
> Onwards trusty steed!
> You look down, but...whatever's there is gone. Koishi is stepping back, holding a glowing piece of glass between her fingers.
> "Huh? What's thiiis?"
>Was there an entry for oarfish in that book that we noted?
> If there was, you must have missed it. You were really just skimming, after all.
> _
-
>"Koishi, that's a very important thing. Can I have it, please?"
>If she refuses, offer to trade her one of our marbles for the shiny glass.
-
>"Koishi, that's a very important thing. Can I have it, please?"
>If she refuses, offer to trade her one of our marbles for the shiny glass.
> "Why is it importaaant?" Koishi tilts her head.
> You offer Koishi one of the marbles from the jar. She stares at them with a vacant smile.
> "Are the marbles as important?" she asks.
> _
-
>"Look, do I have to go find Satori and tell her that her little sister is keeping me from dealing with this flood that's frightening all her pets? Do you really want to make her sad?"
-
>"These marbles used to belong to the most powerful king in the outside world. When they were stolen, he went mad. That's why when someone goes crazy we say they've lost their marbles."
>Salesman smile. "Important enough?"
-
>"Look, do I have to go find Satori and tell her that her little sister is keeping me from dealing with this flood that's frightening all her pets? Do you really want to make her sad?"
> Koishi pulls a frown and grumbles.
> "No...I'll give it to you if tell me what it doooes. What are you going to do with iiit?"
>"These marbles used to belong to the most powerful king in the outside world. When they were stolen, he went mad. That's why when someone goes crazy we say they've lost their marbles."
>Salesman smile. "Important enough?"
> Koishi's eyes brighten for an instant. "Cool. Is that really where the saying comes from?"
> _
-
>"Of course. A good shrine maiden never lies. And we're going to use that thing as part of a big jigsaw puzzle."
-
>"Of course. A good shrine maiden never lies. And we're going to use that thing as part of a big jigsaw puzzle."
> "How is that as important as a bunch of marbles that belonged to a kiiing?"
> _
-
>"Because it might be a key to this whole incident, alright. I'll tell you what. If it turns out it's not a big deal after all, I'll let you have it when I'm done."
-
>"Because it might be a key to this whole incident, alright. I'll tell you what. If it turns out it's not a big deal after all, I'll let you have it when I'm done."
> Koishi stares into space, but interrupts herself by coughing into her sleeve.
> "...Okay!" She holds out the shard, and looks down at it. Her smile fades.
> _
-
>"Thanks."
>Take the second shard and give her a marble as thanks.
>Compare the shard to the first, see if there's some way to put the two together.
-
>"Thanks."
>Take the second shard and give her a marble as thanks.
>Compare the shard to the first, see if there's some way to put the two together.
> Obtained: 2/8 shard
> 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.
> You hold the two shards up next to each other. They're both about the same size, but there don't seem to be any ridges that would connect them in any way. The glow is stronger now.
> _
-
>Better take the book. Might come in handy.
>Take another look through it while we go catch up with Suika.
-
>Better take the book. Might come in handy.
>Take another look through it while we go catch up with Suika.
> Obtained: Creatures of the Deep
> A book of fantastic underwater animals. Belongs to Komeiji Koishi.
> You read through it a little more thoroughly this time as you walk. There are entries for whales, sharks, dolphins, squids, sea turtles, something called a "coral reef", cuttlefish, jellyfish...what??...and a compilation of deep sea creatures, in that order. Each entry has a few pages that are mostly pictures and captions, with basic information about each animal. There's nothing about oarfish here.
> _
-
>Is there any clue as to where this book came from? And are there any other bookmarks besides the ones we noted earlier?
-
>Is there any clue as to where this book came from? And are there any other bookmarks besides the ones we noted earlier?
> There's a page at the very beginning of the book with the following words: "Published by Okazaki House ? 2010". And on the cover, underneath the title, "Miyamoto Sayane".
> _
-
>Okazaki? Damn, it's a book from the outside world. Does the other name mean anything to us?
>Go check up on Suika.
-
>Okazaki? Damn, it's a book from the outside world. Does the other name mean anything to us?
>Go check up on Suika.
> The name "Okazaki" rings a bell in the depths of your memory, and you swear you hear the laughter of some crazy teenage prodigy. Never again.
> The other name, however, is alien to you.
> You go downstairs and head back out into the courtyard. As you're making your way through the hedges and towards the reactor entrance, you immediately see Suika, who is now the size of Kourindou and holding a boulder in each hand.
> _
-
>"How's it looking?"
-
Also, idea for a future plan - these new fish aren't from Gensokyo, right? Then they probably know how they got there. Maybe we should take Satori to the surface so she can check whether the fish know anything. [Might wanna stop by kappa city if we need to get properly equipped for a trip like that, though, and I'm not sure whether this or grilling the Moriyas should take priority. Either way, probably a good idea to take Satori with us to act as our walking lie-detector and to make sure she doesn't get in any trouble.]
-
>"How's it looking?"
> Suika sets one of the boulders down and waves to you. "This water's givin' me a tough time. I might have to fill in the entire tunnel."
> _
-
>"How long is it going to buy us?"
>"Are there any unused tunnels or such we can use as drains?"
-
>"How long is it going to buy us?"
>"Are there any unused tunnels or such we can use as drains?"
> "Depends how strong I can make this thing," Suika says. "Sooner or later the reactor's gonna completely fill up, and that's a lotta water pressure."
> "Tunnels?" Suika shoves a few more boulders into the tunnel. "We've got some here and there, but...you might wanna ask Yuugi or someone 'bout that. It's been a while since I spent a lot of time in the city."
> _
-
>"I'm guessing the city's done for when the reactor bursts. Any clue where Yuugi is?"
>"Earlier you said there was someone else I should talk to about sealing. Who'd you mean?"
>As an aside, call out for Yukari again in the off-chance she's listening now.
(Other players, looking for some sort of opinion before I push on. Where do we go from here? Work on draining, bug Kanako, or interrogate the new animals?)
-
>"I'm guessing the city's done for when the reactor bursts. Any clue where Yuugi is?"
>"Earlier you said there was someone else I should talk to about sealing. Who'd you mean?"
>As an aside, call out for Yukari again in the off-chance she's listening now.
> "I think she was headed for the bridge last I saw 'er," Suika says. "And that would be really bad!"
> Suika reaches for more boulders, and now you see that she has gathered an entire pile of them. "Yukari's shikigami, of course. You know, Ran? Even the nekomata could help, or at least lead you to Ran. And if you're desperate enough to go looking for her in the city, you could try talking to Konngara about it."
> You call Yukari's name. She doesn't answer you.
> "...Nothing from Yukari?" Suika ventures.
> _
-
>Oh crud. Yuugi doesn't have a thing for Parsee, does she?
>"Oh right, Ran. She might be hard to find, though. I'll need to go find Konngara, then."
>"Of course Yukari's not answering. What could have got her so distracted?"
-
I am thinking that working on blocking it from the surface is a good idea. Also, bringing Satori to yell at the fish isn't a bad idea, either, but I wouldn't drag her everywhere. Satori aren't too well loved, after all.
>Have we seen many fish down here in the floodwaters?
-
>Oh crud. Yuugi doesn't have a thing for Parsee, does she?
>"Oh right, Ran. She might be hard to find, though. I'll need to go find Konngara, then."
>"Of course Yukari's not answering. What could have got her so distracted?"
> You don't know why you remember the bridge princess' name, but that idea doesn't seem too far-fetched.
> "Don't just give up before you even look for her." Suika shakes her fist at you.
> "Beats me. It's just like her to disappear at crucial moments like this, though."
>Have we seen many fish down here in the floodwaters?
> No. Not yet, at least.
> _
-
>Sounds like the Yuugi/Parsee issue might be critical. We should probably head there first, then look for Konngara on our way out.
>"If I have to leave, make sure to watch over Satori, okay? If anything happens to her, I'm gonna force you into sobriety for the rest of your life."
-
>Sounds like the Yuugi/Parsee issue might be critical. We should probably head there first, then look for Konngara on our way out.
>"If I have to leave, make sure to watch over Satori, okay? If anything happens to her, I'm gonna force you into sobriety for the rest of your life."
> You decide to go to the bridge and keep an eye out for Konngara as you leave.
> "You're one scary girl, y'know that?" Suika grins. "Leave 'er to me."
> _
-
>"Thanks, Suika. Seriously."
>Take it to the bridge. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rajcCaAWBs)
-
>"Thanks, Suika. Seriously."
>Take it to the bridge. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rajcCaAWBs)
> Suika gives you a thumbs up.
> You take to the skies and fly off towards the bridge, the opposite direction of whence you came. You fly over the Palace and its front yard, where you see Satori helping to stack sandbags in a protective wall around the gates. She sends you off with a wave as you head out over the city.
> The Ancient City is pretty big, so it takes you a while before the bridge is actually in sight. It's outside the city itself, and you have to pass by a section on the outskirts, one at a lower elevation than the rest, that has been completely submerged. Thankfully, it looks abandoned.
> You leave the city through a wide tunnel and land in a sizable cavern. And there's the bridge. It's still in tact, barring a few missing beams. The river, which is normally either dry as dust or barely flowing, is now maybe a few meters or so from the bottom of the bridge and racing like there's a 50% discount at the store that's ending in five minutes.
> There appears to be a few people on the bridge right now.
> _
-
>Descend.
-
>Descend.
> You descend upon the bridge. You see two girls sitting on the ground, leaning against the bridge railing and huddled in towels. Farther away is a tall blonde woman balancing a sake dish on her head as she examines a hole in the bridge.
> _
-
>Land beside the bridge, but not on it. It's probably unstable.
>Wait, two girls? Who are they? I assume one is Parsee, but who's the other?
>"Hey, everything okay over here?"
-
>Land beside the bridge, but not on it. It's probably unstable.
>Wait, two girls? Who are they? I assume one is Parsee, but who's the other?
>"Hey, everything okay over here?"
> There's really nowhere to land besides water, if you want to hold a conversation with the girls.
> Parsee is most definitely there. It's impossible to mistake her for anyone else given her ears, distinctive eye color, and unique clothing. She's resting her arms on her knees and squinting at the river below. As for the other girl...you're not sure. She's almost completely engulfed in her towel, and all you can see are her red eyes and blonde hair.
> Parsee's eyebrows raise when she finally notices you.
> "Never been better...How the hell did you get past me?" she inquires.
> _
-
Time to play Guess The Touhou!
>"Took a side-route. All roads lead to Hell, as they say."
>Look at the girl currently covered in towelly goodness. "What happened to her? Fell in the river?"
-
>"Took a side-route. All roads lead to Hell, as they say."
>Look at the girl currently covered in towelly goodness. "What happened to her? Fell in the river?"
> "What, the bridge ain't good enough for ya?" Parsee releases a sigh. "Hahhh...oh, well. Yeah, pretty much. It was before the water got like this--" she waves her hand at the river, "--though. So, what's going on?"
> _
-
>"Rain. Lots of it. I'm trying to figure out who's responsible. Has anyone been acting unusual over the last few days?"
>Try to get Yuugi's attention. "Hey, Yuugi, I could use your help with something."
-
>"Rain. Lots of it. I'm trying to figure out who's responsible. Has anyone been acting unusual over the last few days?"
>Try to get Yuugi's attention. "Hey, Yuugi, I could use your help with something."
> "This is from rain?" Parsee says, astonished. "No, we haven't seen anything out of the ordinary."
> You call out to Yuugi. She looks up from where she's crouched and, not missing a single beat, waves at you with her entire arm.
> "Whaddya need?"
> _
-
>"I was thinking of busting some caverns open to drain some of this water. Anywhere you know that's a good place to try?"
>Try to examine the girl in the towel further without pushing too hard.
-
>"I was thinking of busting some caverns open to drain some of this water. Anywhere you know that's a good place to try?"
>Try to examine the girl in the towel further without pushing too hard.
> Yuugi nods. It's a miracle she hasn't dropped her sake dish.
> "The Abyss." Her smile sobers up a little. "...Er, it's a deserted part of the city. I dunno if you know where that is."
> You side-eye the girl in the towel. She seems to notice you looking at her, because now she's staring up at you with wide eyes. The tip of a red shoe is visible from beneath the towel, now that you look closely.
> _
-
>"Not really. Will anyone miss it if we stuff it full of water?"
>Turn to the girl in the towel. "Hey, little girl. You alright?"
>Does the girl in the towel ring any sort of bells in our head? Any kind of familiarity? Any sign of a pair of giant shiny wings under that towel?
-
>"Not really. Will anyone miss it if we stuff it full of water?"
>Turn to the girl in the towel. "Hey, little girl. You alright?"
>Does the girl in the towel ring any sort of bells in our head? Any kind of familiarity? Any sign of a pair of giant shiny wings under that towel?
> Yuugi shakes her head. "No skin off anyone else's back."
> Parsee reaches over and pokes the girl's cheek. "Hey, she's talking to you, y'know."
> The girl makes a snap for Parsee's finger, but the bridge princess pulls her hand away just in time. It doesn't look like she has any wings under there. She doesn't seem to have any features remarkable enough for you to put a name to a face.
> The girl nods. "Uh-huh."
> _
-
>Turn to Parsee. "Who is she? Is she gonna have any parents looking for her?"
>Back to Yuugi. "Good to hear. What would we need to do to open it up?"
-
>Turn to Parsee. "Who is she? Is she gonna have any parents looking for her?"
>Back to Yuugi. "Good to hear. What would we need to do to open it up?"
> "What? She's a youkai. She doesn't have parents," Parsee says.
> You go back to your second conversation with Yuugi. She's approaching the three of you from the other side of the bridge now.
> "We'll need massive firepower," Yuugi explains as she walks. "The tunnel's there, but it's deep in bedrock."
> _
-
>"Does Suika qualify as massive firepower? Or are we talking about Okuu?"
>"How long are these tunnels? Will they buy the city a decent bit of time?"
-
>"Does Suika qualify as massive firepower? Or are we talking about Okuu?"
>"How long are these tunnels? Will they buy the city a decent bit of time?"
> "Hm...." Yuugi furrows her brow.
> "...Okuu. Definitely Okuu. And yeah. Those tunnels connect to the passage that takes water away from Parsee's bridge." Yuugi points in the direction the water's flowing.
> _
-
>"Got it. Should I go grab Okuu from the Palace, then?"
-
>"Got it. Should I go grab Okuu from the Palace, then?"
> "If she's up to it."
> _
-
>"Got it."
>Back to the Palace, then!
-
>"Got it."
>Back to the Palace, then!
> You fly back to the Palace, almost as quickly as you left it. When you reach the front gate, you see that Satori and the other pets on the front lawn have already finished putting down the sandbags, and are currently making sure they are steady and in place.
> _
-
>Hunt down birdbrain. And maybe wave over Satori if she is close by.
-
>Hunt down birdbrain. And maybe wave over Satori if she is close by.
> As you head towards the Palace entrance, you beckon Satori over. She quickly falls into step with you.
> "I only asked for help with the reactor...I didn't think you'd go this far to help us. I mean, I wasn't around to read your mind when you made that decision. I'm sorry." She looks a little guilty.
> _
-
>"It would be very inconvenient for me if you went and drowned, don't you think?"
>Hunt dat raven!
-
>"It would be very inconvenient for me if you went and drowned, don't you think?"
>Hunt dat raven!
> "...Ah. That would be true."
> The two of you enter the Palace, and almost as if on cue, Satori takes your hand and leads you towards the staircase.
> "Okuu would be this way."
> _
-
>Allow that hand to be taken, and follow.
>"Besides, I'm gambling it shouldn't take too much time to set this all up. Though I guess Marisa might be getting a head start on me..."
-
>Have other
stage five bosses people solved incidents that we know of? Sakuya, Sanae, Youmu?
-
>Allow that hand to be taken, and follow.
>"Besides, I'm gambling it shouldn't take too much time to set this all up. Though I guess Marisa might be getting a head start on me..."
> Satori leads you up the stairs and down a hallway opposite of where you found Suika in the dovecote.
> "You were quick to come down here," Satori remarks.
> When you mention Marisa, Satori merely says, "Perhaps. You haven't met her yet today."
>Have other stage five bosses people solved incidents that we know of? Sakuya, Sanae, Youmu?
> Years ago, when Byakuren and her crew first arrived in Gensokyo, Sanae was the one who was in charge of solving that incident. It was a few years after the Moriya Shrine arrived in Gensokyo, and she was getting used to things and eager to help. Sakuya and Youmu have assisted with incidents beforehand, as well.
> Satori's third eye watches you closely, but the girl herself is more focused on the door that the two of you have just stopped in front of.
> "This is her room," Satori says. "...She's still upset about what happened with the reactor."
> _
-
>"Poor thing. It's not her fault."
-
>"We'll get things sorted. And hopefully she'll be happy to help out."
>Knock on the door.
-
>"Poor thing. It's not her fault."
> Satori nods in understanding.
>"We'll get things sorted. And hopefully she'll be happy to help out."
>Knock on the door.
> "Yes, I'm sure it'll be a good distraction for her."
> You knock on the door. Seconds later, it opens ajar, and a sliver of Okuu's worried face peers through.
> "Lady Satori..?"
> _
-
>"Hey kiddo, you got a minute?"
-
>"Hey kiddo, you got a minute?"
> Okuu opens the door wider. Her hair's still a bit damp, but she's wearing dry clothes now. Her wings flutter in curiosity.
> "What is it?"
> _
-
>"You want to help us divert the flood from the city a bit?"
-
>"You want to help us divert the flood from the city a bit?"
> Okuu's wings fluff up.
> "You mean...get rid of all the water?"
> _
-
>"I don't know about all of the water, but certainly a lot of it."
-
>"It'll buy some time, at least."
-
>"I don't know about all of the water, but certainly a lot of it."
>"It'll buy some time, at least."
> Okuu scrunches up her face in thought. "...That's close enough."
> _
-
>"Come with me, then."
-
>"Come with me, then."
> Okuu steps out of her room. She looks to Satori, who gives her a smile and a nod.
> Okuu nods to you. "Okay."
> _
-
>Clap hellcrow on the shoulder, and lead her where we need to go. Give Satori the appropriate farewells when we part company.
-
>Clap hellcrow on the shoulder, and lead her where we need to go. Give Satori the appropriate farewells when we part company.
> Okuu grins, or at least tries to. She still seems shaken by what happened earlier.
> The three of you head for the main gate. Satori's pets, their work done, have now retreated inside. Satori, however, follows you and Okuu right to the exit. You take a moment to say farewell before you part ways for the time being.
> "Take care of her," Satori says to you. She then hugs the both of you.
> You and Okuu fly off and head back towards the bridge. Despite being a safe distance from the water, Okuu keeps giving it the side-eye until you've both reached the bridge again. The girl in the towel has not moved from her previous position, but Parsee and Yuugi are busy patching up parts of the bridge that were damaged by the water. Okuu lands on the bridge railing, dances along it for a few steps, and then flutters to the middle of the bridge.
> _
-
>"Hey, Yuugi! I got who you needed"!
-
>"Hey, Yuugi! I got who you needed"!
> Yuugi looks up, and a wide grin breaks out on her face.
> "You really did!" She sets down the hammer she's holding and hops over a few beams to reach Okuu.
> "Heya," the oni greets, and she and Okuu bump fists (Okuu giggles). Parsee is staring at all three of you, and almost hits her fingers with the hammer she's using.
> _
-
>"Anything else you need me to do with this, or is it your show now?"
-
>"Anything else you need me to do with this, or is it your show now?"
> Yuugi looks over at you. "If you wanna come along, you can, but if you got places to be we won't get in your way."
> Parsee waves her hammer non-threateningly and adds, "And use the bridge entrance next time, will you?"
> _
-
So, I see four clear paths.
A. We beat up Kanako until she confesses
B. We beat up Iku until she confesses.
C. We have Satori talk to da fishes.
D. We pick a place and go to it.
Thoughts?
-
I say E. All of the above lolno
I vote for D. Pick a place and go.
-
As much as I like C I think it might involve too much planning. B is out because actually pinning down Iku would be pretty difficult - I mean, for all we know, she could be at the Dragon Palace right now.
I say we start with A, and retreat back to C if grilling the Moriyas gets us nowhere.
-
I am liking A.
-
>How many continues did we use fighting Kanako?
Satori said to take care of her. Should we wait for Okuu to finish and escort her home?
-
Unless we remember Yuugi being a really unpleasant character we can probably trust her with Okuu.
-
>How many continues did we use fighting Kanako?
> You had some pretty close shaves during your fight with Kanako, but you don't think you needed a rematch against her...
> _
-
>"Alright, I'm heading toward Youkai mountain, if anyone asks. You all try to keep dry!"
>Let's head out the bridge path to the surface; keep an eye out for other residents.
-
>"Alright, I'm heading toward Youkai mountain, if anyone asks. You all try to keep dry!"
>Let's head out the bridge path to the surface; keep an eye out for other residents.
> Parsee goes back to hammering. "Good."
> You cross the bridge and enter the tunnel that leads to the surface. As expected, there's water here too, but it falls harmlessly down the tube like little waterfalls. You don't see any tsuchigumo here, but you do see one or two tsurube-otoshi. none of them stick around long enough for you to recognize any.
> After a while, you reach the surface. The sky is still starry and colorful, and the water bubbles up there haven't moved. It's a little jarring to see this instead of Gensokyo's blue summer sky.
> It seems the water from the flooded pond behind the shrine has extended all the way out to the underground entrance, but the drainage isn't big enough to cause any problems.
> _
-
Oh man I completely forgot there was a hole in the goddamn sky.
>Give that thing a quick look on the way over to the youkai mountain - seems like a good place to find Yukari, or at least Ran.
-
>Give that thing a quick look on the way over to the youkai mountain - seems like a good place to find Yukari, or at least Ran.
> You glance up at the sky while you're flying to Youkai Mountain. You consider the possibility that Yukari and/or Ran would be up there, near the big crack in the sky. That would certainly be an interesting location for them to be! It seems like a long flight, though.
> You pass over the Human Village and see that the Palaquin is right where you left it. You're too high up to see anyone you recognize, though. At least you recognize the landmarks down below. It's not long before you're hovering over the fields that are at the base of Youkai mountain. Despite all the wheat that's probably been ruined, it looks pretty from your viewpoint. Especially with all the fish.
> _
-
>OK then, we'll deal with the scar later. We have an appointment to attend to.
>Ascend the mountain.
-
>OK then, we'll deal with the scar later. We have an appointment to attend to.
>Ascend the mountain.
> You figure the sky can wait.
> You fly up the mountain, past the submerged forest, and the kappa and their merry-making. You go past the waterfall and over the tengu village. As usual, the trees here are so large you can't even see past the walls. You can see, however, the occasional tengu going back and forth over the walls. A few more seem to be standing guard a good distance from this area. Most likely intercepting people who get too close, you imagine.
> Somewhere near the tengu village, you see a shrine. It looks like it's pretty well-kept, and there are even people there, indicating that it's an active shrine. Youkai, you assume, are its patrons; very few humans ever get this far up the mountain.
> You leave all this behind, and eventually the Moriya Shrine is in sight. From this high up, the view is staggering.
> _
-
>Kick the door open.
>"Kanakoooooooooooooooooooo!"
-
>Kick the door open.
>"Kanakoooooooooooooooooooo!"
> You race up the rest of the mountain, zoom through the torii--almost headbutting a tengu in the process--and fly-kick through the sliding door. There is...no one inside?
> Behind you, just outside the shrine, you hear confused murmuring.
> _
-
>Follow the murmuring. Maintain our HIGHEST LEVEL ANGRY-FACE. >:[
-
> Make sure to punctuate angry face with angry gohei pointing, assuming we have it with us.
-
>Follow the murmuring. Maintain our HIGHEST LEVEL ANGRY-FACE. >:[
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/angryreimu_zps2e54d1ae.png)
> All you have to do is turn around to find the source of the murmuring. It seems that in your rage, you failed to notice all the youkai loitering around the front of the shrine. They're all staring at you, some looking intimidated and others plain confused. A few mountain faeries of low constitution flee at the sight of your face.
> One person in the middle of the crowd raises their hand and speaks up.
> "Excuse me, what's that you're wearing?" she asks.
> Make sure to punctuate angry face with angry gohei pointing, assuming we have it with us.
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/angryreimu2_zpsd919e051.png)
> Now why would you leave your gohei behind?
> You point your gohei threateningly, and the person in the crowd puts their hand down.
> _
-
>"Kanako. Where. Is. She."
-
>"Kanako. Where. Is. She."
> The crowd of youkai start chattering again, repeating the question amongst themselves.
> "Our lady? Where is she?"
> "Well, I haven't seen her."
> "Yasaka-sama? Nah, it's a shame, though."
> "Didn't Moriya-sama know or something?"
> "Probably. Where is she?"
> The crowd has stopped paying attention to you.
> _
-
>Unleash a primal, furious roar.
>Look for Suwako.
[On a side note - how public is our relationship with Satori? I need to know exactly what threats I can make when we track down one of these goddesses.]
-
>Unleash a primal, furious roar.
>Look for Suwako.
> You let your anger get the better of you. The youkai are starting to give you weird looks, and many of them back away from you.
> You don't see Suwako in the vicinity. You'll have to pick a place on the premises to look for her.
> _
-
>Go around to the lake behind the shrine.
-
>Go around to the lake behind the shrine.
> You remember the lake behind the shrine. No one follows you when you head back there.
> There are less youkai here. When they see you, the move out of the way, but appear more confused than outright scared of you.
> The "lake" behind the shrine is bigger than the one behind your shrine, but it's set up differently. Whereas the water in yours is filled with murky water and algae--at least, before the incident, anyway--Suwako's lake is surrounded by reeds and has lily pads floating in it. The water has overflowed, but not by much.
> "Ribbit."
> _
-
>Determine whether the ribbit is from Suwako or just a frog.
>[On a side note - how public is our relationship with Satori? I need to know exactly what threats I can make here.]
-
>Determine whether the ribbit is from Suwako or just a frog.
>[On a side note - how public is our relationship with Satori? I need to know exactly what threats I can make here.]
> You honestly can't tell. Suwako is very good at sounding like a frog.
> You spontaneously think about your relationship with Satori. Most people don't know. Some either know you're in a relationship but not about Satori, others know about Satori but not about the specifics of your relationship. Fewer know that you're in a relationship and it's with Satori. This last group is mainly comprised of the youkai you know underground, and close friends from the surface.
> _
-
>"Suwako! We need to have a long, meaningful talk."
>Fire some danmaku at the most conspicuous frog we can see.
-
>"Suwako! We need to have a long, meaningful talk."
>Fire some danmaku at the most conspicuous frog we can see.
> You fire danmaku at an unsuspecting frog. It ribbits and leaps from its lily pad into the pond.
> "Hey now, there's no need for shooting at an innocent frog," a young girl's voice scolds. "Glub."
> The top of a brown hat breaks through the surface of the water. Its googly eyes fixate on you. Then the rest of it emerges and a sleeve-covered hand reaches out of the water to push up the brim. A pair of wide, shiny eyes blink at you through strands of wet blonde hair.
> "Ah. Excuse me." The owner of the hat brushes the hair out of her face.
> _
-
>Sit down. Crack knuckles menacingly.
>"Morning, Suwako. Sorry to interrupt you like this, but I have a very important question to ask you..."
>Point at the scar in the sky. "WHAT THE HELL DID KANAKO DO LAST NIGHT?"
-
I wonder ... Would it be worth flying around looking for gatherings of fairies or minion youkai?
-
I wonder ... Would it be worth flying around looking for gatherings of fairies or minion youkai?
We haven't heard about anything like that in our travels so far, and we've covered a lot of ground. The closest we have are all the dolphins and sharks swimming around.
-
>Sit down. Crack knuckles menacingly.
>"Morning, Suwako. Sorry to interrupt you like this, but I have a very important question to ask you..."
>Point at the scar in the sky. "WHAT THE HELL DID KANAKO DO LAST NIGHT?"
> Suwako's mouth hangs open for a few moments. She tilts her head from side to side and looks to where you're pointing.
> "What makes you think Kanako did this?" she asks with a ribbit.
> _
-
>"A couple of things. One, the massive rainstorm last night when Kanako is a goddess of rain. Two, the fact it's a hole in the sky when she's also a goddess of the sky. Three, the fact that the people who've been hit worst by this incident are the underground youkai - known enemies of your followers. Four, your strange lack of action in salvaging your own reactor following the incident - for the record, it's probably going to burst open in a few hours."
>"And five-" Click your fingers. "The convenient disappearance of both Kanako and Sanae. That's too much to be a coincidence, surely."
-
>"Also: the people happiest about this are the kappa, your followers. "
-
>"A couple of things. One, the massive rainstorm last night when Kanako is a goddess of rain. Two, the fact it's a hole in the sky when she's also a goddess of the sky. Three, the fact that the people who've been hit worst by this incident are the underground youkai - known enemies of your followers. Four, your strange lack of action in salvaging your own reactor following the incident - for the record, it's probably going to burst open in a few hours."
>"And five-" Click your fingers. "The convenient disappearance of both Kanako and Sanae. That's too much to be a coincidence, surely."
> Suwako listens to you quietly, and waits until you're done talking to speak.
> "Kanako tried very hard to win over the youkai of the Former Hell after the Geyser Incident," she says. "And one of the last things she did was perform an emergency shut-down of the reactor. That, no one here expected you to know anyway. You were never involved in our affairs, anyway."
> You see Suwako's fingers curling and uncurling under her sleeves. "So I can understand why you would be suspicious of Kanako. But what I won't accept is that you're involving Sanae in this."
>"Also: the people happiest about this are the kappa, your followers. "
> "Auu...They're kappa, dummy, it's in their nature to get excited over water."
> _
-
>"And why not? You've got to admit the pieces line up pretty neatly. The rain might have been a miraculous display that went wrong, and I haven't heard from Sanae since just about when the clouds started forming."
-
>"And why not? You've got to admit the pieces line up pretty neatly. The rain might have been a miraculous display that went wrong, and I haven't heard from Sanae since just about when the clouds started forming."
> "Because she's been asleep this whole time," Suwako frets.
> _
-
>"...Wait, what? Let me see her."
-
>"...Wait, what? Let me see her."
> "She's at her shrine right now," Suwako says. "Do you not know the way? I could show you. Ribbit."
> _
-
>"Yeah, you'd better come with me."
>Take Suwako to Sanae's shrine.
-
>"Yeah, you'd better come with me."
>Take Suwako to Sanae's shrine.
> Suwako hops out of the water and continues to hop across the grass froggy-style.
> "This way," she calls to you.
> All of the youkai are still there when the two of you make for the shrine's exit. Many bow at the sight of Suwako, but all you get are looks that vary from apprehensive to outright disdainful. However, none seem inclined to stop you.
> Suwako leads you a good way down the mountain. You're now at the part of the mountain with the large trees, where you assume the tengu village to be located. You and Suwako are headed towards a shrine roof, just barely visible over the tops of the trees. Now that you're closer, you see that it's quite an impressive shrine. Could Sanae really be living in such a place?
> _
-
>"Why haven't I seen this place before? I really don't remember Sanae having her own shrine."
>Enter.
-
>"Why haven't I seen this place before? I really don't remember Sanae having her own shrine."
>Enter.
> "Did she not tell you?" Suwako asks as the two of you land in front of the shrine. After a brisk walk up the pathway and past the donation box, you're in.
> It's clear that this shrine is well taken care of. You can almost see your reflections in the hardwood floor. There are decorations of flowers here and there. It's very quiet in here, and it gives a sense of being much bigger than it actually is.
> You're not alone in the shrine, however. Youkai are in the halls, ringing the bell outside, sitting on the deck surrounding the shrine. You notice that the vast majority of them are tengu.
> "It opened last year," Suwako says in a hushed voice. "There was a lot of fanfare. Don't you remember?"
> _
-
>Do we remember this?
-
>Do we remember this?
> You don't think so. How could you not remember something this important?
> _
-
>Did the incident that we don't remember that was discussed earlier, the night of the rainstorm, take place around this time?
-
>Did the incident that we don't remember that was discussed earlier, the night of the rainstorm, take place around this time?
> You try to remember when the incident of three years ago occurred. You actually think..it happened in winter, too, somehow.
> _
-
>We should talk to Satori about these memory issues. She might have heard of things like this before.
-
>"Sorry. My brain's all over the place right now."
>Continue further in for any sign of Sanae herself.
-
>We should talk to Satori about these memory issues. She might have heard of things like this before.
> You're starting to get worried by this.
>"Sorry. My brain's all over the place right now."
>Continue further in for any sign of Sanae herself.
> Suwako shakes her head. "Take your time."
> The two of you continue further into the shrine. Going through one of the doors in the hallway you end up in the inner part of the shrine. You seem to have ended up in a guest room of some sort. The door on the opposite side of the room is ajar, and you briefly see someone walk past it.
> _
-
>"Sanae? Is that you?"
>Poke our head through the door.
-
>"Sanae? Is that you?"
>Poke our head through the door.
> You call out to Sanae and look through the door. You make it in time to see the hem of a blue skirt disappear around the corner. Suwako squeezes between you and the door to get out, and starts off in the direction of whoever was wearing the skirt.
> _
-
>Follow Suwako.
-
>Follow Suwako.
> You follow Suwako down the hall and around the corner.
> The two of you emerge into another hallway. The floor here goes in a circle...or rather, a square. In the middle of it all is a room, walls reaching the ceiling high above. Gauze hangs from the rafters and over the doorways that are positioned on each wall. They all lead into the room.
> _
-
>"Sanae's got strange taste in design."
>Enter The Room. oh hai mark
-
>"Sanae's got strange taste in design."
>Enter The Room. oh hai mark
> "...I can't really argue with you on that," Suwako says at last.
> You enter the room through one of the doors. Light shines down from what you think is a window, but there's so much billowy fabric hanging from the ceiling that it's hard to tell. A round bed sits in the middle of the room, covered in flowers and surrounded by offerings left by previous visitors: sweets, candles, a can of coffee, and oddly enough, a block puzzle. Sanae is curled up on the bed, wearing the kind of clothes you're more likely to see on Kaguya than a shrine maiden. She also seems to have acquired more hair decorations: a snail hairpin, and a brown feather tucked behind her ear. She's enveloped in a bronze glow and fast asleep.
> Suwako approaches the bed to brush some hair from Sanae's face, and you feel a hand grab your shoulder.
> _
-
>!!!
>Turn around.
-
>!!!
>Turn around.
> You wheel around and come face to face with a pair of red and blue eyes.
> "Boo!"
> _
-
>Remain utterly motionless. :|
-
>Remain utterly motionless. :|
> Then raise our gohei. :|
-
>WHO?!
-
>WHO?!
>We know who. Maybe.
-
>Remain utterly motionless. :|
> You stay completely still.
> "Haha! Did I scare you?"
> Then raise our gohei. :|
> The girl who grabbed your shoulder wears a broad smile, which fades a little when you raise your gohei.
> "...Eh?"
>WHO?!
>We know who. Maybe.
> You've seen this youkai a few times. She's always carrying around that hideous umbrella, even now. Her clothes are all blues and teals; she must have been the one you saw through the door earlier. Ah, yes, it's the troublesome karakasa girl.
> _
-
>"I didn't have you down as the pious type. You in for the revelations?"
>Turn to Sanae. "How long has she been like this?"
-
> No sense in taking out our frustration with Kanako on some random youkai, even if she sc- surp- came up from behind us.
> That said, she does need to be taught a bit of a lesson. Thwack her lightly on her forehead with the gohei.
-
>"I didn't have you down as the pious type. You in for the revelations?"
>Turn to Sanae. "How long has she been like this?"
> "I live here," the karakasa says, smiling and crossing her arms over her chest. She deflates when you mention Sanae.
> "...I don't know...a few weeks?" She joins Suwako in glancing at Sanae with a worried expression.
> No sense in taking out our frustration with Kanako on some random youkai, even if she sc- surp- came up from behind us.
> That said, she does need to be taught a bit of a lesson. Thwack her lightly on her forehead with the gohei.
> "Wah!" The karakasa flinches. She's not hurt, though. It's not like this is her fault.
> _
-
>"Any clue what happened to her, Suwako? And where exactly is Kanako right now?"
-
>"Any clue what happened to her, Suwako? And where exactly is Kanako right now?"
> Suwako shakes her head. "She could've got sucked into a particularly good dream."
> "Nothing we've done has woken her up," the karakasa adds.
> "Kanako could be anywhere right now. After the rain stopped, she couldn't maintain her human form anymore and went poof." At the last word, Suwako throws her arms in the air.
> _
-
>"Couldn't maintain her form? You mean she ran out of faith?"
-
>"Couldn't maintain her form? You mean she ran out of faith?"
> Suwako nods. Her hat bobs up and down on her head.
> _
-
>"How'd that happen? Has there been a shortage of followers lately?"
-
>"How'd that happen? Has there been a shortage of followers lately?"
> "It was a lot of things. Although she'd get mad at me for saying it, it was partially Sanae's fault for increasing competition for faith. You also weren't the only one who thought the flood was Kanako's fault," Suwako explains. "And she had a hard time winning over the Underground. Although we came to Gensokyo for faith, she's in quite a pickle. Ribbit..."
> _
-
>That bronze glow around Sanae, does it resemble the glow that people have when they handle our shell parts?
-
>That bronze glow around Sanae, does it resemble the glow that people have when they handle our shell parts?
> It's exactly the same.
> _
-
>"Hey. When did she get that glow?"
-
>"Hey. When did she get that glow?"
> The karakasa girl speaks up. "Two or three days ago. Why?"
> _
-
>Cast Detect Magic on Sanae.
-
>"Because it's weird and noteworthy. What's causing it?"
-
>Cast Detect Magic on Sanae.
> You're not sure what you're sensing here. It all feels like divine power to you.
>"Because it's weird and noteworthy. What's causing it?"
> "Um, well..." The karakasa looks put on the spot. "We all just assumed it was normal for her, you see..."
> "Is this the first time this has happened?" Suwako asks.
> "Y-yes."
> _
-
> Dig around for those bronze things. When did Sanae start gathering faith for herself, anyways? You'd think we'd remember that...
-
> Dig around for those bronze things. When did Sanae start gathering faith for herself, anyways? You'd think we'd remember that...
> You retrieve the bronze shards from your inventory. Sure enough, they give off the same glow as Sanae is right now.
> Sanae's situation is something you should remember more than you do. You think it might have been a year to two years ago that this happened.
> Suwako and the karakasa stare at the shards.
> "I have never seen anything like that before," Suwako remarks.
> _
-
>These memory problems are really getting annoying. Maybe we should talk to Satori about them.
>"I found one in my pond, and a little invisible dope had the other. Dunno what's up with them, but they've got the glow just like Sanae..."
>Poke Sanae with one of the bronze pieces.
-
>These memory problems are really getting annoying. Maybe we should talk to Satori about them.
>"I found one in my pond, and a little invisible dope had the other. Dunno what's up with them, but they've got the glow just like Sanae..."
>Poke Sanae with one of the bronze pieces.
> You make note to consult Satori about your memory problems.
> Suwako furrows her brow. "Hmm..."
> You reach out and poke Sanae with a bronze shard. The glow around Sanae intensifies.
> _
-
>"Yep, she's got one, looks like."
>Rifle through her pockets if she isn't obviously holding one.
-
>So she's been asleep for a few weeks, but she started glowing a few days ago. That means someone must have planted the shard on her, because she was obviously in no state to take it herself.
>"Who's been visiting Sanae in the last few days? Anyone unusual?"
-
>"Yep, she's got one, looks like."
>Rifle through her pockets if she isn't obviously holding one.
> The karakasa reaches out and says "Hey, you can't just touch her like that..." but makes no attempt to stop you.
> You don't find anything in her robes.
>So she's been asleep for a few weeks, but she started glowing a few days ago. That means someone must have planted the shard on her, because she was obviously in no state to take it herself.
>"Who's been visiting Sanae in the last few days? Anyone unusual?"
> You consider the possibility of someone giving you a shard.
> "Just the tengu," says the karakasa.
> _
-
>Plan B - press the shard against her. Maybe these are little pieces of Sanae?
>"How have the tengu responded to this, by the way?"
-
>Plan B - press the shard against her. Maybe these are little pieces of Sanae?
>"How have the tengu responded to this, by the way?"
> You press the shard against Sanae. She doesn't stir.
> "They've been worried," the karakasa says.
> "They were the first ones to let Kanako and I know about this," Suwako adds with a nod.
> _
-
> "I see."
> Sigh very very hard. "Sorry for snapping at you earlier, Suwako. I just...well, I have a personal involvement in this, and I'll leave it at that."
-
> "I see."
> Sigh very very hard. "Sorry for snapping at you earlier, Suwako. I just...well, I have a personal involvement in this, and I'll leave it at that."
> Suwako nods again. "I understand."
> _
-
> "One thing's for sure, though." Show Suwako the shard. "Whatever's happened to Sanae, it's got something to do with these things. Looks like we've got a common goal after all."
-
They're obviously Horcruxes, and Sanae is the Girl Who Lived.
-
> "One thing's for sure, though." Show Suwako the shard. "Whatever's happened to Sanae, it's got something to do with these things. Looks like we've got a common goal after all."
> Suwako grins. "And a lead."
> "I'll...I'll help too!" the karakasa pipes up.
> _
-
>"Not sure how much help surprising people will be, but I wouldn't mind some backup."
>Look to Suwako. "I might need some help checking out the whole water situation. Do you have any spells that'll make it easier for me to get around? A water-breathing charm, or something?" Show the shard again. "Or even some way to detect the energy these things are letting off."
-
>"Hey, have you moved her at all? She'll get bedsores if you leave her like that."
-
>"Not sure how much help surprising people will be, but I wouldn't mind some backup."
>Look to Suwako. "I might need some help checking out the whole water situation. Do you have any spells that'll make it easier for me to get around? A water-breathing charm, or something?" Show the shard again. "Or even some way to detect the energy these things are letting off."
> "You underestimate the element of surprise," the karakasa whispers, half to herself.
> "Ribbit. I could whip up a charm like that," Suwako says. "For water-breathing. It'd be different from a magicians, but I can do it."
> She scrutinizes the shard. "I don't know about those. Detecting magic energy is more about intuition than spells."
>"Hey, have you moved her at all? She'll get bedsores if you leave her like that."
> "Well, the thing is, we don't know where to put her," the karakasa admits. She stares at the ground. "Plus, the youkai around the shrine respect Sanae too much to manhandle her."
> _
-
>"That charm would be a great help, thanks."
>Add the karakasa-whose-name-we-have-forgotten to our party.
>"If you need someone to move her about, I'm up for it. Even if it's just to turn her over."
-
>Since when has Sanae gotten cozy enough with youkai to be roomies with them? Or did she grow out of her extermination phase a while ago?
WAHAHAHA
-
>"That charm would be a great help, thanks."
>Add the karakasa-whose-name-we-have-forgotten to our party.
>"If you need someone to move her about, I'm up for it. Even if it's just to turn her over."
> Suwako's grin broadens.
> You decide to employ the karakasa's help.
> "You can do that?" the karakasa asks, eyes wide.
>Since when has Sanae gotten cozy enough with youkai to be roomies with them? Or did she grow out of her extermination phase a while ago? WAHAHAHA
> She mellowed out some time after the UFO incident. You guess she was coming down from her I-just-moved-to-Gensokyo-and-eveRYTHING-EXCITES-ME phase.
> But she still does the WAHAHA laugh.
> _
-
>"Uh, yeah. All you gotta do is push, and she'll flip right over. It's not that hard."
-
>Demonstrate our ability to lift and move people.
>"So how's this charm gonna work? Does it have a time limit or anything?"
-
>"Uh, yeah. All you gotta do is push, and she'll flip right over. It's not that hard."
> The karakasa sticks her tongue out at you. "I can do that."
>Demonstrate our ability to lift and move people.
>"So how's this charm gonna work? Does it have a time limit or anything?"
> Suwako chuckles as you lift Sanae and roll her over on her other side, crushing some innocent flowers in the process. It was an inelegant maneuver, but at least she was moved. Sanae is now sleeping with her back to you.
> "It'll be an accessory," Suwako says. "It works as long as you're wearing it. I'll have to make it first."
> _
-
>"Right. Any clue how long that'll take?"
>If it's more than a few minutes, maybe we should take the time to look at that hole in the sky.
-
>"Right. Any clue how long that'll take?"
>If it's more than a few minutes, maybe we should take the time to look at that hole in the sky.
> "An hour or so, give or take." Suwako shrugs.
> You still haven't checked out the sky yet, and figure that this is a good opportunity to do so.
> _
-
Anything else we should do here before we go, guys?
-
Nothing? It would be really good to talk to someone about these huge memory gaps we're ha-
Gaps.... YUKARI >:<
-
Alternately, do we know about the existence of things like telescopes? Might be useful for getting a look at those sky holes without getting too close.
Also I was hoping the anti-bedsore measure might have revealed she was laying on a shell piece.
-
Yeah, all that did was prove she was raiding Kaguya's closet.
>Glance at whatserface. "So, uh, I'm gonna see what's up with the sky. You up for it?"
-
>Glance at whatserface. "So, uh, I'm gonna see what's up with the sky. You up for it?"
> The karakasa smiles a little. "I wouldn't turn down an invitation to go flying."
> _
-
>"Huh." Turn to Suwako. "So, yeah. We'll be back before you know it."
> Let's start making our way outside. "So, we might have to whack someone a few times. That umbrella of yours any good at that?"
-
>"Huh." Turn to Suwako. "So, yeah. We'll be back before you know it."
> Let's start making our way outside. "So, we might have to whack someone a few times. That umbrella of yours any good at that?"
> Suwako ribbits at you.
> You and the karakasa leave Sanae's room and start back the way you came.
> The karakasa's smile falters. "I guess so, but I wouldn't want to hit someone that would make my umbrella break."
> _
-
>"You can probably get a good kick out of those geta, at least."
>Have a look at the sky, and note the details about all the oddities up there.
-
>"You can probably get a good kick out of those geta, at least."
>Have a look at the sky, and note the details about all the oddities up there.
> "Oh, yeah."
> Once the two of you are outside, you look up at the sky.
> The crack in the sky hasn't changed, except now that you actually look at it, the sky along it is darker than the rest. You suppose that blue would still be a passable color for the sky, but you can't ignore the other colors up there. The colors are in the clouds and bleed into the sky a little. You can see all the stars, but not the moon. If you may digress, it should be a full moon in two days. Tonight it should be visible.
> The water bubbles hang in place. You think they're the only things that aren't moving in the sky: everything else is following the celestial clock: the sun has shifted across the sky as usual, and so on.
> _
-
> "Well, good thing you've got that umbrella with you. Or, uh, you've got your you with you." Karakasa are weird.
> "So, yeah, it's gonna get wet." Get ready to hit the sky.
-
>Are there any water spheres or other oddities relatively nearby?
>"So, when'd Sanae start dressing like an alien?"
-
> "Well, good thing you've got that umbrella with you. Or, uh, you've got your you with you." Karakasa are weird.
> "So, yeah, it's gonna get wet." Get ready to hit the sky.
> "I got it, I got it."
> The two of you lift off the ground and into the sky. It looks like smooth sailing today.
>Are there any water spheres or other oddities relatively nearby?
>"So, when'd Sanae start dressing like an alien?"
> No. You'll have to fly higher to get to them.
> The karakasa purses her lips. "Since the shrine opened. You're the one dressed like an alien. What is that?"
> _
-
>"They wear this kind of thing around Eientei?"
>Let's close in on the nearest skyborn oddity.
-
>"They wear this kind of thing around Eientei?"
>Let's close in on the nearest skyborn oddity.
> "Oh." The karakasa twirls her umbrella. "I've only been to Eientei a few times."
> You fly to the nearest water bubble. It's huge. You could easily fit three Kourindous in here. The water is clear as glass and you can see to the other side.
> _
-
>Does there seem to be anything inside?
>Try sticking a finger in it.
-
>Does there seem to be anything inside?
>Try sticking a finger in it.
> No, but there might be in the others.
> You stick your finger into the bubble. There's water in there.
> The karakasa is already distracted and is flying over to nearby bubbles. She looks like she's enjoying herself.
> _
-
>Try to splash some water out of it.
-
>Try to splash some water out of it.
> You try splashing some water out and a stream of it gushes out instead. You get soaked.
> _
-
>Good thing we were wearing a swimsuit, then!
>Check the other bubbles to see if there's anything inside.
-
>Back away.
>Does the stream seem to be stopping, or did we just pop the bubble, so to speak?
-
>Good thing we were wearing a swimsuit, then!
>Check the other bubbles to see if there's anything inside.
>Back away.
>Does the stream seem to be stopping, or did we just pop the bubble, so to speak?
> You utter a silent thanks to Kourin and back away from the flow. The stream seems to be slowing down. It might just be taking it a while to stop.
> You float to another bubble and take a good long look at its contents. There seem to be some fish inside.
> One of those slippery-looking grey fish you saw in Koishi's book--a dolphin, you think--practically flies to the edge of the bubble and gives you a kiss.
> _
-
>
Establish deep emotional connection.
>Ponder the viability of putting this thing in our sleeves - if that book was right, these things are mammals and thus they'll be fine out of the water. [Means we can take it to Satori for a talk rather than the other way around.]
-
>Establish deep emotional connection.
>Ponder the viability of putting this thing in our sleeves - if that book was right, these things are mammals and thus they'll be fine out of the water. [Means we can take it to Satori for a talk rather than the other way around.]
> You adopt the dolphin as your trusty sidekick.
> You wonder if you can take the dolphin underground with you. Satori would know what it's thinking, and she wouldn't have to go to the surface.
> _
-
>"Hey! What's you do that for?"
-
>"Looks pretty boring stuck up here in the middle of nowhere. Wanna come look around with me?"
>I can show you the world... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kl4hJ4j48s)
-
>"Hey! What's you do that for?"
> The dolphin squeals and sticks its head back in the bubble.
>"Looks pretty boring stuck up here in the middle of nowhere. Wanna come look around with me?"
>I can show you the world... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kl4hJ4j48s)
> The dolphin swims in circles around the edge of the bubble. You're not sure if it understands you, but it's not leaving, at least.
> _
-
"I'm talking to you, squeaky!"
-
"I'm talking to you, squeaky!"
> The dolphin makes more squealing noises and swims over to you.
> _
-
>"Huh. You kinda understand what I'm saying, don't you? Can you tell me where you're from?"
-
>"Huh. You kinda understand what I'm saying, don't you? Can you tell me where you're from?"
> The dolphin makes some clicking sounds and does a back flip.
> _
-
>"Hey! Kogasa! Come get a look at this thing!"
-
>"Hey! Kogasa! Come get a look at this thing!"
> The karakasa flies over from where she was observing a water bubble and hovers a few feet away.
> "You remembered my na--" She stops short when she sees the dolphin. "...Whoa."
> _
-
>Observe the two interacting for a moment.
-
>Observe the two interacting for a moment.
> You watch as the karakasa slowly hides underneath her umbrella...before popping out again in an attempt to surprise the dolphin. The dolphin appears unaffected.
> "Aw, man..."
> _
-
>"Hey, you're pretty strong, right? Since you're an youkai and all?"
-
>"Hey, you're pretty strong, right? Since you're an youkai and all?"
> "Yeah." The karakasa leans on her umbrella. "Why?"
> _
-
> Point at the dolphin. "We're gonna take her to someone to ask her questions. So you kinda need to carry her."
-
> Point at the dolphin. "We're gonna take her to someone to ask her questions. So you kinda need to carry her."
> The karakasa's jaw drops.
> "Wh-wwhaaat? Ohh...I'll see what I can do."
> _
-
>Carefully attempt to extract the dolphin and hand it to Kogasa.
>Also - how much control do we have over our sleeve hammerspace? Would it be possible to fill a portion of it with water, and then place the dolphin in that portion?
-
Wait, we have enough sleeve room to hold an entire dolphin? Man, I completely missed that. Must have come up while I was at a con.
EDIT: Can I get a link to the post(s?) where it came up? Manuall threadsearching is not exactly feasible while on my phone at work.
-
EDIT: Can I get a link to the post(s?) where it came up? Manuall threadsearching is not exactly feasible while on my phone at work.
> Detached sleeves
> Where you keep all of your items. For some reason, they have a functioning hammerspace which you suspect is Yukari's doing.
And later on when we bought from Kourindou's:
> Of course. You could fit a chair in your sleeves if you wanted.
-
Nifty. In that case, it might be worth stuffing Kogasa in there too, in case we need someone to keep the dolphin calm. (And so no one sees us cavorting with a low-level nuisance.)
-
Will Kogasa be okay with that? She might be able to break out from the Sleeve Dimension and wreck our inventory while she's at it.
-
Just tell her that we want her to be a surprise up our sleeve. Our hidden ace card.
-
Kogasa doesn't seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed. It shouldn't be hard conveying the importance of this mission, particularly in terms of helping Sanae.
EDIT: There is also that, which is far more genius than anything I've said.
-
Though I guess it's at least worth asking this beforehand.
> Hold off on extricating the dolphin for the time being.
> How compatible is sentient life with our sleeve hammerspace?
I'm thinking it might be better to be sure we can do this AND get Kogasa on board with it before we accidentally suffocate the dolphin.
-
> Hold off on extricating the dolphin for the time being.
> How compatible is sentient life with our sleeve hammerspace?
> You decide not to add the dolphin to your inventory immediately, and weigh your options. You could take the dolphin to Satori, but you've never carried sentient life in our sleeves before. You don't know how this sudden change in environment would affect a creature, especially one that seems so happy completely submerged in water.
> _
-
> How much control do we have over our sleeve hammerspace? Would it be possible to fill a portion of it with water, and then place the dolphin in that portion?
If this is possible, then I think we should approach Kogasa about it.
-
> How much control do we have over our sleeve hammerspace? Would it be possible to fill a portion of it with water, and then place the dolphin in that portion?
> If you were to carry water in your sleeve hammerspace, you'd have to keep it in a container. Otherwise, it'd get all over the place and ruin your things.
> _
-
Hrm.
> Current sleevespace inventory
> If we added water to the sleevespace, would the entire space be filled with that water, or just the 'bottom' of the space, leaving normal 'air' above the water?
> If we added water to the sleevespace, would holding it get our sleeves soaked? Presumably they'd get a little wet just from the process of dumping the water in, we're concerned with what happens after that.
Modified proposal: Have Kogasa carry our stuff while she's watching the dolphin.
-
I am thinking that Kogasa porting around a dolphin is max hilarity, myself.
Also they breath air, so suffocation isn't a real worry. We'd just have to wet it down every so often.
-
Wait, are we even wearing our sleeves right now? The last bathing suit doodle didn't have them.
-
> Current sleevespace inventory
> If we added water to the sleevespace, would the entire space be filled with that water, or just the 'bottom' of the space, leaving normal 'air' above the water?
> If we added water to the sleevespace, would holding it get our sleeves soaked? Presumably they'd get a little wet just from the process of dumping the water in, we're concerned with what happens after that.
> INVENTORY
> Modern shrine maiden robes
> Pretty much a highly stylized schoolgirl uniform. Complete with cute little shoes, ankle socks, and hair decs.
> Detached sleeves
> Where you keep all of your items. For some reason, they have a functioning hammerspace which you suspect is Yukari's doing.
> Swimsuit [CURRENTLY EQUIPPED]
> Made by Kourin, for you, to navigate the waters easier.
> Yin yang orb
> Your signature weapon.
> You're the only one who can touch it without either burning yourself (human) or suffering excruciating pain (youkai).
> Gohei
> Marisa jokes that it's like a magic wand, but you refuse to be associated with Gensokyo's magician population.
> Spellcards
> Dream Sign "Evil Sealing Circle" (4 hits)
> Used to overwhelm adversaries with ofuda. +5 damage
> Divine Spirit "Fantasy Seal" (4 hits)
> Used to close in on adversaries with ofuda. +5 damage
> Holy Relic "Yin-Yang Demon God Orb" (3 hits)
> Smite thy enemies with a giant orb. Surprisingly light lifting. +6 damage
> Divine Arts "Omnidirectional Demon-Binding Circle" (5 hits)
> Used to paralyze adveraries. +7 damage
> May also be used outside of battle to temporarily stun adversaries.
*> Untitled "Flying Mysterious Shrine Maiden" (1 hit)
> Powerful card that can only be used when you are close to unconsciousness or death. +10 damage
*> "Fantasy Nature" (1 hit)
> Powerful card that can only be used when close to death. +10 damage
> Tea set
> You have a lot more of these in your house.
> You like leaving them in friends'/acquaintances' houses so you can have tea whenever you like.
> Ofuda x10
> Multipurpose magic cards you keep for non-danmaku usage
> Broom
> The shrine broom. Shut up, Marisa.
> Bag of fried beans
> You take these with you whenever you go underground, but you wouldn't dare use them on Suika.
> 1265μ
> It's always a good idea to keep a some money on you.
> Silk Glove x1
> A soft silk glove with lace on the cuff, clearly a glove of wealth and taste. Belongs to Yakumo Yukari.
> 2/8 Shard
> A mysterious bronze shard that gives off a warm glow. What exactly is it, and where did it come from? You have no idea.
> Tea Set x1
> A tea set with red roses painted on it. The packaging claims that any tea served with this set will have healing properties.
> Bag of marbles x1
> A bag of magic marbles that can be used to spy on people, as long as you have the largest one with you.
> Jar of Beads x1
> A jar filled with beads of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
> Inflatable inner tube x1
> For those who can't swim, or are too lazy to.
> Creatures of the Deep
> A book of fantastic underwater animals. Belongs to Komeiji Koishi.
> As long as you have something to contain the water, it shouldn't take up a whole lot of space.
> The water getting your sleeves wet shouldn't happen, though. If your items affected your sleeves like that, you'd have to deal with things like the shards poking holes in your sleeves, and that hasn't happened.
> _
-
> Which of those listed things are presently NOT in our sleevespace?
> Do we have any other pockets?
> What happened to the seccond shard?
We might need to land-transport the dolphin with that much stuff and no container.
-
> Which of those listed things are presently NOT in our sleevespace?
> Do we have any other pockets?
> What happened to the seccond shard?
> The swimsuit, which you are wearing.
> No. There are only sleeves.
> The two shards are right where you left them. You must have miscounted.
> _
-
Like I said, Kogasa carrying the dolphin for us is way funnier, so it should be the proper course of action. She can leave it in random pools when we pause to do things.
>"So...hey, you're a dolphin, right? Wanna come with us? I know someone who can understand you pretty well."
-
> We still have our gohei out, yes?
Is it even possible for her to carry a large squirming creature that far without dropping it?
-
>"So...hey, you're a dolphin, right? Wanna come with us? I know someone who can understand you pretty well."
> The dolphin makes more squeaky noises.
> We still have our gohei out, yes?
> You carry your gohei on your person so often that you usually forget you're holding it. You look down at your hand, and there it is.
> _
-
Youkai are pretty beefy. She can probably at least get it to the ground.
-
But what about while we're way up in the air, like right now?
EDIT: Originally written in a needlessly curt manner due to time constraints. Tried to make it less icy.
-
>Do we have two sleevespaces, or do our two sleeves lead to the same space ze?
-
>Do we have two sleevespaces, or do our two sleeves lead to the same space ze?
> You may access and store items from either sleeve, but they both lead to the same place.
> _
-
Should we put this to a vote?
-
I imagine if we're going to be transporting a dolphin, we'd seek out some lower altitudes to minimize winds and stuff that can get in the way. Thinking on it, I dunno if it can keep up with fliers if we tossed it into a river or summat.
Edit: Votes are cool.
-
Why a vote? From what I can tell the question is plausibility rather than opinion. It's not "Should Kogasa carry the dolphin?" as much as "CAN Kogasa carry the dolphin?". We should probably try and clarify that first. [Though if we do votes my answer should be obvious. >.>]
>"Kogasa, in all honesty - do you think you can carry this thing?"
-
>"Kogasa, in all honesty - do you think you can carry this thing?"
> The karakasa, who is now petting the dolphin, glances over at you.
> "That depends on how much it wiggles around."
> _
-
>Look at the dolphin. "If we take you out of there, are you going to stay still and behave?"
-
I suggested a vote because my desired direction is admittedly partially fueled by self-amusement (I have a personal CYOA goal of jamming as many NPCs into the PC's clothes while the PC is stilll wearing them as I possibly can). I also happen to think it the least impractical solution, but practicality is not my only motivation, and I don't want to barge into a game and force a silly course of action if other more active players want to try something different.
(I would request the conversation that convinces Kogasa to get in our sleeve if it comes to that, though.)
-
(I have a personal CYOA goal of jamming as many NPCs into the PC's clothes while the PC is stilll wearing them as I possibly can)
I am curious as to how many times you've managed to do this.
-
Immediate recollection is once, when I jammed Shuuei under Iku's skirt. There might be more.
-
>Look at the dolphin. "If we take you out of there, are you going to stay still and behave?"
> The dolphin squeals in what you assume is excitement.
> _
-
I'd say that's the dolphin's way of voting yes.
>"Kogasa, if you want to play it safe, you can hide in my sleeves. Means if you drop it it's not gonna fall too far."
-
Man, no panache to the delivery at all. :C
> "And yes, I'm being totally serious."
> Put our gohei away into our sleeve to demonstrate.
-
>"Kogasa, if you want to play it safe, you can hide in my sleeves. Means if you drop it it's not gonna fall too far."
> "And yes, I'm being totally serious."
> Put our gohei away into our sleeve to demonstrate.
> Kogasa raises an eyebrow and frowns. "Well...I'm honestly a little skeptical about this, but if you say so."
> _
-
Reimu is all about functionality in her
threats firm suggestions to youkai.
-
> "Do you want to try it now on your own, before the dolphin gets involved and things get more complicated?"
-
Panache may have been the wrong word. I wrote those previous two posts in a hurry. It's more that I've found that the best way to get someone to do something unorthodox (if not outright bizarre, like this) is to explain what the needs are and act sympathetic to the craziness of the suggestion before actually making it. Coming right out with it makes us seem like we haven't thought it through and are suggesting it because we're weird.
Of course, it seems to havd worked out okay in this case, and an argument could be made as to how much Reimu actually thinks solutions through, but still.
-
> "Do you want to try it now on your own, before the dolphin gets involved and things get more complicated?"
> The karakasa shrugs. "Better safe than sorry."
> _
-
> Nod and hold up our left arm a bit, so the sleeve is dangling a bit and the opening is more or less pointed at Kogasa.
> "Okay. Come over here and try to get inside here. I'll help you along with my other hand. If you see a yin-yang orb in there, don't touch it, it'll hurt."
> Once Kogasa is next to us and trying to get into our sleeve, gently grab her by the back of her shirt and help her along in.
-
> Nod and hold up our left arm a bit, so the sleeve is dangling a bit and the opening is more or less pointed at Kogasa.
> "Okay. Come over here and try to get inside here. I'll help you along with my other hand. If you see a yin-yang orb in there, don't touch it, it'll hurt."
> Once Kogasa is next to us and trying to get into our sleeve, gently grab her by the back of her shirt and help her along in.
> The karakasa nods and approaches the sleeve like it's going to bite her. She folds up her umbrella and pushes it in first, before crawling the rest of the way in. You help her the rest of the way in with your free hand.
> Obtained: Tatara Kogasa
> The karakasa youkai from the Kochiya Shrine. You don't own her, you're just carrying her around with you.
> _
-
>Call into sleeve "Hey, can you hear me in there?"
-
> Flap our arms a bit and see if we get a reaction.
-
>Call into sleeve "Hey, can you hear me in there?"
> "Yes!" Kogasa calls back.
> Flap our arms a bit and see if we get a reaction.
> You flap your arms. This doesn't seem to do anything to Kogasa.
> _
-
>"What's it like in there?"
-
>"What's it like in there?"
> "Really weird," Kogasa says. "The floor and walls are made of wood. It's like I'm in a box or something."
> _
-
> Wood? We dodged a bullet on not doing the water thing.
> "You think there's enough space for you and the dolphin? I'll need you to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't panic or wreck my stuff."
-
>"And let me know when you're ready to come out."
-
> Wood? We dodged a bullet on not doing the water thing.
> "You think there's enough space for you and the dolphin? I'll need you to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't panic or wreck my stuff."
> Water would have been a bad idea...
> "Yeah. It's pretty big in here."
>"And let me know when you're ready to come out."
> "Okay..."
> _
-
> "Hmm. As long as we're visiting Satori, I wonder if Suwako would let us borrow Sanae. Maybe Satori could tell us if she's dreaming about anything. Might be a hint as to why she's glowing."
When Kogasa's ready to come out, we should have her try to do it on her own, to see if that's possible.
-
> "Hmm. As long as we're visiting Satori, I wonder if Suwako would let us borrow Sanae. Maybe Satori could tell us if she's dreaming about anything. Might be a hint as to why she's glowing."
> "If you guaranteed she'd stay safe, probably," Kogasa says. "Can I come out now?"
> _
-
> Where is Kogasa's voice coming from?
> "Yeah. Let's try something with that. Can you try to get out on your own?"
-
> Where is Kogasa's voice coming from?
> "Yeah. Let's try something with that. Can you try to get out on your own?"
> Your sleeve, of course.
> "I'll try."
> Kogasa goes silent for a few moments, and then you feel her clawing at the fabric inside your sleeve.
> "Urgh!" She worms her way out of your sleeve clutching her umbrella, which she opens the moment she's out. She hovers midair, smoothing out the wrinkles in her clothes.
> _
-
> Which sleeve was her voice coming from?
> "You okay? Hope that wasn't too rough an ordeal for you, since we'll be doing it again soon."
-
> Which sleeve was her voice coming from?
> "You okay? Hope that wasn't too rough an ordeal for you, since we'll be doing it again soon."
> Your right sleeve.
> "I'm fine," Kogasa says. "That was certainly...a surprise."
> _
-
> Frown.
> "Don't get any ideas. If I catch you in there without my permission, you might just end up there forever."
-
> Frown.
> "Don't get any ideas. If I catch you in there without my permission, you might just end up there forever."
> Kogasa gulps and grips the handle of her umbrella a bit tighter.
> _
-
> "But hey, I'm sure we can work out some fun for you to have today. It's the least I can do for you being my guinea pig."
-
> "But hey, I'm sure we can work out some fun for you to have today. It's the least I can do for you being my guinea pig."
> Kogasa twirls her umbrella around. "What kind of fun?"
> _
-
> "In your case?"
> Point at a sleeve opening.
> "You've got a new hidey-hole for a while. I'm sure you'll have the chance to scare the crap out of some people. No one would ever see you coming from here."
-
> "In your case?"
> Point at a sleeve opening.
> "You've got a new hidey-hole for a while. I'm sure you'll have the chance to scare the crap out of some people. No one would ever see you coming from here."
> Kogasa looks at your sleeve, and cracks a grin so wide you think it's going to go off her face.
> _
-
> Roll our eyes.
> "Just don't make me regret this."
> Gesture to the dolphin.
> "Ready to pack our friend away?"
-
> Roll our eyes.
> "Just don't make me regret this."
> Gesture to the dolphin.
> "Ready to pack our friend away?"
> Kogasa nods. "Got it! I just have to grab the dolphin right?"
> _
-
> "Yup. Don't get too wet."
-
> "Yup. Don't get too wet."
> "I don't mind water," Kogasa says. She reaches into the bubble and makes a grab for the dolphin. Everything's going fine at first, but when she grabs the dolphin's fins it starts thrashing around, splashing water on everybody. Kogasa nearly drops her umbrella trying to pull the dolphin out.
> After many minutes and a lot of struggling, a soaking wet Kogasa is holding the dolphin in her arms.
> "This thing's heavy," Kogasa grunts.
> _
-
> Soaking wet, son of a...
> Well, nothing for it. Pull down the bottom of our left sleeve to open it up.
> "Quick, get it in!"
-
> Soaking wet, son of a...
> Well, nothing for it. Pull down the bottom of our left sleeve to open it up.
> "Quick, get it in!"
> Oh, for god's sake.
> Kogasa races forward and shoves the dolphin through the opening of your sleeve. She quickly follows, kicking her feet to propel herself forward.
> Obtained: Dolphin
> A strange aquatic animal. You've never seen one before today.
> _
-
> Shove Kogasa's feet in with our free hand if they're still outside the sleeve.
> "Don't let it touch the yin-yang orb either!"
-
> Shove Kogasa's feet in with our free hand if they're still outside the sleeve.
> "Don't let it touch the yin-yang orb either!"
> There's no need--she's already in.
> "Okay!" you hear Kogasa say from inside your sleevespace.
> _
-
> Wring out any wet parts of our sleeve from where it got touched by Kogasa and/or the dolphin.
> "Gonna head off now. Brace for the ride if you need to."
So do we want to stop off at the Moriya Shrine to obtain Sanae and bring her to Satori too, or should we just go straight underground?
-
> Wring out any wet parts of our sleeve from where it got touched by Kogasa and/or the dolphin.
> "Gonna head off now. Brace for the ride if you need to."
> You wring out your entire sleeve and warn Kogasa of your imminent departure.
> "Okay."
> _
-
>"How's Squeaky taking it in there?"
-
> How long away is the Moriya Shrine?
> How long away is the Earth Spirit Palace?
-
>"How's Squeaky taking it in there?"
> "Um, it's just laying really still. I think it's still alive, though."
> How long away is the Moriya Shrine?
> How long away is the Earth Spirit Palace?
> The Moriya Shrine is maybe 20 to 30 minutes away. The Palace of the Earth Spirits is farther.
> _
-
> If we went to the Moriya Shrine from here, we would be moving toward or away from the Underground?
-
>"Just pat her belly or something. Dogs like that, right? It's probably the same here."
>How much of a detour is Moriya Shrine on the way to the Ancient City.
>Do we know where that reactor tunnel opens up on the surface?
-
> If we went to the Moriya Shrine from here, we would be moving toward or away from the Underground?
> You'd be moving away from the Underground: you're higher up than the waterfall.
>"Just pat her belly or something. Dogs like that, right? It's probably the same here."
>How much of a detour is Moriya Shrine on the way to the Ancient City.
>Do we know where that reactor tunnel opens up on the surface?
> "O-okay. Her skin feels rubbery and weird," Kogasa frets.
> Going to the Moriya Shrine would be a pretty big detour.
> You don't know where the reactor's emergency exit leads to.
> _
-
> "We're gonna head back to the mountain. Keep me posted on its condition."
> Begin our flight back toward the Moriya Shrine mountain.
-
> "We're gonna head back to the mountain. Keep me posted on its condition."
> Begin our flight back toward the Moriya Shrine mountain.
> "I will."
> You set off towards the Moriya Shrine.
> Kogasa's reports about the dolphin's condition are mostly about how slippery it feels, how weird it looks especially out of water, but as you're getting closer to the shrine she starts to sound worried.
> "Um, Reimu? The dolphin feels kind of dry...isn't this bad for her?"
> _
-
>"Maybe."
>Look for some good floodwater to dump it into.
-
>"Maybe."
>Look for some good floodwater to dump it into.
> You look below you for a source of water to put the dolphin in, but you see nothing but trees. There's no floodwater this high up the mountain.
> _
-
> Where's the river from the waterfall?
-
> Where's the river from the waterfall?
> You don't see it. It must end somewhere towards the peak; it can't go on forever, after all.
> "Reimu..."
> _
-
>Bolt for Suwako's pond. We will show the tengu how speed is done.
-
>Bolt for Suwako's pond. We will show the tengu how speed is done.
> You fly top-speed up the rest of the mountain, over the shrine, and into the backyard where Suwako's pond is. You stop right at the edge of the pristine water and hope any tengu watching was taking notes.
> _
-
> Is Suwako in the pond right now?
-
>Regardless of whether she is: "Here's a pond, go!"
>Angle sleeve toward the pond
-
>In hindsight, would it have been possible for us to just put the entire water bubble in our sleeve? Because that might have made things a lot easier.
-
Yes, but there is the issue of carrying all of our stuff without it getting wet. We didn't get that wicker basket after all.
-
I figured since the bubble floated on its own it might have worked =[
-
> Better yet , while angling our sleeve toward the pond, reach into it an grab the dolphin, then fling it out into the pond. Use the same hand to catch Kogasa from also falling in if necessary.
-
> Is Suwako in the pond right now?
> She's at the Kochiya Shrine with Sanae right now.
>Regardless of whether she is: "Here's a pond, go!"
>Angle sleeve toward the pond
> Better yet , while angling our sleeve toward the pond, reach into it an grab the dolphin, then fling it out into the pond. Use the same hand to catch Kogasa from also falling in if necessary.
> You point your sleeve at the pond, and Kogasa and the dolphin come sliding out seconds later. You push out the dolphin and catch Kogasa by the collar before she can fall into the water, too..
> The dolphin swims in circles, chirping and surfacing every few seconds to spit water at you. The commotion draws a handful of curious youkai over to the pond to see what's happening.
> _
-
> Stuff Kogasa back in the sleeve before anyone notices her.
-
> Stuff Kogasa back in the sleeve before anyone notices her.
> You shove Kogasa back into your sleeve as quickly as she came out with the dolphin. A couple of tengu might have noticed because they're staring at you, but that could also be because of the dolphin.
> _
-
> Is there a secluded area away from the pond where we can talk to our sleeve without being bothered?
-
> Is there a secluded area away from the pond where we can talk to our sleeve without being bothered?
> No. Not outside, at least.
> _
-
>"Don't worry, it's just some fish I found. Nothing to see here."
>Make some effort to graze those water spits, if only out of habit.
-
> "I'll be back for it soon."
> Assuming no one tries to stop us, head down the mountain toward Sanae's shrine.
> Once we're out of earshot of the crowd but before we reach Sanae's shrine, raise a sleeve opening to near our mouth and lower our voice.
> "Sorry for the rough treatment. I didn't want anyone to see you."
-
>"Don't worry, it's just some fish I found. Nothing to see here."
>Make some effort to graze those water spits, if only out of habit.
> Most of the youkai wander away, but a few linger near the pond at a safe distance.
> You graze the water spits and rack up mad points. Yeah!
> "I'll be back for it soon."
> Assuming no one tries to stop us, head down the mountain toward Sanae's shrine.
> Once we're out of earshot of the crowd but before we reach Sanae's shrine, raise a sleeve opening to near our mouth and lower our voice.
> "Sorry for the rough treatment. I didn't want anyone to see you."
> None of the youkai are causing any trouble, so you leave and make your way back to the Kochiya Shrine. When you're about halfway there, you whisper to Kogasa through your sleeve. You see the top of her head and her eyes, peering over the fabric of your sleeve.
> "My umbrella's still in one piece, so it's fine. I guess," Kogasa says.
> _
-
> Nod.
> "Okay. I'm gonna go ask Suwako if I can borrow Sanae and a tub. You should stay out of sight, but near the entrance to my sleeve. When she asks about how I'm gonna carry them around, I'll say that you're gonna help me. Once I say that, you can jump out. You'll get a surprised goddess and I'll get a demonstration that shows what I can carry. Sound good?"
-
> Nod.
> "Okay. I'm gonna go ask Suwako if I can borrow Sanae and a tub. You should stay out of sight, but near the entrance to my sleeve. When she asks about how I'm gonna carry them around, I'll say that you're gonna help me. Once I say that, you can jump out. You'll get a surprised goddess and I'll get a demonstration that shows what I can carry. Sound good?"
> You explain your plan to Kogasa. When you're finished, you see her head bob up and down. "Yeah. Yeah, I got it."
> _
-
> "Good. Get yourself ready, we're going in."
> Continue on to the shrine.
-
> "Good. Get yourself ready, we're going in."
> Continue on to the shrine.
> Kogasa nods and disappears back into your sleeve.
> You make the rest of the flight to the shrine. Not much as changed in the short time you were gone.
> _
-
> Head inside and make for Sanae's room.
-
> Head inside and make for Sanae's room.
> You enter the shrine and retrace your steps to Sanae's room. You find that Suwako is still in there, using a fine tooth comb to brush Sanae's hair. She stops when she notices you.
> "Ah, there you are."
> _
-
> "Here I am. Got a large favor to ask of you."
-
> "Here I am. Got a large favor to ask of you."
> Suwako turns around from where she's crouched on the ground, and rests her arms on her knees.
> "What can I do for you?" she asks.
> _
-
> "I'd like to borrow a couple of things, in the interest of investigation. The main thing is, well, less a thing and more a person."
> Point at Sanae.
> "I'd like to take her with me, if possible. I promise she'll stay safe."
-
> "I'd like to borrow a couple of things, in the interest of investigation. The main thing is, well, less a thing and more a person."
> Point at Sanae.
> "I'd like to take her with me, if possible. I promise she'll stay safe."
> Suwako chews her lip. "That's all well and good if you're going to keep her safe, but exactly would you be taking her? And for that matter, how?"
> _
-
> There's a word missing from the first question. Is Suwako asking about 'where' or 'why'?
> Gesture toward Sanae with one arm - preferably the arm with the sleeve Kogasa's head was poking out of earlier - while holding our other hand akimbo on our hip.
> "'How' isn't a problem. I have Kogasa to help me with that."
-
>"How's that accessory doing, by the way?"
-
> There's a word missing from the first question. Is Suwako asking about 'where' or 'why'?
> Gesture toward Sanae with one arm - preferably the arm with the sleeve Kogasa's head was poking out of earlier - while holding our other hand akimbo on our hip.
> "'How' isn't a problem. I have Kogasa to help me with that."
> Where.
> You gesture towards Sanae, giving Kogasa the perfect opportunity.
> "Oh, is s--"
> "SURPRISE!" Kogasa pops out of your sleeve and throws her arms in the air. Suwako ribbits loudly and nearly knocks over Sanae's offerings.
>"How's that accessory doing, by the way?"
> "I--wha--I finished it already," Suwako stammers. Kogasa giggles uncontrollably.
> _
-
> Wave the arm Kogasa came out of around a bit.
> "Perfect transportation system for Sleeping Beauties. You could even join her if you wanted."
-
> Wave the arm Kogasa came out of around a bit.
> "Perfect transportation system for Sleeping Beauties. You could even join her if you wanted."
> Suwako frowns a bit at the offending sleeve.
> "She'll be fine with you. I'll pass. So, where exactly are you taking her again?"
> _
-
> "In general, I want her around if I run across more of those shiny shards, since she's related to them somehow. In particular, I'm headed in the direction of the Underground, and I'm wondering if it might be worth having Satori check on her."
-
> "In general, I want her around if I run across more of those shiny shards, since she's related to them somehow. In particular, I'm headed in the direction of the Underground, and I'm wondering if it might be worth having Satori check on her."
> "Hm..." Suwako leans her head from side to side. "As long as you don't take her near the city while she's like that, then I'm fine with it."
> _
-
>"Why not? No one's going to know she's there unless I want them to know."
-
> "And nothing gets in there without getting past me."
-
>"Why not? No one's going to know she's there unless I want them to know."
> "And nothing gets in there without getting past me."
> Suwako pulls at her sleeves, then lets her arms hang in front of her. "She's still nearly indistinguishable from a human; some oni might try and kidnap her. I'm holding you to your word."
> _
-
> Gesture at the sleeve hole.
> "You can see what it's like for yourself, just to be sure. Or take Kogasa's word for what it's like, since she just spent the last half hour in there."
-
> Gesture at the sleeve hole.
> "You can see what it's like for yourself, just to be sure. Or take Kogasa's word for what it's like, since she just spent the last half hour in there."
> Suwako hops forward and looks into your sleeve.
> "Ahh." Her eyes widen.
> _
-
> How big is Sanae's bed?
> "Yep. Send her in with a futon or something and she'll be fine."
-
> How big is Sanae's bed?
> "Yep. Send her in with a futon or something and she'll be fine."
> You'd guess it has a diameter of a few feet. It's definitely bigger than your futon.
> Suwako bounces away from you. "Then there shouldn't be any problem. You may take her with you."
> "Woohoo!" Kogasa pumps her fist in the air.
> _
-
> Could we get her bed in the sleeve, or is it too big to fit in the fabric entrance?
> Nod.
> "Thanks. The other thing I need to borrow is a tub, or large basin, or something that can hold a fair amount of water. We have aquatic life we need to bring underground."
-
>"About this big."
>Spread hands to about the dolphin's size.
-
> Could we get her bed in the sleeve, or is it too big to fit in the fabric entrance?
> Nod.
> "Thanks. The other thing I need to borrow is a tub, or large basin, or something that can hold a fair amount of water. We have aquatic life we need to bring underground."
> It would certainly be a challenge getting that through your sleeve.
> "That could easily be arranged," says the frog goddess.
>"About this big."
>Spread hands to about the dolphin's size.
> You spread your arms as far as they will go.
> Suwako blinks in surprise. "That big? Maybe I could convince the tengu to do something..."
> _
-
> "It would be appreciated. It was a very close call just getting here."
> Frown while studying Sanae's bed.
> "And it'd give me some time to figure out if I can work that entire thing into one of these suckers."
-
> "It would be appreciated. It was a very close call just getting here."
> Frown while studying Sanae's bed.
> "And it'd give me some time to figure out if I can work that entire thing into one of these suckers."
> This will give you some time to gauge just what you can fit into your sleeves, in any case. Looking at Sanae's bed, you'll have to clear off all those flowers and possible all the bedding at the very least, but even then that might not be enough.
> Suwako nods. "Very well, then. I'll be off to round up the tengu."
> She hops past you and towards the door.
> _
-
> "Is there a spare futon somewhere if I can't manage the bed?"
-
> "Is there a spare futon somewhere if I can't manage the bed?"
> "I can get one from the guest rooms," Kogasa says.
> _
-
> Nod.
> "Yeah, let's just do that. The more I look at this the less confident I am at getting all of that in."
-
> Nod.
> "Yeah, let's just do that. The more I look at this the less confident I am at getting all of that in."
> "Ok. Be right back!"
> Kogasa runs out of the room. It's just you and Sanae now.
> _
-
>"Wait a sec ..."
>Insert coin.
>Plug controller into port 2.
>Press 2p Start.
-
> Take our yin-yang orb out and place it gently in the ground. No sense in leaving that there and risking our passengers running into it by accident. Once everyone's in we can put it back.
> Is there a clear path to drag Sanae off the bed, or will we need to clear the bed first?
-
>"Wait a sec ..."
>Insert coin.
>Plug controller into port 2.
>Press 2p Start.
> You perform a series of mental gymnastics. Sanae doesn't even stir.
> Take our yin-yang orb out and place it gently in the ground. No sense in leaving that there and risking our passengers running into it by accident. Once everyone's in we can put it back.
> Is there a clear path to drag Sanae off the bed, or will we need to clear the bed first?
> You set the yin-yang orb on the ground a safe distance away from Sanae's bed. You could pull her off without any problem if you didn't care about the flowers getting everywhere. You could easily carry her over or around the offerings.
> _
-
> Let's get into position to carry her out of the bed over the offerings, then, and wait for Kogasa to return.
-
> Let's get into position to carry her out of the bed over the offerings, then, and wait for Kogasa to return.
> You walk over to the edge of Sanae's bed and get ready to lift her off.
> Five minutes later, Kogasa reappears dragging a futon behind her.
> "Here I am!" she calls as she enters the room.
> _
-
> Could we climb onto the bed without disturbing any of the things that are not Sanae?
> If not, could we at least reach out at Sanae without reaching over anything of the flowers or offerings?
-
> Could we climb onto the bed without disturbing any of the things that are not Sanae?
> If not, could we at least reach out at Sanae without reaching over anything of the flowers or offerings?
> The worst that would happen is that you'd knock a few flowers to the floor.
> You'd be reaching over the flowers but not the offerings.
> _
-
> Hold am arm out for ease of sleeve access to Kogasa.
> "Great. Hop on in and take that thing with you. Get it ready for her while I get the opening close to her, then you can pop back out and drag her in with you."
-
> Hold am arm out for ease of sleeve access to Kogasa.
> "Great. Hop on in and take that thing with you. Get it ready for her while I get the opening close to her, then you can pop back out and drag her in with you."
> Kogasa nods and jumps into your sleeve, doing her best to drag the futon in with her.
> _
-
> Help the rest of the futon in with our free hand.
> Once it's inside, reach over the flowers on the bed so the opening to the sleeve is next to Sanae.
> "All set out here. Whenever you're ready."
-
> Help the rest of the futon in with our free hand.
> Once it's inside, reach over the flowers on the bed so the opening to the sleeve is next to Sanae.
> "All set out here. Whenever you're ready."
> You push the rest of the futon in, and angle your sleeve towards Sanae. Kogasa's arms reach out and take Sanae by the arms. She pulls the sleeping girl in slowly, until you hear a muffled thump.
> "Phew! Rocky landing," Kogasa says.
> _
-
> "Don't knock her around too much. Yin-yang orb's going back in."
> Retrieve our yin-yang orb from the floor and put it away.
> As an experiment, take off a sleeve and peer inside to see if we can watch Kogasa in action.
-
> As an experiment, take off a sleeve and peer inside to see if we can watch Kogasa in action.
>No! That would be indecently exposing our elbows.
-
> "Don't knock her around too much. Yin-yang orb's going back in."
> Retrieve our yin-yang orb from the floor and put it away.
> As an experiment, take off a sleeve and peer inside to see if we can watch Kogasa in action.
> "Okay."
> You put the yin-yang orb back into your sleeve and hear Kogasa squeak.
> You think about taking off your sleeve and looking into it...
>No! That would be indecently exposing our elbows.
> ...but decide against it.
> _
-
> Then let's just peek inside without taking it off. Probably better that way anyway.
-
> Then let's just peek inside without taking it off. Probably better that way anyway.
> You take a peek inside your sleeve.
> Kogasa is tucking Sanae into the futon. The yin-yang orb is sitting a few feet away.
> _
-
> Is there enough room in there for a large water container for the dolphin?
> Watch Kogasa finish with Sanae.
-
> Is there enough room in there for a large water container for the dolphin?
> Watch Kogasa finish with Sanae.
> There should be.
> You continue watching Kogasa. All seems to be going well, when you notice the yin-yang orb lurch forward and smack Kogasa on the head. As she slumps over, it continues to ricochet off the walls of your inventory, hitting both Kogasa and Sanae repeatedly. This causes Sanae to roll out of the futon and away from Kogasa, where she lays on her side.
> _
-
> "Son of a-!"
> Pull the sleeve away from our face and pull the yin-yang orb out of there.
> Did it just go crazy on its own?
-
> "Son of a-!"
> Pull the sleeve away from our face and pull the yin-yang orb out of there.
> Did it just go crazy on its own?
> You almost swear and quickly extract the yin-yang orb before it can hit you, too. It flies out of your hand and crashes into the bed, rendering it to splinters, before smashing into the wall.
> It did. It was perfectly still just a moment ago.
> _
-
> Has this ever happened before?
> Chase after it!
-
> Has this ever happened before?
> Chase after it!
> Way, way back before spell cards, when you were still getting the hang of using the yin-yang orb in battle, it would bounce around like this and you'd have to kick it around to make it do what you wanted. This is what it reminds you of as you chase after it, trying to catch it before it can do any more damage. As long as it doesn't go out the door, you should be able to catch it.
> _
-
> Get ready to give it a good beating when we catch it, then. We can't have it thrashing around in our guests' new home!
-
> Get ready to give it a good beating when we catch it, then. We can't have it thrashing around in our guests' new home!
> This thing's going down.
> The yin-yang orb rockets upwards and gets tangled in the gauze decorating the ceiling.
> _
-
> Perfect opportunity. Get it now!
> Be sure to use both hands to keep it secure and prevent it from shooting off again.
Sorry about inadvertently setting off HRtP 2, everyone.
-
>Should we hit it with the gohei?
-
>Begin to plan thought-out explanation to Suwako about why Sanae's personal room is now trashed beyond recognition.
>Decide not to go for that and instead blame it all on Kogasa.
-
> Perfect opportunity. Get it now!
> Be sure to use both hands to keep it secure and prevent it from shooting off again.
> You reach out and grab it. The second you touch it, it goes perfectly still.
>Should we hit it with the gohei?
> You'd rather not. The last thing the yin-yang orb needs is more propulsion.
>Begin to plan thought-out explanation to Suwako about why Sanae's personal room is now trashed beyond recognition.
>Decide not to go for that and instead blame it all on Kogasa.
> You try to think of how you're going to explain this to Suwako, but midway through coming up with a plan you give up and decide to blame it on Kogasa instead.
> _
-
> Assess damage to the room. Anything we can immediately fix?
> Peek inside a sleeve and check the condition of its two newest inhabitants.
-
> Assess damage to the room. Anything we can immediately fix?
> Peek inside a sleeve and check the condition of its two newest inhabitants.
> You look around. Parts of the wall and floor have been smashed and the bed is beyond repair, but none of the offerings seem broken.
> You look inside your sleeve again. Neither of them are moving, but you hear Kogasa whimpering.
> _
-
> Are we of any use as a healer?
-
>"Sorry about that. The Hakurei Orb is really powerful, and somewhat unstable. I guess."
-
> Are we of any use as a healer?
> No. You don't know any healing spells.
>"Sorry about that. The Hakurei Orb is really powerful, and somewhat unstable. I guess."
> "Urgh...I don't care...get us out..." Kogasa curls in on herself.
> _
-
Damnit. Sorry, everyone.
> Is Sanae completely off the futon? If so, take it out first and lay it out on the floor, then gently remove our two sleevemates one at a time in such a fashion as we deposit them on the futon.
-
> Is Sanae completely off the futon? If so, take it out first and lay it out on the floor, then gently remove our two sleevemates one at a time in such a fashion as we deposit them on the futon.
> She is.
> You take out the futon and spread it on the floor, before carefully extracting Kogasa and Sanae and setting them down on it.
> Both Sanae and Kogasa have what appear to be burn wounds on them. Part of Sanae's skirt has been burnt at the leg to reveal heavy bruising on her ankles, one of which is bent at a slightly awkward angle. Kogasa, being a youkai, is much worse for wear. Parts of her skin look like they're actually sizzling a little, and there is blood matted into her hair. Her umbrella is torn a little, and she's clutching it as tightly as she can.
> As soon as they are out of your sleeve, the yin-yang orb starts vibrating in your hands.
> _
-
> Tighten our grip on the orb, clutch it to our chest, and run out of the room until we are just through the doorway.
> Is the orb known to detect and react to anything?
-
> Tighten our grip on the orb and run out of the room until we are just through the doorway.
> Is the orb known to detect and react to anything?
> You hold the orb tight in your arms and run out of the room.
> The orb reacts like this if it detects something it perceives to be a serious threat to your life. It's not sentient, of course, but rather in-tune with you since you're the only one who uses it. It's simple, but at the same time this defense mechanism isn't something you fully understand. This function saved your life many times in the past, but ever since spell cards have been introduced it's been calm and much like an ordinary ball.
> _
-
> Is it still vibrating?
-
> Is it still vibrating?
> No.
> _
-
> Put it away.
> "Where are the medical supplies?"
-
>Did we have the glowshards and the orb in our sleeves at the same time?
-
> Put it away.
> "Where are the medical supplies?"
> You put the orb away and wonder aloud where the medical supplies are. No one answers you.
>Did we have the glowshards and the orb in our sleeves at the same time?
> Yes.
> _
-
> Run back into the room where Kogasa is to make sure she's still conscious.
-
Damnit. Sorry, everyone.
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm114/Roukanken/youtried.png~original)
>Bring out our magical healing teapot and check if there's tea in it.
-
Oh, that teapot's a thing, isn't it? That makes this much easier.
Hearing the explanation about the orb is a tremendous boon and makes me feel a lot less bad about what happened. Now the worst we need to do to get (mostly) out of this is conjecture instead of risking lying. That thing is clearly reacting to Sanae; I want to know why a comatose shrine maiden is more of a threat to our life than a conscious karakasa with direct access to all of our stuff.
-
> Run back into the room where Kogasa is to make sure she's still conscious.
> You re-enter the room. Kogasa hasn't moved from the futon, but her eye are wide and alert.
>Bring out our magical healing teapot and check if there's tea in it.
> You take out the tea set and look inside the pot. There's nothing in it. Of course Kourin wasn't going to include tea, or it would've been even more expensive.
> _
-
> Do we have the supplies necessary to brew some in the tea set we have on-sleeve?
-
> Do we have the supplies necessary to brew some in the tea set we have on-sleeve?
> You have the tea set, but you have neither the tea leaves nor the hot water nor the whisk if you want to make matcha...
> _
-
>"Hey, is there any tea around here? I can use it to patch you both up."
-
>"Hey, is there any tea around here? I can use it to patch you both up."
> "In the kitchen," Kogasa says between gritted teeth.
> _
-
>Trundle off to the kitchen to nab some.
-
> Do so with some expediency. If we can have at least one of them healed before Suwako gets back, that would be very nice.
-
>Trundle off to the kitchen to nab some.
> Do so with some expediency. If we can have at least one of them healed before Suwako gets back, that would be very nice.
> You leave Sanae and Kogasa and wander off through the hallways until you come across the kitchen, a modest room well-stocked with food and pots and pans hanging on the walls. Rummaging through the cupboards eventually yields a few boxes of sweet-smelling stuff--chamomile, probably. You fill a pot with water and set it on the stove. Almost the minute it starts to whistle you take it off the stove to fill the teapot. It takes an irritatingly long time for it to steep properly, but you'd rather be damned than make a bad pot of tea.
> The teapot now contains a sweet chamomile tea.
> _
-
>Back to Kogasa and friends!
-
>Back to Kogasa and friends!
> Carrying the tea tray carefully, you retrace your steps to Sanae's room. Sanae and Kogasa have still not moved from the futon.
> Kogasa sniffs the air when you enter.
> _
-
>Administer tea to umbrella.
>"Here you go. It's a bit hot, and not my best by far."
-
> Don't actually dump the tea on the umbrella, of course.
-
>Administer tea to umbrella.
>"Here you go. It's a bit hot, and not my best by far."
> Don't actually dump the tea on the umbrella, of course.
>"Th-thanks."
> You almost pour tea on the injured karakasa, but remember at last second to put a cup under the spout. Kogasa takes the cup gingerly in her hands and lifts it to her lips. It's obvious that even this is difficult for her; she hisses in pain the whole while until she's gotten a few sips of tea in her.
> _
-
>"Feel any better?"
-
> Ponder how we're going to serve hot tea to someone who is currently unconscious.
-
Open their mouth, pour a little bit in, close their mouth, and massage their throat. The swallow should happen reflexively.
-
>"Feel any better?"
> Kogasa looks down at her legs. Sure enough, the burns look less severe than they did a few minutes ago.
> "Yeah..."
> Ponder how we're going to serve hot tea to someone who is currently unconscious.
> You wonder how you're going to serve this tea to Sanae. You might be able to tip the contents into her mouth somehow.
> _
-
> "So the orb is under control. I figured out what happened. It's actually worse than expected."
-
>"It didn't do anything while it was just you in there, right?"
-
> "So the orb is under control. I figured out what happened. It's actually worse than expected."
> Kogasa freezes mid-sip.
> "What is it?"
>"It didn't do anything while it was just you in there, right?"
> "No," Kogasa says, and continues to drink her tea. Her umbrella is starting to look less tattered.
> "...You're not blaming this on Sanae, are you?" she asks over her cup.
> _
-
>"Not as such. But I am wondering if Sanae being there made it go off."
-
>So. We need to figure out: what happened to our memory; what happened to Sanae; what the gold and bronze glows are and why they are different; who caused this water thing and why; AND how to fix it all.
>Things were much simpler when we could just beat up random people until the wrongness stopped.
-
> "It has a self-defense mechanism that makes it go nuts. I...think it thinks Sanae is a serious threat to my life. Or perhaps it's whatever is making her sleep, or whatever is making her glow."
-
>"Not as such. But I am wondering if Sanae being there made it go off."
> "So it's still kind of her fault..."
>So. We need to figure out: what happened to our memory; what happened to Sanae; what the gold and bronze glows are and why they are different; who caused this water thing and why; AND how to fix it all.
>Things were much simpler when we could just beat up random people until the wrongness stopped.
> You have at least five different objectives right now, all which may or may not be intertwined. You take a moment to yearn for past incidents, where you solved your problems with danmaku instead of sleuthing.
> "It has a self-defense mechanism that makes it go nuts. I...think it thinks Sanae is a serious threat to my life. Or perhaps it's whatever is making her sleep, or whatever is making her glow."
> Kogasa's jaw drops. "No way! Then, it's gotta be one of those last two things! I know Sanae can be trigger-happy when it comes to danmaku, but she wouldn't actually kill someone, would she...?"
> _
-
>"She's killed me before."
>http://www.gensokyo.org/archives/3044
-
> "Even if it crossed her mind, she's in no position to do anything to any of us. You've been in a far better position to kill me if you really wanted to, but it didn't do a thing around you."
-
Actually, thinking on objectives...
>Quests.
-
>"She's killed me before."
>http://www.gensokyo.org/archives/3044
> "Then how the heck are you here now?!"
> "Even if it crossed her mind, she's in no position to do anything to any of us. You've been in a far better position to kill me if you really wanted to, but it didn't do a thing around you."
> "That's true," Kogasa says to her teacup. She's almost done with it, now. "But you guys are friends, right?"
>Quests.
> You take a look at your recorded quests.
QUESTS:
> Find Seiga
> You've discovered Yoshika floating around in the water missing a hat and an operational ofuda. Better get Seiga to go collect her.
-
>"I'd say ... colleagues? We aren't enemies, and we do help each other from time to time."
>Do we remember staying at the Moriya's when our shrine was destroyed, or helping them perform divine rituals?
>Add some quests to that list.
-
>"I'd say ... colleagues? We aren't enemies, and we do help each other from time to time."
>Do we remember staying at the Moriya's when our shrine was destroyed, or helping them perform divine rituals?
>Add some quests to that list.
> "Really? I thought since you were both shrine maidens..." Kogasa finishes off her tea. "Phew."
> You think back on your relationship with the Moriya Shrine. Your relationships with Kanako and Suwako are spotty, but in general you've been on good terms with Sanae. You've had a few sleepovers before, usually with other people like Marisa present, but you've always kept your shrine work separate.
> You'd like to add to your to-do list, but you'll have to gather your thoughts first and figure out what exactly it is you need to do.
> _
-
> "How're you holding up now? Once you're back to normal, we need to figure out how to get her to swallow some of this stuff."
-
> "How're you holding up now? Once you're back to normal, we need to figure out how to get her to swallow some of this stuff."
> Kogasa tries stretching her legs out, and winces a little.
> "Better than before. Can't you just tip it down her throat or something?"
> _
-
> "I guess one of us could hold her mouth open and the other could pour it. Probably want to let it cool in a cup for a little bit first, though."
> Pour another cup of the healing tea for Sanae.
-
> "I guess one of us could hold her mouth open and the other could pour it. Probably want to let it cool in a cup for a little bit first, though."
> Pour another cup of the healing tea for Sanae.
> "Should we hold her up for this?" Kogasa asks as you pour another cup of tea.
> _
-
>"Yeah, that'd be a good idea."
-
Finally caught up with reading this; great stuff you have going here, Himiko! :D
> Do we know what time of day (or night) it is, by any chance?
-
>"Yeah, that'd be a good idea."
> Kogasa nods and carefully lifts Sanae into a sitting position.
> Do we know what time of day (or night) it is, by any chance?
> Mid-afternoon, if you had to guess.
> _
-
> "If you can open her mouth while keeping her propped up, I'll pour some in."
-
> "If you can open her mouth while keeping her propped up, I'll pour some in."
> "Ok." Kogasa uses one hand to hold Sanae's head, while the other pulls her jaw down. The rest of her body rests against Kogasa's.
> _
-
> Gently pour a little bit of tea into Sanae's mouth. Be careful not to splash it on ourselves or Kogasa's hands.
-
> Gently pour a little bit of tea into Sanae's mouth. Be careful not to splash it on ourselves or Kogasa's hands.
> You pour a bit of tea in Sanae's mouth, and the bruises on her ankles start to fade away.
> _
-
> Give the girl three-to-five seconds to breathe, them pour in a little more.
-
> ...I'm surprised no Youkai have decided to come in and check on Sanae yet. Let's glance around while we're between pours.
i regret nothing if this command triggers Murphy's Law again
-
> Give the girl three-to-five seconds to breathe, them pour in a little more.
> You continue pouring in tea between intervals of a few seconds. She's looking better already.
> ...I'm surprised no Youkai have decided to come in and check on Sanae yet. Let's glance around while we're between pours.
> You look around at the doorways while you're giving Sanae the tea. You neither see nor hear anyone approaching the room. It just might be a slow day at the shrine.
> _
-
> How is her busted ankle?
-
> How is her busted ankle?
> It hasn't healed yet. The tea's effects might not be immediate.
> _
-
> Repeat the process of pouring and waiting until the cup is empty.
-
> Repeat the process of pouring and waiting until the cup is empty.
> You continue feeding the tea to Sanae until the cup's completely empty. Once you've finished, you hear a cracking sound.
> Kogasa shivers. "Eeek, her ankle just snapped back into place..."
> _
-
>Try not to wince at the noise. We're supposed to be a pro.
>Yeesh.
>"Well, better than it not being in place. This tea set is the best thing I ever bought. How's she doing?"
>So many incoming donations~~~~
-
>Try not to wince at the noise. We're supposed to be a pro.
>Yeesh.
>"Well, better than it not being in place. This tea set is the best thing I ever bought. How's she doing?"
>So many incoming donations~~~~
> You try not to cringe. If Sanae were awake, this would be so much worse.
> You express gratitude for the tea set. Kogasa, meanwhile, is looking over Sanae's arms and legs.
> "...She's completely better! It's a miracle," Kogasa concludes.
> Ehehe~ This will definitely motivate the two of them to donate later.
> _
-
> "Yeah, but you two were the easy fixes."
> Look aroun the room at the damage.
> "I wonder if I could get Suika to repair or rebuild this place."
-
> "Yeah, but you two were the easy fixes."
> Look aroun the room at the damage.
> "I wonder if I could get Suika to repair or rebuild this place."
> "Thanks," Kogasa says. She looks around the ruined room with you. "Who's Suika?"
> You think you hear a door opening somewhere.
> _
-
> Turn to look at the doorway.
> "She rebuilt my place the last time it got trashed, and that damage was a lot worse then this."
-
> Turn to look at the doorway.
> "She rebuilt my place the last time it got trashed, and that damage was a lot worse then this."
> "That sounds ni--" Kogasa starts to say, but another voice from out in the hall interrupts her.
> "I'm back!"
> You look to the door. No one has stepped through it yet, but that was definitely Suwako's voice.
> _
-
> "Didja find anything we can use for the dolphin?"
-
> "Didja find anything we can use for the dolphin?"
> "Yeah! I talked with the tengu, and--"
> Suwako enters the room and, upon seeing what has happened to it, stops in her tracks. Her smile fades.
> "...What happened here?" she asks.
> _
-
> "An accident with unpleasant implications. I'm gonna see if I can convince Suika to fix the place up for you."
-
> "An accident with unpleasant implications. I'm gonna see if I can convince Suika to fix the place up for you."
> "What was the accident?" Suwako presses. You see her eyeing Sanae, whose injuries have already been healed. "And thank you."
> _
-
> Stand up (if we aren't already standing) and start walking toward the door.
> "It'll be easier to show you. But we can't do it in this room."
-
>How good are we at block-breaking-style games? or at controlling the Orb with our
magic wand gohei?
-
> Stand up (if we aren't already standing) and start walking toward the door.
> "It'll be easier to show you. But we can't do it in this room."
> "Hmm...okay, then."
> Suwako stands aside to let you past her, and then starts following you out the door.
>How good are we at block-breaking-style games? or at controlling the Orb with our magic wand gohei?
> Pretty good, if you say so yourself. You're a little rusty at using only the yin-yang orb in combat, but it's doable for you.
> _
-
>Close the door, then take out the Orb.
>"This thing went crazy when it was in the same place as Sanae. It didn't react to the yellow shard things, so I'm guessing her glow means something different."
-
> Hold the orb in both hands after taking it out.
-
>Does Gensokyo have sports, such as ----ball, tennis, or wrestling?
-
>Close the door, then take out the Orb.
>"This thing went crazy when it was in the same place as Sanae. It didn't react to the yellow shard things, so I'm guessing her glow means something different."
> Hold the orb in both hands after taking it out.
> Once you and Suwako are out of the room, you take out the yin yang orb and hold it in both hands. It sits perfectly still.
> "Hmm..." Suwako frowns deeply at it. "That's definitely a problem. I'm going to be honest, though, I don't think I'll be able to help you here. I don't know anything about your weapon."
>Does Gensokyo have sports, such as ----ball, tennis, or wrestling?
> Aside from danmaku duels, there are other sports that are popular in Gensokyo. Dodgeball is a popular one for people who don't feel like having a danmaku battle for one reason or another. Soccer is also popular, albeit slightly less so. Stuff like wrestling and cage fighting are almost exclusive to oni. Kappa and other water youkai sometimes swim competitively, or at least that's what Marisa has told you. You imagine there other minor sports here and there, but you've never really been big on that sort of thing.
> _
-
> "That's okay, because I do. It has an inherent self-defense mechanism that makes it go bonkers when it senses a threat. You can see it's still now, while it's right in front of you, and Kogasa spent a half hour up my sleeve with it and it did nothing."
> Gesture back to Sanae.
> "Which begs the question of why her presence made it go off."
-
> "I'm not sure if Sanae herself is doing this or not, so would you mind helping me frisk her?"
> Ask self: Do we know about the Harry Potter sport "Quidditch?" I wonder if Gensokyo would be able to pull off their own version of it.
-
> "That's okay, because I do. It has an inherent self-defense mechanism that makes it go bonkers when it senses a threat. You can see it's still now, while it's right in front of you, and Kogasa spent a half hour up my sleeve with it and it did nothing."
> Gesture back to Sanae.
> "Which begs the question of why her presence made it go off."
> Suwako pulls her hat over her face and goes quiet for a few moments. When she re-emerges, she takes a breath.
> "You've had it with you when you were with her in the past and it did nothing, no?" she asks.
> "I'm not sure if Sanae herself is doing this or not, so would you mind helping me frisk her?"
> Ask self: Do we know about the Harry Potter sport "Quidditch?" I wonder if Gensokyo would be able to pull off their own version of it.
> "Haven't you done that already?"
> Your mind wanders back to sports for some reason. In particular, you think of one obscure-sounding sport that is a little familiar to you. You might have read about it at Voile before.
> _
-
> Have we ever had it out in Sanae's presence before today?
-
> Have we ever had it out in Sanae's presence before today?
> Yes. Sometimes you'll just have the yin yang orb on person without really thinking about it.
> _
-
> "I have, and it hasn't."
-
> Toss the yin-yang orb at the funny-looking Lemming watching this from the real world for not paying more attention.
> "Sorry, I've got a lot on my mind and I haven't sorted it out..."
> Once you're finished with the yin-yang orb topic, ask Suwako about the thing she brought with her earlier.
-
> "I have, and it hasn't."
> "Then in that case, something must have changed for it to react to her," Suwako says.
> Toss the yin-yang orb at the funny-looking Lemming watching this from the real world for not paying more attention.
> "Sorry, I've got a lot on my mind and I haven't sorted it out..."
> Once you're finished with the yin-yang orb topic, ask Suwako about the thing she brought with her earlier.
> What lemming? What??
> Suwako nods.
> "The box or the water charm you asked for?"
> _
-
<---- This Lemming here :V
> "Uh, the box."
-
> "Uh, the box."
> "Right." Suwako claps her hands together. "I was gone for so long because I got the tengu to build one. Don't worry, I said it was for Sanae so they were real quick about it. It's out front right now."
> _
-
> "Awesome, thank you very much."
> "Oh, can we have that water charm too, please?"
> Now, we need to figure out how to fill it with water...Is there anything we can use as a pail?
-
> "Awesome, thank you very much."
> "Oh, can we have that water charm too, please?"
> Now, we need to figure out how to fill it with water...Is there anything we can use as a pail?
> Suwako puts a hand in her hat and takes out a small wooden tablet with a red cord strung through it.
> "Here ya go." She holds it out to you.
> Now all you have to do is fill the box with water...You are not sure how you are going to do this because you don't have any containers for carrying water in at the moment.
> _
-
> Are there any bubbles near the Moriya Shrine? We could borrow water from one of those.
-
>Why do we need an intermediate water container to fill the box when we can simply fill it from a source?
-
>Why do we need an intermediate water container to fill the box when we can simply fill it from a source?
Good point. The question is...
> Are there any water sources nearby that aren't Suwako's pond?
-
Because the real problem would be lifting it out. If Kogasa can't power lift 1d6 dolphins, a tub full of water will be beyond her.
-
> Are there any bubbles near the Moriya Shrine? We could borrow water from one of those.
> You passed some when you were investigating the sky. You wonder if you could use those.
>Why do we need an intermediate water container to fill the box when we can simply fill it from a source?
> You realize that it would be faster to fill it from a larger body of water than just using something like a bucket.
> _
-
Guys we're standing right in front of a frog goddess and talking about her pond.
>"Do you think you could fill it with water for me after I put it inside my sleeve?"
-
> "The box, I mean."
-
> Are there any water sources nearby that aren't Suwako's pond?
> You could go further down the mountain to get to the river/waterfall, or you could use one of the bubbles.
>"Do you think you could fill it with water for me after I put it inside my sleeve?"
> "The box, I mean."
> "How would you propose I do that?"
> _
-
>"You're a goddess, you have a pond full of water, I thought maybe you could do something."
-
>"You're a goddess, you have a pond full of water, I thought maybe you could do something."
> "Well, I--oh wait, I can just use my hat." Suwako touches the brim of her hat. "I wear this hat so much I forget it's there sometimes."
> _
-
>"What does the hat do?"
-
>"What does the hat do?"
> "I can store stuff in it, of course. Like how an Outside World stage magician keeps doves and rabbits in their hat."
> _
-
>What happens if we put her hat in our sleevespace, or our sleeves in her hatspace?
-
>What happens if we put her hat in our sleevespace, or our sleeves in her hatspace?
> Nothing extreme would happen, most likely.
> _
-
> Nothing extreme would happen, most likely.
So we won't be able to get any shenanigans like this (http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=4&p=000947)? Darn. :V
> Take a look inside the hat and accidentally fall into it.
-
> Take a look inside the hat and accidentally fall into it.
> Suwako would have to take off her hat first for you to look into it.
> _
-
> "Forgive me for sounding skeptical, but I'd like to see how spacious that hat is."
-
> "Forgive me for sounding skeptical, but I'd like to see how spacious that hat is."
> Suwako takes off her hat and holds it out to you upside-down with a tight grip on the brim.
> _
-
> Look inside the hat.
> Stick your arm in it to see how deep it goes.
-
> Look inside the hat.
> Stick your arm in it to see how deep it goes.
> The inside of Suwako's hat is a black void. The darkness seeps over the edges and onto the brim like a thousand arms pulling the damned into Hell. If you strain your ears, you hear eldritch rumbling, and putting your arm into the hat makes you feel like you've been thrown into a vat of ice water in the middle of the winter. You feel neither a floor nor walls. You get the feeling that there's a huge depth to this hat.
> "There's a lot of room," Suwako tells you.
> _
-
>"Is it supposed to have that rumbling?"
-
>"Is it supposed to have that rumbling?"
> "Oh, yeah, that's normal...Just ignore it."
> _
-
"Is the water going to come out normal? It's pretty cold in there? And...disturbing."
-
> Contemplate how difficult it would be to make a hammerspace spell card.
-
>Shove Suwako into hat. We shall freeze out own frogs!
-
> "Hold on, you guys, you've gone over the post limit. Wait a bit until we've made a new thread."
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/sanakoi/Reimu%20Quest%20icons/charactericon_kasen_zps35a64ce5.png)