> "All right. The rest of 'em I don't know a whole lot about aside from having firearms, so you can do with them as you see fit. That includes the small group guarding their machine."
> "Pretty much. Kasen ripped through them with next to no effort back in their land."
> "Oh, speaking of those guys at the machine. I know their land has some sort of instant long-distance communication system called 'radio'. The main group might radio back to the machine group and warn them about us disappearing. I don't know how they'll react on the whole, but I guess it's possible they'll try to run away back home with the machine."
> "Yeah, most likely."
> "Umm...well...how much do you know about me? Like, where I'm originally from?"
> Do we still have any of the jiangshi's possessions?
> "Mmm, okay. I gotta admit, I'm not sure what I'd want either. I guess I did learn how to grow my own food from the harvest goddess just recently, but gardening underground is, uh, a little bit difficult. I don't suppose you could do something to help with that?"
> Prior to yesterday, what were our favorite vegetables?
> "The main problems I can think of are sunlight and proper soil. Ideally I'd like to grow stuff relatively close to where I tend to hang out so I can shoo away any fairies that might come along and thing my stuff is theirs. I'll also need seeds to start this whole process, though I could probably pick those up at the human village."
>Shrug. "Mostly the food, but I might be able to get some extra scratch if I sell the extras or something. Plus, it's something to do that doesn't involve me getting wrapped up in Oni messes downtown, know what I mean? Already had a lively time of it as it is."
> "On the flip side, I do make it a point to be as self-sufficient as possible, which is why I took an interest in this in the first place. I'd take just the food if that's all I can get, but if I can get the ability to make my own food like this, so much the better."
> "I guess what I'm saying is that the answer isn't as simple as one or the other. I'd like a permanent and reliable source of food, and I've got a harvest goddess's favor to work with."
> Take the bag with a curious look.
> Squint our eyes in preparation for something blinding and take a small peek into the bag.
> Close the bag and look away so we stop blinding ourselves.
> "Shiny."
> "Really? Wow, cool. Thanks!"
> "A couple of hopefully minor things, actually. Do you know of a woman with blue loopy hair? She has jiangshi minions and was helping out the outsiders."
> "Okay. The other thing is that I'd like the maid present when I deliver Sariel to Higan. If that's possible."
> "See, the thing is, Yumemi's most likely going to show up again once panic and chaos have gripped their land for long enough that she can build another machine that can come here. That maid? She's some sort of machine woman herself, and there's a whole bunch of her back in their land, and they can share memories. They're used as maids, as you might have guessed from the dress. If Yumemi takes her back to their land, then she'll be able to tell everyone to stop thinking about invading here, but she'll also be able to tell everyone that Sariel was delivered as promised."
> Shrug.
> "Sorry, but I have no real way of stopping them from coming at least once more. You can tell them that once they get here next time, but that's the best I can offer."
> "Oh, okay. Though, in fairness to them, it sounds like she would have stopped the Emperor's uprising if she had been there instead of having that mass dream here."
> "It's certainly possible. I don't know much of anything about anything concerning them that happened before the last 24 hours, so I don't think I'll be casting any other judgments on the situation."
>"How close are we to the Sanzu River pier*? That's where I have to take her."
>*replace with dock, mooring, whatever there actually is
> "Well, whatever you did to get us here, could you do that again?"
> "Just a small thing."
> Pull out the translator.
> "Yumemi made this. It's a translator. Put it on your head and speak Japanese, and it'll spit out what you said in their language. It will also translate other people speaking their language into Japanese for the wearer. If Yuugi's going to have a new pet, she might want this so she can understand him."
> Nod, then turn to Kasen.
> "Will you come with to Higan? I wouldn't be offended if you declined, since I know hermits and shinigami aren't the bestest of friends, but it would be nice if you could."
> "Would it be enough to just kind of hang around to the side, away from the action? Since I think I'm pretty much ready to go now."
> "Do what you gotta do."
> Shrug.
> "I don't expect it will."
> Wait a couple of minutes for Yukari to return.
> "...Huh. Well."
> Look to Kasen.
> "How far away is the red-white's place from here? Maybe we should check in with her in the meantime."
> "Let's head there to kill some time, then."
> Head northeast (still by floating so we don't aggravate the side injury by bouncing everywhere) in search of the shrine.
> "Wow, you don't look so good. Bet you've still had a better day than us, though."
> Look to Kasen.
> "You wanna explain it to her?"
> "Why we were both gone for 24 hours, why my side and half of my stuff is a bloody mess, and why Yukari is currently 'greeting' an outside world dictator and a small chunk of his gigantic, world-conquering army."
> How far is the entrance to the Underground from here?
> "She's taking care of the current issue, yeah, and on the outside, your ol' buddy Yumemi Okazaki is working to make sure no one else gets similar ideas."
> "She seems to me like someone that's never not having funny ideas. But!"
> Turn to Kasen.
> "How about this? If you stick around here and tell her our grand tale, I can spare you a trip to the Sanzu by finding an underground buddy of mine to take your place. Does that work for you?"
> Shake our head.
> "Yumemi's got nothing to do with the Sanzu. She's still stuck in her land and she should be for a while longer. I have other business with Higan. Kasen and I picked up some of their garbage during our adventures, so I'm going to return it to them and remind them that littering is bad."
> "Oh, that guy finally showed up? Nah, he's only tangentially related at best. His blue loop-haired woman buddy was working with hostile forces from Yumemi's home, but I don't think she knew what they had planned, and the one guy she was working with in particular is all set to discard her anyway."
> "Yep. She only actually had contact with one guy, but he's a part of the group Yukari's dealing with right now."
> "Sounds like it. Kasen can tell you all about it, but I gotta run. Yukari's picking up that Higan garbage for me as well, and I...wait, the prince is a she?"
> "Wow. Uh, okay then. Anyway, yeah, I don't want to keep someone that tear reality a new one waiting longer than I have to when she's doing me a favor."
> In which direction is the underground entrance?
> Turn to Kasen.
> "Guess this is it. You'll come by and say hi some time, right?"
> "Great."
> Give a small smirk.
> "Thanks for helping me topple an empire. I've always wanted to stick it to the man."
> "Make sure you make me sound really awesome when you tell our story. See you later."
> Assuming no objections from anyone present, take flight and head south-southeast in search of the entrance to the underground.
> Finally...
> Head on inside. Let's see if Yamame is around.
> Is our stuff still liberally blood-stained?
> Start floating in her direction with a blank, exhausted look on our face.
>Weak smile.
>"Heh heh, I actually resolved an incident. Not as fun as they make it sound."
> Tilt ourselves and our bucket forward so the contents are visible to Yamame.
> "Oh, there's a whole lot more to it than that."
> "I will be, and it is. There's a pretty good story to be told. But first, I need a huge favor from you."
> Deep breath.
> "I need you to come topside with me and meet my parents."
> Frown ourselves.
> "I don't like talking about it or having anything to do with them that I don't absolutely have to. You ever noticed I never told you my family name? But things have come up in the last day, and I don't have much of a choice."
> "Great. Let me know when you're ready."
> "Okay. We'll need to go to Yukari's place first, since she's acquiring some cargo for me that needs to be shipped to my folks. Once we're all gathered, she'll be sending us to where we need to go. I hope that's okay."
> Smirk.
> "You have no idea. Let's go."
> Head back out to topside and toward Yukari's pad. We should know where it is, given we just came from it.
> "She's telling the red-white what happened, so I have my friend here instead. It's not a big deal, I figured she'd be antsy. How'd things go for you?"
> "The soldiers are back home? You could do that without the machine?"
> "Wow. Okay. What about Sariel and the machine woman?"
> "Depends. Would it be easier on you to deposit them here now, or deposit them at our next destination after we get there?"
> "Then let's drop them off there instead of making a stopover here."
> "Sure. Do I need to close my eyes again?"
> Close our eyes, take a deep breath,and steel ourselves for what we're about to do to ourselves.
> A lovable oaf to the end, that one is.
> We saw how Kasen was in bad shape after that trip. Keep our eyes closed, keep moving forward.
> Stop, open our eyes, and take a look around.
> So we're on the Gensokyo side instead of the Higan side?
> Did we ever redo the bobbles in our hair?
> Shrug.
> "Didn't know today was a fair day."
> Find Yukari.
> "Can I assume our cargo is ready to deposit at any time? I guess it'd be a bit awkward to dump it out here with all these people around."
> Nod, then point to the north.
> "All right. Then let's make our way to the river proper and drop it off there."
> Head through the crowd to the shores of the river.
> Gesture to some open land near the pier. It will probably be near some people, but whatever.
> "Over by the pier is fine. That'll get noticed by the right people."
> Smirk.
> "Welcome home."
> Watch her to see if she's leaving or depositing VIVIT.
> Look to VIVIT.
> "Welcome to the Gensokyo side of the Sanzu River. Looks like you lucked out, Higan is having a fair day today."
> "We came here to give her back, right? Just because we've lost a few people along the way doesn't mean we can't still complete that mission. But there's a lot of explaining to go around, so hopefully you'll be clear by the time that's over."
> Turn to the folks gathering around Sariel and gently wave them back.
> "C'mon, folks, give her a little space."
>How close is Komachi?
> Point out to the boat.
> "Let's just wait until she gets here. Explanations will start then."
> "Don't worry, you'll get home eventually. Part of the reason I asked for you was because I wanted to spare you from what I thought was going to be a far more gruesome fate than what befell everyone else. If that blonde woman doesn't send you home for some reason, then at the very least, you can go back with Yumemi whenever she shows up here next."
> Here we go.
> Look over to her, point down at Sariel, and call out in return.
> "Got a special delivery for Higan."
> Wave at the crowd to part so Sariel and ourselves are in Komachi's line of vision better.
> "Let 'er through, folks."
> ?!?!
> "Ack!"
> "Ah! Yamame, the boat! Ow ow OW OW!"
> Take a breath.
> "It's okay. It's just my side."
> "I'll live. It's a long story. I can tell it later, but right now there's something more immediately important on the ground."
> "Caught her messing around in another land, one that was very much not Makai like where she was supposed to be. See the red-haired maid over there? She's from that land, and they'd like to know what's up with Sariel. Her history here, why she was in their land, things like that."
>"Sariel told some guy to conquer Gensokyo, and that's why I was gone for a few days."
>"Well, gone from Gensokyo that is."
>"Well, for a good while I was just hiding out, living on my own. Feels good y'know, not having anyone push you around. I even got a nice little setup in the works too, gonna take up farmin'. Maybe I'll send some of the goods your way sometime if I got extras."
>Come to think of it, what sort of fruits and vegetables did they like a lot?
>"But a couple days ago I ended up gettin' dragged into another land, odd little place called Kosa. That's where Sariel was causin' a stink."
> Look over to VIVIT.
> "VIVIT, let her know about yourself and your land, and why you're here."
> Look back to Komachi.
> "I realize this is bad timing what with the fair day, but if we could somehow get a copy of Sariel's you-know-what records and read them to VIVIT, the Canus Empire would be much appreciative."
> "Well, that was only over the last day or two. I've been spending most of my time underground. In fact, that's my earth spider friend helping secure your boat."
> Smirk.
> "You know, you could help her. Since it is your boat and all."
> "Sounds doable."
> Float on over to the pier and help tie the boat.
> "I was busy not messing with anyone that could make it a rough time. Other than that, just making it on my own however I need to."
>"Aw, Mom!"
> "But yeah, could've been better, but that's gonna change soon."
> Roll our eyes.
> "Of course."
> "I get by fine."
> How are Sariel and VIVIT doing?
> "We live near the topside entrance. The tunnels branch out a lot if you don't stay on the main path. You might be surprised at just how far you can wander."
> That's a good question. How long have we known Yamame?
> "Been a good line time. She was one of the first underground folks I met."
> Give an annoyed grunt.
> "That's not her job. I eat what I get for myself. If I don't get to eat a lot on any given day, it's because I didn't earn it."
> Blink.
> "Huh? Uh...oh. Oh! Oh no no no no. No, not like that, no."
> Finish securing the boat.
> "She was back in what I gather was the land she was originally assigned to. She was an advisor to the Emperor, getting him to build up a massive conquering army. She played off of his ambition and told him Higan was Gensokyo's capital so he would wreck them both for her, and quite possibly get his land ruined in the process when we invariably retaliated."
> Shrug.
> 'I guess she didn't think so."
> "Oh, that got through, huh? Well, things change, and I'm here now, ain't I?"
> "Busy with work, I'd assume."
> ...
> Let our face fall.
> Take on a quiet voice and look away.
> "...oh."
> "...I...uh...I didn't think...she'd actually go out..."
> "Oh..."
> Look back up.
> "Well, I helped resolve something with the oarfish woman and a buddy of hers. As for the other thing, why wouldn't I be happy with where I was? If I wasn't, I wouldn't be there anymore."
> "Maybe. I'm proof it's at least doable, though."
> Frown.
> "It's not like I planned on leaving Gensokyo. But yeah, uh, sorry for sending her on a wild goose chase."
> Man...she actually went out to look for us? That's...we were sure she would blow us off! Why...?
> Put on a slightly incredulous look.
> "...Really?"
> "...But why?"
> "No, why go looking at all?"
>How many will the boat hold?
>How many will the boat hold?
> "Well, yeah. I clearly didn't belong here anymore, so I took the hint and shoved off."
> "Probably. I have no desire to stay. Hell, it took Sariel and an interdimensional near-incident to get me here, and even then I was really hesitant on coming."
> "I've lasted this long. You'd be amazed how you can get used to living anywhere when you don't have someone telling you day in and day out that everything you do is wrong."
> Roll our eyes again.
> "Oh, just get off of it. Or are you studying to become a career nag too?"
> Frown with the slightest hint of a scowl.
> "Hey, I know full well my life isn't glamorous. But I don't care, because it's mine. I can take pride in knowing that I worked for everything I have. And if I'm gonna make mistakes, then they're gonna be my mistakes, and I'm okay with that."
> "You really wanna talk about mistakes?"
> Point at Sariel.
> "Higan sure did a bang-up job of keeping their eye on her, huh? And how many well-fed lazy bodies caught her and brought her back again?"
> "What, you mean like winning a duel with an oni? Or earning a blessing from the harvest goddess? Or earning favors from Yukari and the Dragon Palace Messenger? Or capturing a fugitive? Or stopping an interdimensional war? Yeah, sure, nothing to be proud of there!"
> "No! It wouldn't make any difference at all, would it?! No matter what I do there's always something to pick at! I've never been good enough! Not for here, not for you, and sure as hell not for her!"
> "Don't even try that! I told you I was taking care of it! What do you think I mentioned the harvest goddess for?! But no, you just brush that aside to point out my flaws! I guess having the favor of the one that controls the harvest doesn't matter when there's a nag quota to be met!"
> Oh great. It's her, isn't it.
> Slowly turn around.
>Does she look.. worried?
>Come to think of it, did she ever look worried about us?
>"I'll be fine. Haven't keeled over yet."
> "It looks really messy, but it's been treated already."
> Beat.
> "Not by me. By someone really smart, that knew what they were doing."
> "More or less. I didn't physically drag her from place to place myself, but I exposed her to the Canus Empire and incapacitated her."
> Nod.
> "Yeah, that'll be fine. And once that's done, you should try enjoying the fair day. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you, since it sounds like Yukari wants this to be your last trip to Gensokyo. Might as well take advantage of it."
> "Wait, she was looking too? Oh! Uh' well."
> Put on a small frown.
> "This, uh, might be hard to believe, but...I was abducted and removed from Gensokyo."
> Nod.
> "I'd figured you'd be able to if anyone. Lucky us, I actually ended up in Kosa, Sariel's old haunt."
> "Eventually. She was working as a special advisor to the ruler there. The red-haired maid could tell you more about that, she's from there."
> Shrug.
> "Some Kosan soldier. They use deadly firearms instead of danmaku. It didn't kill me, but it hurt like all get-out at the time."
> "Huh?"
> Did we ever learn Kasen's family name?
> Take on a slightly embarrassed look.
> "...Oh...um...I didn't come here to make a scene, it just kinda...well...would you rather we all try to work this out in private? I'm sure Yamame wouldn't mind an excuse to browse the fair for a while longer."
> Oh yeah...Miss...Ibaraki, she said when came back with Yamame!
> "Then let's go somewhere and do this."
> Nod.
> "Sounds good. Lead the way."
> Follow along if she starts moving.
> "Should we wait for her, or did you want this to be just us?"
> Stop ourselves.
> "So. What did you want this to be, then?"
> "I thought it did. But now...I don't know. I don't know. And I'm not just saying that to be nice. This...outside of that argument, this was almost the polar opposite of what I expected when I convinced myself I had to personally hand Sariel over. It's...hard to comprehend."
> "A lot of frigid civility that broke down into arguing in half the time we actually took. That or you just plain not showing up."
> "I don't know about 'horrible people', but...I'm not gonna lie, I'm genuinely shocked you thought I was worth coming after."
> Gesture at her up and down.
> "But this...this is the closest to a mess I've ever seen you. And to learn you were looking for me that much, I..."
> Slowly look down.
> "...I..."
> Sniff, then return the gesture.
> "...I'm sorry, Momma."
> She really did care...she really does care...and we thought and said so many nasty things...
> Tear up a little.
> "Uh-huh."
> Let go as well.
> "Um...I guess."
> "Well, it's certainly better than telling me how much of a failure I am. But...it's more that, if it has to come, I'd rather wait a little while longer on in-depth analysis of my behavior."
> Smile.
> "...Thank you."
> How kosher is alcohol in Higan?
> Look back toward the fair. Is Komachi visible?
> "So, uh, they next time you see the Dragon Palace Messenger, do you think you could do her a favor?"
> "If you haven't already, could you give her the details on poltergeist afterlife, if there even is one?"
> "I don't know how much detail I can go into without her permission, but the gist of it is that she has a poltergeist buddy, and it sounds like they know only just enough between the two of them to be particularly concerned about it."
> Nod.
> "Great, thanks."
> "Sure."
> Follow if she leaves.
> "She wouldn't let it go that I don't eat as much as I could, even though I'd said I had it covered at least once."
> "Got it covered over the last two days. Earned a blessing from the harvest goddess, and earned a piece of a sun from Yukari. All I need to do is buy some seeds and find some usable dirt in my area of the caves and I'm good to go."
> "It'll take some time, but once it's ready I'll be in much better shape than I have been. I've gone this long without it, I can wait just a little bit longer."
> "In the cave that leads to the Ancient City, near the topside entrance."
> "What, the entrance care or the Ancient City? I'd agree for both, but the latter is unspeakably worse than the former."
> "I'm not gonna pretend it'll be easy, but there are places around the area where some stuff grows naturally, so..."
> Put on a look of sudden realization.
> "Ah! I picked some of those things yesterday. Let's see how much of a bloody, unusable mess it is."
> Pull out our foodstuffs where Eiki can see and examine them.
> Food inventory
> How often do we normally get to eat?
> "On a good day."
> Give a small bemused smile.
> "They wouldn't be the good days if they happened all the time."
> "Well, yeah, of course. It's not hard to figure out that I don't eat three times a day every day."
> "Well, I guess if you're willing to come out to the underground cave three times a day, who am I to refuse?"
> Frown and put our hands on our hips in mock aggravation.
> "And here I was going to wait until Mommy rejoined us before offering up a willingness to visit regularly so you could have the weepy-eyed reunion I know you wanted. Thanks for stealing my thunder, you big meanie."
> Let the pose go and anicker.
> "Apparently it's also a Yama's duty to have no sense of humor. But seriously, I would've visited on at least a somewhat regular basis even without any offers of food."
> "Oh. Well, uh, your straight face is too good."
> Giggle.
> "Of course. The delivery is everything."
> "Of course. You'd have to be a special kind of stupid to wander into the Ancient City if you didn't have to, and I almost never have to."
> Shrug.
> "Even outside, trouble doesn't normally come my way unless I'm dumb enough to go looking for it. There was that one time with the red-white, I guess, but that's about it, really."
>"I live in the tunnel, near the aboveground entrance. Oni don't really come that way too often."
> Have they? We'd have a good vantage point of oni coming and going.
> "I guess one of the Devas has been back and forth a lot lately. She doesn't pay any attention to me, though, and I'm not about to give her a reason to."
>"Of course, I got angry at this one human and tracked him down, it ended with me saving Gensokyo from an invasion. So safe may not be the best measurement."
> Give her a wave.
> "Yeah. So, I'm willing to try this again if you are."
> Where's VIVIT?
> Wait until the hair ruffling stops, then speak up.
> "Oh, where did VIVIT go?"
> Nod.
> "Good."
> Let a small grin creep in.
> "So did you notice anything unusual about her?"
> "There's a reason for that. Did you happen to listen to her? Not anything she said, just her herself."
> "It would have been easier to hear in a quiet area, I guess. VIVIT's not just a person, she's also a machine. You can sometimes hear her body making machine noises."
> Look to Eiki ourselves.
> "I gotta admit, I've been wondering how that would work myself."
> Shrug.
> "Maybe we could just ask her later, once we're not longer in a public setting. Or you could ask Sariel's replacement."
> "Anyway, we should probably devote some private time for the story to be told regard the last 24 hours. Some time after VIVIT's had time to enjoy herself, since I get the feeling that doesn't happen often."
> "We can, if you think it's okay to pull VIVIT away from the fair after she just got into it."
> "Okay. Feel free to not rush, just in case she's found something she likes and it's hard to pull her away from it."
> Smirk.
> "That's easy! Do you have any idea how long it's been since I enjoyed a fair day?"
> "Oh, we'll just see about that."
> Turn to Eiki.
> "Let's go see what my friends are up to. Have you met Yamame before? I know she goes topside sometimes."
> Facepalm.
>"...Yup."
> Blink.
> "Oh well. C'mon, let's go!"
> Head out into the fair and fair it up! Be sure to stop by with Yamame and/or VIVIT as we see them.
> Based on what we've learned over the last couple of days, mentally estimate the proximities between our current location, Nazrin's junk shop, Minoriko's part of the forest, and that human house in the middle of nowhere...Renko was her name? The one in the fedora with the teacher friend that we bagged some time ago.
> "Hmm. Actually, in that case, there are a couple of pieces of unfinished business I could take care of in Gensokyo proper while we wait for her to finish up. That'll give VIVIT and Yamame more time to enjoy this place."
> Gesture up and down at Eiki.
> "And it'll give you a break and a chance to clean up, since you look like you need both pretty badly."
> "Okay. Let Yamame and VIVIT know I'll be back soon too, so they don't wonder about me. Catch you in a bit."
> Assuming no objections from Eiki, take flight and head south, to the forest junk shop. Hopefully it's open at this hour...
>Examine fairy.
> Shake head.
> Enter the shop.
> "Man, the fairies must have absolutely hounded Ellen."
> Nod.
> "Anyway, I don't have a lot of time, due to a massive amount of extenuating circumstances. I can tell you that your missing candle was a recent donation to the 'Fairy Shrine', whatever or wherever that is. A fairy named Cherry Blossom did it. I can go looking for it if you like, but unfortunately there is something else that's come up that has to take higher priority, so it'll have to wait a bit."
> Anything present that stands out at something either of the 'rents would like?
> "How about the incense? Is that okay?"
> "The arrow would be nice, but like I said, outside circumstances. Gotta rethink my priorities a little bit now. Hmm...if I get another one, I'd like the Bag of Yellow Leaves. Or that green fruit, if the leaves are too much."
> "I'll do the leaves and the fruit, then. I have more use for them than the arrow or shield, to be honest. Plus you folks have been holding my new knife safe for me."
> "Thanks."
> Take 'em!
> "Oh yeah, what was up with those spirits? I don't see 'em around anymore. Heard the red-white smacked around a woman Prince. Was she behind it?"
> "Is there anyone the red-white doesn't rip through? And yeah, I remember stuff going on in the graveyard. I'll have to ask around the village next time I'm there."
> Smirk.
> "Yeah, don't get in the red-white's way unless you have a death wish. Anyway, gotta take off. Good luck completing your recovery."
> Let Nazrin respond, then, assuming she doesn't prompt us to stay, leave the store, take flight, and head to Renko's house.
> How much cash do we have on-hand?
> Assuming there's no one outside, head to the door and knock.
> "I won't keep you long, then. Is your friend home?"
> "Shoot. Oh well, here's what's going on. I'm on a bit of a high from reuniting with my mothers today. I know I waylaid your friend once some time ago in the underground cavesl If she can come find me again, I'd be willing to return what I took that time, if she remembers what it was."
> Give a small grin.
> "If nothing else, hopefully it'll keep Momma and Mommy off my back for a little bit. Fate knows I could use it."
> "I could, but I don't remember how much I took. It all runs together over time."
> Nod.
> "That works. I've faced far worse than kitchen utensils today."
> "Don't think so, unless you know anything about that female Prince the red-white ripped through. I missed out on that."
> "It might have. I haven't run into anyone yet that knows about it. Oh! Just thought of something else. You said you were going to hunt in the forest for lost items? A fairy named Cherry Blossom lifted a candle from the junk shop and donated it to the Fairy Shrine, whatever that is. If you find it, the mouse woman in the shop would love to get it back."
> "Oh good, that works then. You might get something from the shop for your troubles, though obviously I'm not gonna speak on the mouse woman's behalf in that regard."
> "Anyway, I gotta get going. Let your friend know why I stopped by so hopefully I can avoid a culinary demise. Catch you later."
> Let Renko respond, then, assuming she doesn't prompt us to stay, take flight and head toward Minoriko's part of the forest.
> "Yeah. Got an ID on the rogue farmer guy. Figured you might at least want to know what happened to him."
> "Okay. This is gonna sound really far-fetched, but it's what happened."
> Breathe.
> "The guy's not from Gensokyo at all. His home land built a machine that lets people in here. He was here in disguise because he was scouting aroun for information. Yukari's sent him back home, though, and it sounds like it's very unlikely we'll see him ever again."
> "It was a police state called Kosa. They had tons of fancy machines and stuff, but they have basically no experience with magic. I wish I could tell you more, but outside world stuff is way beyond me. If you like, you can ask Yukari about it. Or Kasen the hermit, if you know her."
> "The police state thing is very new, yeah. Only a few years, I think."
> Nod.
> "Somewhat relate to that, I got a piece of sun from Yukari for helping out. If I start growing things underground with it, should I leave it out all the time? Or should I take it down sometimes to simulate night time?"
> Nod.
> "Got it."
> "Great. In that case, I gotta take off. Thanks for the advice."
> Let Minoriko respond, then, assuming we're not prompted to stay, take flight and head back to the Sanzu fair.
> Does the voice sound familiar?
> Huh. Well, none of the voices we heard around the human village turned out to be too bad.
> Head into the ally.
> "Oh hey. Thanks!"
> Take it.
> "How are you holding up, then?"
> Hot damn.
> Give a sympathetic frown regardless.
> "I hope that doesn't include your master."
> "I guess that's a start. Also, I don't know if this will help you or not, since I don't know how much you two already know about the issue, but I was able to pull a couple of strings for you. If you or Iku are ever so inclined, the next time Iku meets the yama, the yama will offer a full explanation on the details of poltergeists and the afterlife bureaucracy. And she won't ask any personal questions about why Iku might want to know."
> Nod.
> "Yeah. All the yama knows is that Iku had a poltergeist friend, and the two of you combined don't know a whole lot about the afterlife process. I figured that would be safe enough to admit, since the former is easy to guess and the latter is probably true of most everyone. If the yama learns any more details about you, they won't have come from me."
> Give a small smile.
> "Not a problem. And, uh...let me give you one final piece of advice, grounded in my own personal experience. The past couple of hours have nearly shattered some pretty deep personal stuff for me, stuff that I've held and felt for a long time. And it was shattered a very good way."
> Breathe.
> "You're welcome to believe whatever you want about anything you want as strongly as you want. But...never say never. You never know if you could be wrong."
> "Anyway, take care of yourself. And feel free to visit underground sometime. I'm not even as far as the Ancient City, and I can promise my typical living spaces are judgment-free zones."
> Mental note #1: Be sure to visit Renko's house in the evening and offer the same explanation to her blonde friend that we did to Renko.
> Mental note #2: Have VIVIT present when discussing our Kosan adventures with the 'rents.
> Mental note #3: Offer up the Shouchuu to share with the 'rents while Yamame is still around. Maybe VIVIT will want some too.
> "Of course. Catch you around, if you want."
> Assuming Shuuei does not prompt us to remain, take flight and resume our course to the Sanzu dock.
> So what was with the granite, and who moved us further into the caves?
> So how well did we do, on the whole? Normally I would consider refraining from this because I figure you'd give a vague answer but I expect you had actual expectations this game given who the player character was.
> Was it possible to screw up in Kosa so badly that we would have been imprisoned there and left to rot (presumably leading to a Bad End and a new game much like how Parsee Quest was the Utsuho Quest emergency backup)?
> Was it possible to dissolve the empire without forcibly removing the Emperor?
> What would have happened if we approached Parsee and Utsuho while they were in the snow?
> If we kept going past Yoshika instead of turning directions, would we have run into Seiga?
> Was it possible to find the Taoists at the end there if we really really wanted to?
> Was there a planned EX boss, if not Sariel?
> Could anyone have reasonably healed our legs if we really really wanted it?
>Could we have persuaded the rebels to work with the imperials?
>Could we have stranded K & K in Kosa, and would that have ended the quest?
> So could she have stood up in her bucket and been okay?
> Since the EX question has been asked, were there any other bosses that were bypassed?
>BGM Request - Kisume speaks with Shikieiki alone.
> Was it possible to convince Kasen to take Sombraluz in, even if he probably would have declined himself in the same way VIVIT did?
> If so, and he somehow decided to stay, would he have gone looking for Canus?