> "She kept saying you would be willing to step aside and let her take Patchouli. Is this true?"
>"In light of that, I would likely have to," says Eirin. Patchouli gives Eirin an appraising look. "If I am right, Yorihime is doing this to serve as a display of power and loyalty to the capital as much as enforcing any kind of safety of our combined worlds. There's been many questions of the regents' ability to maintain the safety of the capital, given recent events. Yorihime seems to be trying to make a show that they can, and are willing to be aggressive in pursuit of that goal. Were I to stand in her way, well, it would be a sign that I disapprove of my own heirs. And the loyalists would seize upon that, and cause more trouble."
>"So you're willing to sell me up the river, so to speak," says Patchouli darkly.
>"Not quite," says Eirin. "More accurate to say I wouldn't be able to help you out of the river after you've fallen in. But yes, Yorihime is correct. I won't be able to directly help you without causing more damage in the long run. But more pertinently, it makes me wonder what her plans for Eientei are."
>"Does this still end in us needing to kick her ass?"
>"Well, I certainly couldn't order you to do it," says Eirin. "But it seems I wouldn't have to, would I? I daresay it would be best for everyone if she were not able to succeed. Unfortunately, it would destabilize her own own position more, and likely would only sour your name further, Reisen, but it would also convince them that invasions of Gensokyo are as foolish as invasions of the moon."
>_
>_