Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Topic started by: Oldmansour on March 08, 2015, 07:59:58 PM
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>You are Hatate Himekaidou, owner and editor of the Gensokyo newspaper Kakashi Spirit News.
>Embarking on a quest to locate the missing journalist Aya Shameimaru, your investigations have led to very unexpected development. You, Momiji Inubashiri, and the steward of the Cobalt Keep Celes d'Arquien, were pulled into a phantasmal Gensokyo created by a magical book, a world, Celes claims, was based on the desires and dreams of the other people trapped within, which includes Aya herself, Marisa Kirisame, Alice Margatroid and Ran Yakumo. This version of Gensokyo seems to be at least fifteen years ahead of the one you left, Alice has a daughter, Marisa has a number of wives, Ran has embarked on a project to change the very nature of the Great Hakurei Border, and Tengu society has been turned upside down by a revolution, leading to the removal from power of the Dai Tengu in their entirety. Now a council rules the tengu race, made up of representatives from all five castes, which evidently is something Aya desires deeply.
>According to Celes, this book is one of the many traps left behind by the previous owner of the Keep, a being called Ebon Regal, whose mere name made the entire world shudder in terror. The Ranka of this world warned you desperately not to speak that name, something which Celes agreed. From what Celes said, if the other trapped here stay trapped into their little false slices of paradises, their souls could remain trapped here forever, and even though you and your two companions seem to be immune to the enchanting effects of the book for the moment, there's no telling what could happen the longer you stay here. While you're curious about parts of this world, you know you need to get out, the sooner the better. Despite losing your virginity to, well, yourself.
>Mortally offended by these changes and wanting to take it out on someone, you have resolved to go talk to Aya, both to try and wake her up to the fact that she has been bespelled by this book like the other three, and to yell at her for the world you've found. If you succeed at the former goal, you'll need her help to try and find a way to escape this book, which you suspect may lie in this Gensokyo's version of the Cobalt Keep. A place which, evidently, is the most dangerous place in the whole of the world.
>"....Maybe. But I am thinking maybe just a step before that."
>"Well good." Ranka replies. "I don't like that kind of rolling in the dirt."
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>Nod.
>"Alright, let's get Momiji, then start this thing."
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>Nod.
>"Alright, let's get Momiji, then start this thing."
>As though summoned by your words, Momiji and Celes emerge from the Moriya temple door just as you look towards the entrance yourself. The two part ways, and Momiji heads in your direction. "All set?" she calls out.
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>"Ready as we'll ever be."
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>"Ready as we'll ever be."
>"Right. Then let's be off. Or, do you know where Twilight's is?"
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>Do we? If so: "Is it where it usually is?"
>If not, shake head.
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>Do we? If so: "Is it where it usually is?"
>If not, shake head.
>You do, though you have never been there. In your world, you'd never have been allowed in.
>"It is."
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>"Okay, then yeah."
>Take to the air in that direction.
>"So...what's it like here?"
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>"Okay, then yeah."
>Take to the air in that direction.
>"So...what's it like here?"
>"At Twilight's, you mean?" Momiji asks as the three of you take to wing.
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>"Yeah."
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>"Yeah."
>"Very classy. It's not a place to land on after twelve hours in the fields. I'll be honest, I sort of felt out of place there. Though, a lot of that was probably because I couldn't stop thinking, 'I'm not supposed to be in here.'" The white wolf smiles. "I have to admit, Hatate, I sort of like that there's no Dai-tengu only places here."
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>"I could warm up to that, I'll admit."
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>"I could warm up to that, I'll admit."
>"Why do you suppose those kinds of establishments still exist in our world?" Momiji asks. "I know the Dai-tengu are superior to us, but places like really do rub our noses in it, when you think about it."
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>"Could be a few reasons. I personally don't see the need for 'em, they have their own homes they can host private stuff in."
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>"Could be a few reasons. I personally don't see the need for 'em, they have their own homes they can host private stuff in."
>"But they'll be there when we get back." Momiji replies, sounding rather weary. "And no other caste does that, not even the Yamabushi. They're stand-offish, but they don't bar any other caste from their lands and homes."
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>"We might just have to have something sharp to say about it. Show these folks how it's really done."
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>"We might just have to have something sharp to say about it. Show these folks how it's really done."
>"But isn't it odd that no one ever seems to talk about that? Or question why? Every time I can think of someone wondering why it is that Dai-Tengu liquor commands better prices than White Wolves, or why Long-Noses never get as good deals as Dai-Tengu, or why Dai-Tengu can go where no one else can, people just seem to shrug and say 'That's the way it is.' Like it's just a fact of life."
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>"I always thought we were paying for the prestige, myself. But maybe I could give you a bit of article space to say something sharp about that, too."
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>"I always thought we were paying for the prestige, myself. But maybe I could give you a bit of article space to say something sharp about that, too."
>"Right now I'm just wondering why I didn't think more about it myself. Especially with all the time I spent with Aya. If all this came about because of what she most wanted, then why didn't she say anything about it? To me if no one else. I can keep a secret, if it was a secret. Did she ever say anything to you that might have led you to think she wanted this kind of change?"
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>Did she?
>If not, say, "Not a word to me."
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>Did she?
>If not, say, "Not a word to me."
>She did not. She may have spent more time away from the mountain than any other tengu, but she never had anything overtly antagonistic to say about the regime.
>"All these years..."
>As Momiji shakes her head, ruminating on the current situation, Ranka, who had up until this point simply been following along behind you both, floats up to stand abreast from Momiji and lays her hand on the White Wolf's shoulder. "Be careful." she warns.
>"Careful? Of what?"
>"If you agree with Aya too much, if you start thinking like her, you could end up like her. Free but trapped."
>"What's that supposed to mean?" Momiji demands, slowing as she turns to face the wind spirit.
>"There's a force holding Aya, something I don't really understand. All tengu used to be repressed, the wind stifled and stagnant around them, but they aren't here. Aya was the first to change, but now it feels like something else is oppressing her, something.... something all around us." She shakes her head sadly. "I couldn't explain it very well to her, either."
>Momiji looks at you. "You were talking about this phenomenon?"
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>"Sorta. I was about to suggest that maybe she didn't actually want it, and just got swept along with things."
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>"Sorta. I was about to suggest that maybe she didn't actually want it, and just got swept along with things."
>Ranka seems puzzled. "What do you mean?"
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>"Well, you know how people can kinda get swept up in a crowd, and end up getting involved with things they normally wouldn't. Maybe something like that happened here. Or maybe since she went way too far, she's telling herself the only place left to go is as far as possible? I'm just kinda guessing."
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>"Well, you know how people can kinda get swept up in a crowd, and end up getting involved with things they normally wouldn't. Maybe something like that happened here. Or maybe since she went way too far, she's telling herself the only place left to go is as far as possible? I'm just kinda guessing."
>"She CAN get carried away." Momiji adds thoughtfully, before smiling. "A little too easily, sometimes." The White Wolf then chuckles warmly. "Ah, I think I needed a laugh, too. Thanks for that, Hatate."
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>"Okay, what scandal were you thinking about this time?"
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>"Okay, what scandal were you thinking about this time?"
>"Oh, I was just remembering something from around a century or so ago." the wolf replies, speeding up again now that the more somber topic of discussion has passed, for the moment. "It was when she was snooping on the Hakurei miko at the time. Aya was convinced the woman had some kind of deal worked out with Mokou, but she couldn't get any kind of details out of either of them, or anyone else, for that matter. But the idea was driving her crazy. It got to the point where she was annoying Mokou so much, the woman chased Aya halfway up the mountain one day, throwing fireballs at her the whole way. And after that, the Hakurei added her own two cents worth." Momiji grins broadly at the memory. "Aya was in traction for days after the Hakurei was through with her."
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>"Ha ha, wow! How did you ever let her live that down?"
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>"Ha ha, wow! How did you ever let her live that down?"
>Momiji seems about to protest, but stops, and actually blushes slightly. "Between you and me?" she asks quietly. "I managed to keep one of her singed tailfeathers."
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>Snortlaugh.
>"Does she know?"
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>Snortlaugh.
>"Does she know?"
>The wolf nods, almost looking ashamed of herself.
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>More laughing.
>"How do you not wave that thing at her every other day, then?"
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>More laughing.
>"How do you not wave that thing at her every other day, then?"
>"She doesn't get carried away every other day."
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>"Like that should stop you!"
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>"Like that should stop you!"
>Momiji fidgets a little. "That's... not really my style."
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>"Heh, fair enough."
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>"Heh, fair enough."
>"And besides, one needs new material after a while."
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"Oh true. But there's some things that people should never live down."
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"Oh true. But there's some things that people should never live down."
>Momiji smiles a rueful little smile. "Maybe, my young friend. But if I managed to grab something to needle Aya with, what do you suppose the odds are she doesn't have one on me? Or more. Many more."
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>"Pretty low, because you don't screw up like that."
>"Or if you do, you do a real good job of hiding it."
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>"Pretty low, because you don't screw up like that."
>"Or if you do, you do a real good job of hiding it."
>"Now you're flattering me." the white wolf says with a bashful smile.
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>"Oh hardly. There's a reason Aya made you a top dog around here."
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>"Oh hardly. There's a reason Aya made you a top dog around here."
>"She has a point." Ranka adds. "You came closer to catching me than a lot of other tengu when I used to play games with the border guards. Even those Dai-tengu you take orders from couldn't catch me, but came close to it. And that takes a lot of skill and smarts."
>Momicchi actually blushes under the combined praise from the both of you. The woman takes great pride in her work, you know, but it seems she suffers from excess humility when her skills are acknowledged.
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>"See?"
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>"See?"
>"Well, yes, but let's not forget that Ranka was talking about the other Momiji." Momiji replies, trying to bring her embarrassment under control.
>"Same girl." Ranka says with a toss of her hair. "You have the same history, right? 'least up to the point where Aya made this world, that's when you really became... different..." The wind spirit's voice fades as she starts to slow, a look of bleak confusion spreading across her face. "Why did I say that?" she asks quietly.
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>"I think only you can answer that. Why do you think you did it?"
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>"I think only you can answer that. Why do you think you did it?"
>"Because.... It's.... true?"
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>"Hm, keep following that line of thought. See what else you work out?"
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>"Hm, keep following that line of thought. See what else you work out?"
>"Take your time." Momiji adds soothingly, her embarrassment completely forgotten.
>The blonde takes this advise to heart, not answering for several seconds. "Aya's like you two, right? She came from another place, another world?"
>"That's right."
>"But she isn't exactly like you two, she's... she's a part of this world. Or, is becoming a part of it. You two, you stand out, you're.... different, somehow. And I was different too, I remember now, there was a time when Aya- No. No, she didn't make this world, did she, she wasn't here first. Someone else was here first, someone- No, someONES, there were two of them. .. Weren't there?"
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>"Yep, you're doing good."
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>"Yep, you're doing good."
>"But those two weren't tengu, were they?"
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>Shake head.
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>Shake head.
>"Who were they? Do you know?"
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>"Who were they? Do you know?"
>"Yeah. And there may be more than that. There's Ran, for starters."
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>"Yeah. And there may be more than that. There's Ran, for starters."
>"But this world..." Ranka's head twitches violently, and she presses her hands to her temples. "What is this world?"
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>"Just let it come to you. Don't worry, we're here."
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Oh man, finally got caught up on this at 4 this morning. Gonna be useless at work today, but it was totally worth it.
Sadly, I have no particularly useful/noteworthy insights at present, but the path onward seems pretty straightforward outside of finding Greed and Psychuya, so maybe there isn't much of a need for such things. (I did voice some minor concerns on IRC but those have been addressed.)
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Actually, there is one thing I think I'd like a direct statement and/or discussion on.
> For us, is Aya a friend first or a journalistic rival first?
Purvis: If Sour leaves the answer to the playerbase, which would you say?
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I'd say it depends entirely on whether they both woke up in a good mood on any given day. I lean more toward rival, but one grudgingly worthy of respect. Whether we're more interested in winning out or seeing her ruined largely depends on how much she's overshadowed us lately. So at this point in time, less rival and more friend.
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I suppose I'm more asking to see if we'd be willing to sacrifice Aya's happiness (or her soul) for the sake of drastically improving our relative journalistic standing, such as by ditching her here if she's super stubborn.
EDIT: What I mean is that, presumably, we as players don't want to do that, but Hatate may think differently? It wouldn't be the first time any of us has acted suboptimally in the interest of maintaining OCness.
I admit I also worry for the nontrivial possibility that Aya will be woken up but want to remain here anyway.
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My impression is that Hatate wants Aya to acknowledge her as a journalist. Leaving her trapped would make that impossible, whereas rescuing her would work towards it.
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I would argue it'd be very much against tengu honor to just ditch her. If she refuses to leave, we hit her with a blackjack and drag her out.
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> For us, is Aya a friend first or a journalistic rival first?
Purvis: If Sour leaves the answer to the playerbase, which would you say?
You guys seem to be pretty much on the same page with where I'm at with the Aya/Hatate relationship, but because you asked, I'll answer. Just to make it official, I suppose.
>If someone held your wings to the fire and made you choose one or the other, you would have to say rival. But 'friendly rival' is a much more accurate description. You're good at what you do, and nothing you can imagine would give you more pleasure, more satisfaction, than seeing your newspaper surpass Aya's, seeing your journalistic skill ranked above hers. In fact, it would probably be better than sex, though having had said experience now, you're not sure if anything else could top it, but that's an issue for a later discussion.
>The one you want most to acknowledge your skill, though, is Aya herself. Not to rub it in her face- Well, not a lot, and certainly not often. But because her opinion matters to you. She got to where she is because she's good, too. Damn good, in fact. Praise from her is like praise from Ceaser. And more to the point, she's your friend. Having the better newspaper just because she's stuck in some fantasy world being brainwashed by some bogus book is totally unacceptable, and completely unsatisfying.
>"Just let it come to you. Don't worry, we're here."
>"Where is here?" Ranka implores you. "This place is... Isn't right, it's.... It's not right for you. You didn't make it, but she made it, why is that, why did she make it after it was made? How did that happen?"
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>"We're trying to figure that out, still. I don't suppose you remember a book, do you?"
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> Quick fact check; did Aya retire from journalisming in this world, or at least tone it way down? If so, did that happen before or after the Kakashi Free Press hit #1?
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> Quick fact check; did Aya retire from journalisming in this world, or at least tone it way down? If so, did that happen before or after the Kakashi Free Press hit #1?
>She still operates the Bunbunmaru, but isn't as personally involved in it as she used to be, accoriding to what you've been told so far. Your counterpart in this world said that her rise in fame and subscriptions came after Aya took a step back from her publication.
>"We're trying to figure that out, still. I don't suppose you remember a book, do you?"
>"A book?" The blonde spirit closes her eyes, her head still twitching slightly. "A book. Yes. Yes, but it's not a book, not JUST a book. There's... there's more to it. But..." Her stormy eyes open. "Is this just a book? Is this... all just a story?"
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>"Not all. But, tell me what you can remember, it might be important. How'd you find the thing, where were you?"
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Well, that's lame. Lame on Aya for creating a Hata that matches Aya's perception of Hata (I forget who suggested this - maybe Celes?) while taking away Hata's one true goal, and lame on Fake Hata for accepting it and casually admitting that Aya's still better than her (https://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,16984.msg1130071.html#msg1130071).
Something to keep in mind once we finally crash into her, I guess.
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>"Not all. But, tell me what you can remember, it might be important. How'd you find the thing, where were you?"
>Ranka's head spasms once more. "Find it?" Ranka says very darkly. "I didn't. I understand. You're not part of the story. But I am. I knew something was different about you the first time I saw you. I don't know why yet, but seeing you, feeling your wind... It changed me. That's why I've been following you three, trying to figure it out. I didn't find the book, Hatate. It made me. I'm a just a part of this world. A part of.." The blonde sighs and laughs, a humorless sound. "A part of the story."
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>"That's fine. You'll just have to be more than a story, right?"
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>"That's fine. You'll just have to be more than a story, right?"
>"I'm just a doll." Ranka answers, visibly growing angry. "A little puppet this book made. Just like Honoka and Kanako and everything else in this world. Well everything except you two and Celes. You're still free. What are you going to do?"
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>"That doesn't even make any sense. If you were just a puppet, you wouldn't be able to think these things. So there's got to be more to you than just that."
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>"That doesn't even make any sense. If you were just a puppet, you wouldn't be able to think these things. So there's got to be more to you than just that."
>"So I can see my strings. That doesn't make me any less a puppet."
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>"You're also talking with your own voice. Besides, this wouldn't be the weirdest way for a youkai to be born."
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>"You're also talking with your own voice. Besides, this wouldn't be the weirdest way for a youkai to be born."
>Ranka's bitterness changes to confusion. "Say what?"
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>"Youkai are made all kinds of ways. What's wrong with being made from some cursed book? It's a whole lot better than being one of those ones that come out of a toilet."
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>"Youkai are made all kinds of ways. What's wrong with being made from some cursed book? It's a whole lot better than being one of those ones that come out of a toilet."
>"Is that what's happened to me?"
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>"Well that's what it seems like to me. I mean, you're thinking for yourself and have your own plans, right? So who cares how you were born? You're a youkai! Take pride in it!"
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>"Well that's what it seems like to me. I mean, you're thinking for yourself and have your own plans, right? So who cares how you were born? You're a youkai! Take pride in it!"
>"She might be right." Momiji adds. "I've been around a long time, and this really wouldn't be the oddest origin of a youkai I've heard of, not by a longshot."
>"But why? Why would contact with you have done that?"
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>"She might be right." Momiji adds. "I've been around a long time, and this really wouldn't be the oddest origin of a youkai I've heard of, not by a longshot."
>"But why? Why would contact with you have done that?"
>"We're the first people who thought this place was anything other than what you're supposed to think. You didn't have any more reason to question it than anyone else."
>_
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>"We're the first people who thought this place was anything other than what you're supposed to think. You didn't have any more reason to question it than anyone else."
>_
>"You ARE different." Ranka agrees. "I just don't know why. Is it just because you're new?"
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>"I think it's more because we're trying not to get ensnared, like Aya and the others have been."
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>"I think it's more because we're trying not to get ensnared, like Aya and the others have been."
>"The book doesn't seem to have affected us like it did the others." Momiji adds. "At least not so far. And we aim to keep it that way."
>"Yeah, that's smart." the wind spirit says. "In fact, you should probably focus on finding a way out of this world. Or you might end up like Aya and the others."
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>"Yeah. And when we find our way out, you can come too if you want."
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>"Yeah. And when we find our way out, you can come too if you want."
>"Wouldn't that mean there'd be two Rankas in your world?"
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>"I could think of worse things. If it's a problem, just challenge her for the right to the name!"
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>"I could think of worse things. If it's a problem, just challenge her for the right to the name!"
>For a moment, Ranka's grin becomes the lusty leer you're used to seeing on her. "There's an idea." Then the moment fades, as does her grin. "But, no. No, I can't leave this place. I can still feel a connection to the world, to the power that made it. I don't know what I am, why I know what I seem to know, but I do know I'm still a part of this world. If I tried to leave, I'd just... fade away. If there IS a way out of this world, and that's one thing I don't know."
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>"I don't think you'd fade so easily, you're your own youkai, after all. And just going from one Gensokyo to another shouldn't be that much of a problem, it's made to be home to youkai."
>_
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>"I don't think you'd fade so easily, you're your own youkai, after all. And just going from one Gensokyo to another shouldn't be that much of a problem, it's made to be home to youkai."
>_
>"No, I don't really think I am." Ranka says with a shake of her head. "I don't know WHAT I am. It's like... I've become a character in a story that knows that they're a character."
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>"That sounds like a youkai to me."
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>"That sounds like a youkai to me."
>"It... It does?"
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>"Yup. You need to have more confidence in yourself. You managed to wake up and become your own person all by yourself. You should be proud of that!"
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>"Yup. You need to have more confidence in yourself. You managed to wake up and become your own person all by yourself. You should be proud of that!"
>Ranka still seems a little confused. "Why are you so sure that's what happened to me?"
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>"Because it did? I mean, you're the proof right here. Fake things don't question themselves like this. Back me up, Momiji."
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>"Because it did? I mean, you're the proof right here. Fake things don't question themselves like this. Back me up, Momiji."
>The White Wolf frowns. "Well, to be honest, Hatate, I'm not as sure. I mean, her scent hasn't changed. If she's right, and she's still connected to the book, maybe she's a... A rogue character?" she suggests with a confused shrug.
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>"That's what a youkai is, though!"
>If we feel we can give Momiji a discreet nudge or kick that Ranka wouldn't see, do so.
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>"That's what a youkai is, though!"
>If we feel we can give Momiji a discreet nudge or kick that Ranka wouldn't see, do so.
>The wind spirit's attention is too focused on you for you to physically prod your subordinate at the moment.
>"Youkai can be a lot of things." Momiji protests. "Nobody knows everything about youkai and how they come about, not even Yukari."
>"I don't think it matters." Ranka interrupts. "Whether I'm some kind of new youkai, or just a character that can act on its own, I'm still Ranka Kitajima. And I'm still going to help you two every way I can. And I can start with Aya. I know now that I can definitely interrupt her talking to distant tengu, and keep her from feeling me do it."
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>"Right, good. That's the important part, have confidence in yourself! And yeah, we'll drag Aya to her senses whether she likes it or not."
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>"Right, good. That's the important part, have confidence in yourself! And yeah, we'll drag Aya to her senses whether she likes it or not."
>"Just a minute." Momiji interrupts. "You know now?"
>"I didn't know before." Ranka half-explains. The wolf tengu still seems confused, so Ranka goes on, "Aya's caught up in the power of this world. It's messing up her senses, I'm sure. There's gonna be gaps in what she can sense and do since she's sort of... stuck between worlds. I can hide my power in those gaps."
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>"Could you point out those gaps when you see 'em, without her hearing it? It'd be real useful to know when she's being tricked and when she's just being willfully dense."
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>"Could you point out those gaps when you see 'em, without her hearing it? It'd be real useful to know when she's being tricked and when she's just being willfully dense."
>"No. See, you're all in that other world. I'd have to shout into the wind so you could hear me that way, and she'd hear that. Maybe not understand, but she'd hear someone shouting."
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>"Oh, then don't worry about it."
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>"Oh, then don't worry about it."
>"I never worry." Ranka says with a smile, which does waver after a moment. "Well. I didn't used to."
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>Pat her shoulder. "Hang in there."
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>Pat her shoulder. "Hang in there."
>The flighty Ranka nods appreciatively at you, then smiles a saucy smile. "You know, if you didn't have business with someone else, I'd think that was an invitation." she drawls, seemingly her old self again.
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>"Heh. Guess you've gotten some pretty subtle invitations, then!"
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>"Heh. Guess you've gotten some pretty subtle invitations, then!"
>"And not too many of them turned down." she adds.
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>"Is that an invitation?"
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>"Is that an invitation?"
>"I don't see why not."
>Behind you, Momiji clears her throat sharply. "Ladies? The mission?" she reminds you.
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>"We're getting there, geez!"
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>"We're getting there, geez!"
>"Well, we HAVE stopped." Momiji reminds you.
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>"Oh, right. Kinda got drawn into important things."
>Resume course. We can talk more on the way if needs be.
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>"Oh, right. Kinda got drawn into important things."
>Resume course. We can talk more on the way if needs be.
>Momiji gives Ranka a sympathetic look. "Yeah. You're okay for now?"
>Ranka laughs a light laugh. "A little flirt helps clear the mind."
>"Right." Momiji replies tolerantly, then turns as the three of you resume your flight towards Twilight's, and Aya.
>Along the way, Momiji asks the wind spirit, "Do you think you might be able to help us with something else?"
>"Depends on what you want, soldier girl."
>"Ranger. I'm a ranger. And I was wondering, since you're connected to this world in a way that Hatate and I aren't, is it possible that you could find a way out of this world though that connection?"
>Ranka considers that, then shakes her head. "I wouldn't know what to look for."
>"Maybe something like, a hole in the world?" the ranger captain suggests.
>Ranka smiles. "That's a pretty line. She do writing for that newspaper of yours?" she asks you.
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>"Not really, but maybe I ought to let her have some article space. I guess the best thing to do would be to look for things that are really weird, then trying to narrow down what makes them weird."
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>"Not really, but maybe I ought to let her have some article space. I guess the best thing to do would be to look for things that are really weird, then trying to narrow down what makes them weird."
>Ranka looks doubtful. "I can try."
>"We'd appreciate it." Momiji says. Ranka's eyes go a bit distant and she slows a bit. Momiji however, does not. She seems a little worried. "I've just had a thought, Hatate."
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> "What's up, buttercup?"
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> "What's up, buttercup?"
>"Something Ranka said made me think. About Aya's connection to the book, like she said. Aya might not need to communicate with other Tengu. The book could interpret what we're about to do as a threat all on its own, if it's reading Aya. Even with Ranka's help, it's possible we could be threatened by this world's inhabitants anyway."
-
>"It might, but if that's the case, anything we do is going to be a threat that'll set it off."
-
>"It might, but if that's the case, anything we do is going to be a threat that'll set it off."
>"I doubt we've done anything so far. But I just wanted to mention the possibility to you. I'd rather neither of us be caught off guard if we can help it."
-
>"Right. I'm sure you can take down as many of these lapsed fake tengu as she can think up."
-
>"Right. I'm sure you can take down as many of these lapsed fake tengu as she can think up."
>"Well, maybe. But not if the other me shows up. That one's had a few years training on me. You might actually be better suited to take her on than me."
-
>Nod.
>"I'll take her picture so hard."
-
>Nod.
>"I'll take her picture so hard."
>At your bold declaration, Momiji can't help but laugh. As she does, Ranka's eyes refocus on you and your comrade. "No, I can't feel anything that might be a way out of this world. Well, unless it's at the Cobalt Keep, I can't read that place."
-
>"Alright, thanks Ranka."
>Let's keep going for the goal.
-
>"Alright, thanks Ranka."
>Let's keep going for the goal.
>With Momiji offering no further warnings, and Ranka offering neither additional philosophical debate or flirtation, you spend the rest of your journey musing over just what you want to say to Aya when you get to her. You're still a bit upset over the situation you're in, but you find yourself more curious than upset. If Celes is right, and the changes to the Tengu society are the result of what Aya desired, then what exactly was it that drove her to want such drastic changes? Momiji's one of her closest friends, and she's at a loss to explain it. And you're an investigative genius, if you do say so herself, but why Aya would desire this kind of world is a big mystery to you, too.
>You are certain, though, that one way or the other, you are going to get through to her and snap her back to her senses. Whether she wants your help or not.
>You cover the remaining distance easily and quickly, and you find Twilight's club coming into range in short order. Even from the outside, it is a very upscale establishment, standing out from the surrounding buildings, which is not an easy thing to do in this Dai-tengu neighborhood. Whatever else has changed, the Dai-tengu still field the wealthiest looking buildings and homes among all the tengu. At Momiji's request, Ranka vanishes into the wind before you get too close to the building, to further reduce the chances of Aya detecting her presence. That and you both know that she wouldn't want to spend too much time indoors anyway.
>Outside the white-washed doors, there stands a blue haired Dai-tengu standing as doorman. She nods your way and beckons the two of you over.
-
>Stride over like we own the damn place.
-
>Stride over like we own the damn place.
>The doorman bows her head at your approach. "Good day to you, Himekaidou-san." says the well dressed Dai-tengu. "I was told you might stop by. Shameimaru-san is expecting you." Politely, she pushes the door open for you.
>"And Inubashiri-sama." the doorman continues, bowing deeper to the White Wolf. "Shameimaru-san wanted me to tell you that she has had prepared the outfits she spoke to you about before."
>Momiji winces. "Thank you." she says shortly.
-
>Heh heh HEH!
>Nod to the doorwoman, try not to think about how weird and wrong it is, and head inside and make toward that bit where we expect to find Aya.
-
>Heh heh HEH!
>Nod to the doorwoman, try not to think about how weird and wrong it is, and head inside and make toward that bit where we expect to find Aya.
>The scene inside the door reveals a very mature feeling interior. The dark purple carpet compliments the mahogany walls, and fine art hangs from each of the walls. The single room has many circular tables arrayed in front of a stage, where a dignified Long-Nose coaxes a jazzy piece from a baby grand piano. Other instruments are in evidence, an electric guitar, a bass, drums and a horn, and you wonder if you may have missed a band. A long wooden bar along along the length of the west wall, and a bespectacled grey-haired Dai-tengu mans it, polishing a glass with care.
>The room is not well populated, with a pair of well-dressed young Dai-tengu ladies sitting at the bar, gigging and sharing what appear to be cosmo's, while a party consisting blonde White Wolf, a brunette Crow Tengu and a rose-haired Yamabushi sit together, working over an array of Japanese food items.
>Your eyes do not take long to seek out the figure of the woman you came seeking. Aya Shameimaru sits at a table alone, a book in her hand and a glass of red wine on the table in front of her. During her time in this world, Aya's grown her hair out longer, letting it fall down her back to between her shoulder blades. Instead of her usual ensemble, Aya currently sports a moderately revealingly cut black dress that comes down to her thighs. Black stockings coming out of high heeled shoes conceal much of the rest of her legs, and a green choker with white filligree encircles her neck. You've never seen her look like this before. You've never really noticed before, but she really is a beauty.
-
>Yeesh...
>Oh well, if we have to beat her down, this'll make it easier.
>"Aya, c'mon! We gotta go! Big deal happening!"
>_
-
I've already forgotten all of the ideas I've previously floated for anything regarding this encounter. The thing I'm irritated the most about right now is how Aya threw in the towel on the journalism competition, because there's no point in Hatate pushing herself if her rival has quit (and before Hatate could properly claim the top spot, no less).
Are you thinking about dragging Aya to Cobalt Keep, or just getting her out of the public eye before ranting/beating her up?
-
Just getting her out of the public eye.
-
Okay, makes sense. I kinda wonder about the possibility of dragging her to the Cobalt Keep, but that can come later, if it's even a good idea at all.
-
>Yeesh...
>Oh well, if we have to beat her down, this'll make it easier.
>"Aya, c'mon! We gotta go! Big deal happening!"
>_
>Your shout echoes around the room, causing everyone to look up from what they were doing in surprise. Except Momiji. She simply winces at your outburst.
>Aya, for her part, smiles when she sees you. "Still as enthusiastic as ever, I see." she says dryly.
-
>"Less words, more getting on the move! We don't have time!"
-
>"Less words, more getting on the move! We don't have time!"
>Aya chuckles at your exuberance, but asks seriously, "Are you sure you need me? It's nearly my time to perform."
>"You perform here?" Momiji starts. "You didn't mention that before."
>"I did say that I sang here and there these days." Aya corrects. "By here, I included here."
-
>"Yes I know this has been taken into account and weighed and this this more important, now come on we're losing time!"
-
>"Yes I know this has been taken into account and weighed and this this more important, now come on we're losing time!"
>"Can I at least get my camera?" she asks with a short laugh.
-
>"Yes! Move!"
-
>"Yes! Move!"
>With a nod, Aya stands, but does not leave right away. Instead, she looks at the bartender. "You don't mind, Sal?"
>The old man harumphs, but gives her a nod. "You'll make it up to us later."
>"But of course." she assures him with a bow, then flaps her wings and flies off out the door in the northeast corner of the room.
>"You could have tried being subtle." Momiji whispers once people have stopped staring at you.
-
>Whisper back, hopefully outside of tengu senses.
>"Subtle invites her to try to be clever. This makes it look like there's a big deal and there's no time for arguing."
-
>Whisper back, hopefully outside of tengu senses.
>"Subtle invites her to try to be clever. This makes it look like there's a big deal and there's no time for arguing."
>"But we also wanted to avoid attention from other tengu." Momiji counters.
-
"Yeah, but that wasn't going to happen somewhere that crowded. Even if we took her without a word, there'd be gossip like crazy."
-
"Yeah, but that wasn't going to happen somewhere that crowded. Even if we took her without a word, there'd be gossip like crazy."
>Momiji frowns, but doesn't argue. "Well, I suppose it's done now, come what may."
>At that point, Aya returns to the room, her old-fashioned camera in hand and satchel slung over her shoulder. "So, where's the fire?" she asks.
-
>"This way."
>Leave, take to the air, and head toward the lower mountain regions. Scout out a good place to land.
-
>"This way."
>Leave, take to the air, and head toward the lower mountain regions. Scout out a good place to land.
>Aya bids a farewell to the other patrons of Twilight's, then heads out of the building behind you. The three of you take to the skies, setting a course southwest, towards the out of the way dried up spring that Momiji mentioned.
>Curiously, Aya doesn't actually speak during travel. Rather unusual for her. Given the impression you hope you'd given her, you'd expect her to have a number of curiosities towards this supposed big scoop you've corralled her into. Then again, given the effect this world seems to have had on her, she may have gone soft, let her journalistic instincts atrophy. That, you hope, is not the case. It would be very dissatisfying.
>As you fly on beyond Tengu territory, the silence becomes more and more acutely awkward. You're not the worrying sort, but a part of you starts to wonder if Aya might be on to you. She's a clever old bird, even if you'd rather not admit that, and certainly not to her face.
>At a point a couple dozen miles beyond the closest tengu border post, where a small river joins with three others to form a small pond in a grassy field popular for fishing among both tengu and kappa, Momiji suddenly declares, "It's filled again?"
>"What is, 'miji?" Aya asks her.
>The White Wolf looks abashed at her sudden declaration, and gives you a brief apologetic look before answering Aya, "That, uh, that little spring we found-"
>"Oh, that." the elder Crow answers with an easy smile. "Yeah, filled in a few years back. Funny story there- Oh, is that where you were taking me, Hatate?"
-
>"Yeah."
>Descend.
-
>"Yeah."
>Descend.
>The spring is still some distance away. Momiji must have spotted it with those telegnostic eyes of hers. So you fly on a bit. Fortunately, this time there is something to distract Aya, as Momiji asks, "How'd that happen?"
>"Well, we thought it dried up on its own, like these things do now and then. But 'round four years ago, a couple of oni were doing some digging above the spring, and they found the underground river that fed the spring. Turns out the water flow just got blocked by a huge block of jade that fell on the river. Once they moved that block, the water started flowing again, and hey presto, we got our spring back. They even made this necklace for me with some of that jade." she adds, her fingers carressing the finely carved represnntation of a crow in flight around her neck.
>"Why would they do that?" Momiji asks, puzzled.
>"That's what I asked them, too. Turns out the oni have a pretty deep sense of gratitude that no one ever talked about. They said, they never would have found the jade they were looking for if I hadn't made that deal with Yuugi, and they wouldn't take no for an answer."
>Momiji nods. "So, these oni. Do they use the spring?"
>"I don't think so, 'least not regularly. They were more interested in the metal and stone around there. Not that they could do much that way, the kappa were really scared their mining would mess up the waters on the mountain. But they seem content with what they got." She gives Momiji a smile. "And I asked them not to tell too many people about the spring. It used to be our place. I wanted to keep it that way if I could."
>The White Wolf returns her smile. "I'm glad. I've missed that spring."
>Their conversation takes you up to your destination, a rather picturesque little lake fed by a waterfall. The terrain is on the rocky side, but the stones are clean and white, and the grass between them is dotted by pink and yellow flowers. The scent of spring fills the area. Surrounding tall trees offer concealment for any who would enjoy the pond. It's not difficult to see why Aya and Momiji wanted to keep the place to themselves. It's a nice place to get away from people.
>"So." Aya says as you descend towards the waterside. "You want to tell me what we're really doing out here, Hatate?"
-
>Motion for her to follow, and descend.
>Also, how does Aya feel, winds-wise?
-
>Motion for her to follow, and descend.
>Also, how does Aya feel, winds-wise?
>The feeling of her wind seems to fit with how Ranka described it. You can sense her, but not as strongly as you could normally. It is as though she's only half there. Less than half, really.
>"What do you mean?" Momiji asks her as the three of you descend.
>"This was her idea." Aya replies as she touches down. "You're a terrible liar, 'Miji, so you never would have tried to get me out here without being honest about it. Now, Hatate, on the other wing..."
-
>"We need to talk. You've forgotten, haven't you?"
-
>"We need to talk. You've forgotten, haven't you?"
>Aya breathes a sigh of relief. "That's a pleasant surprise. I was afraid you were going to start shouting at me." Smiling easily now, she adds, "You'll need to be more specific, I'm afraid."
-
>"You forgot who I am."
-
>"You forgot who I am."
>"Cryptic really isn't your style, you know."
-
>"Take a closer look, Aya."
-
>"Take a closer look, Aya."
>Aya's smile becomes a bit more forced. "Are you actually going somewhere with this?"
-
>"Do you think I would have drug you out here for nothing? Take a closer look, Aya."
-
>"Do you think I would have drug you out here for nothing? Take a closer look, Sakuya."
>Aya snorts out a chuckle. "Have I suddenly developed a new suite of powers between Twilight's and here?"
-
>Aya snorts out a chuckle. "Have I suddenly developed a new suite of powers between Twilight's and here?"
>"You've forgotten who I am. Take a closer look."
>_
-
Didn't someone comment that RealMiji's hair was different than BookMiji's (maybe BookMiji herself did)? I don't remember anyone noticing any visual differences between us and BookHata, so it might be worth pushing the Miji difference if the current path doesn't work.
-
I'm trying to get her to do the windy thing.
-
Oh, okay.
-
>"You've forgotten who I am. Take a closer look."
>_
>Aya sighs, then looks at Momiji. "Is this some kind of joke?"
>Momiji shakes her head solemnly. "No way."
>The crow shrugs then returns her attention to you. "Then if you'll get to the point? Otherwise I'm going back to Twilight's."
-
>"I am at the point. Do it, tell me what you see."
-
>"I am at the point. Do it, tell me what you see."
>Aya sighs again, plainly annoyed by your insistence. "You're Hatate Himekaidou." she says with exaggerated patience. "Happy now?"
-
>"Which?"
-
>"Which?"
>"The one that came with her?" Aya states, pointing at Momiji. "It's not like that was a great mystery, you know."
-
>"Good. So what does that mean?"
-
>"Good. So what does that mean?"
>"Either that you enjoy wasting my time, or you enjoy guessing games. I'm not sure which yet."
-
>"We've been looking for you, Aya. You've been missing for some weeks."
-
>"We've been looking for you, Aya. You've been missing for some weeks."
>"She told me." Aya replies, nodding at Momiji. "I have to admit, I did find myself a little surprised that you went looking for me. The way we were back in your time, I thought you'd have taken the chance to take over the post of head news Tengu."
-
>"As if I already haven't. Look at you, Aya, you've all but given up on it."
-
>"As if I already haven't. Look at you, Aya, you've all but given up on it."
>Aya snorts out a chuckle. "Gave up, my tailfeathers. The other you earned her position. Just as you will, one day. Well, at least I hope so." she adds, her smile wobbling a little. "Calling out a senior fellow journalist for a vague conversation isn't a very good step in that road."
-
"I'm talking about quite a bit more than that."
-
"I'm talking about quite a bit more than that."
>"Oh, we're finally getting to the point, are we."
-
>Shrug. "Well, I was trying to give you the chance to save yourself a little embarrassment now that you've been caught in the act, but I guess that's just expecting too much of you anymore."
-
>Shrug. "Well, I was trying to give you the chance to save yourself a little embarrassment now that you've been caught in the act, but I guess that's just expecting too much of you anymore."
>Aya sighs deeply. "You know, I was actually looking forward to seeing you." she says dejectedly. "I hope you realize you've made me very disappointed."
-
>"Oh, you're disappointed?"
-
>"Oh, you're disappointed?"
>"I was expecting curiouity, questions, passion. Not this. Frankly, Hatate, I've got better ways to use my time. So, if you'll excuse me, I'll get back to them." And with that, Aya turns away from you and starts to walk away.
-
>"Oh, running away yet again?"
-
>"Oh, running away yet again?"
>"I have commitments I have to honor." Aya says, pausing to look back over her shoulder. "We all have things we could be doing other than standing here listening to you say nothing. If you've got a point, make it. Otherwise, I'm going back to apologize to Sal for running out for what turned out to be nothing."
-
>"Okay, if you really need me to spell everything out for you like a child."
>"Cross arms.
>"You ran away from your home, your friends, your obligations, and everyone who ever gave half a damn about you shame yourself among a bunch of imaginary people where you imagined your own people turning into a horrible debased parody of themselves. You've become more shameful and despicable than any corrupt Dai-tengu. So yeah, go back to your imaginary club, apologize to some fake Sal, and wiggle your ass for a bunch of figments while telling yourself how totally great it'd be if Tsubaki got treated in ways no tengu ever should have and great it'd be sell out the people you don't like back to the oni. While the actual Tsubaki which really exists was raiding your home just this morning. So, that clear enough for you?"
-
>"Okay, if you really need me to spell everything out for you like a child."
>"Cross arms.
>"You ran away from your home, your friends, your obligations, and everyone who ever gave half a damn about you shame yourself among a bunch of imaginary people where you imagined your own people turning into a horrible debased parody of themselves. You've become more shameful and despicable than any corrupt Dai-tengu. So yeah, go back to your imaginary club, apologize to some fake Sal, and wiggle your ass for a bunch of figments while telling yourself how totally great it'd be if Tsubaki got treated in ways no tengu ever should have and great it'd be sell out the people you don't like back to the oni. While the actual Tsubaki which really exists was raiding your home just this morning. So, that clear enough for you?"
>At the conclusion of your explosive rant, Aya turns slowly back to face you. And smiles. "Now THAT'S more like it." she exclaims.
>Momiji's jaw drops. "'That's more like it'?" she gapes.
>The elder crow nods. "Passion. That's the thing I admire most about Hatate, any of her. I was starting to get worried, thought this one might have misplaced it or something." She points her finger vaguely at you. "Now this, this is more like the Hatate I know I love. She got a beef, and she's not afraid to say it. I like that."
-
>"I was trying to get you to show something like shame and maybe give me a reason to have something like hope for you yet."
-
>"I was trying to get you to show something like shame and maybe give me a reason to have something like hope for you yet."
>"I'd consider it, if what you were saying made sense." She places a finger to her lips as she smiles. "Unless you're branching into fiction? You'd probably be pretty good at it, too."
-
>"There's a whole lot of fiction, and none of it's us. Haven't you noticed that we feel different than everyone else here?"
-
>"There's a whole lot of fiction, and none of it's us. Haven't you noticed that we feel different than everyone else here?"
>"That's only normal, isn't it? You and Momiji aren't from here. Or that blood doll you came here with."
-
>"No, you idiot! It's because they're imaginary! They don't have proper wind to them because there's no proper wind for them to have!"
-
>"No, you idiot! It's because they're imaginary! They don't have proper wind to them because there's no proper wind for them to have!"
>Aya's smile does not waver. "You do realize how that sounds, right?"
-
>"Yeah, what do I know? I just came from the actual world, which even you acknowledged is a thing, and just happen to know the person who owns that stupid book we got sucked into. Couldn't possibly have any idea what I'm talking about."
-
>"Yeah, what do I know? I just came from the actual world, which even you acknowledged is a thing, and just happen to know the person who owns that stupid book we got sucked into. Couldn't possibly have any idea what I'm talking about."
>"Still have your sass, as well, I see." Aya remarks. "And I never denied you're not from this world. But you will admit." She tugs at the skirt of her black dress. "They sew pretty well for imaginary tengu, don't they."
>Momiji snickers, but says nothing.
-
>"Well, yeah, not as though you didn't imagine them up that way. But you sure are working hard to skirt around the other points, aren't you?"
-
>"Well, yeah, not as though you didn't imagine them up that way. But you sure are working hard to skirt around the other points, aren't you?"
>Aya chuckles. "So I have the power to make a whole world, do I?" She rolls her head in exaggerated surprise. "Well, that sure would've coming in handy a lot of years ago."
-
>"You got caught in that cursed book, you moron. It's doing this to trap you, and it worked!"
-
>"You got caught in that cursed book, you moron. It's doing this to trap you, and it worked!"
>"So first I imagined this world into being, then some magic book did it?"
-
>"Stop being willfully dense, geez! The stupid book is doing and its using your stupid ideas! Do you really think tengu would ever be okay with selling out their own people to the oni?"
-
>"Stop being willfully dense, geez! The stupid book is doing and its using your stupid ideas! Do you really think tengu would ever be okay with selling out their own people to the oni?"
>"Well, given that it happened...."
-
>"It didn't happen! This isn't real! It happened because you imagined it, and that's why I'm so mad at you! How could you think that!?"
-
>"It didn't happen! This isn't real! It happened because you imagined it, and that's why I'm so mad at you! How could you think that!?"
>"If this isn't real, then why are you two here? Well never mind, I can imagine why you'd be here, Hatate, curiousity. But how?"
-
>"It was that stupid book, you saw it, right? You look at it and it captures you?"
-
>"It was that stupid book, you saw it, right? You look at it and it captures you?"
>"I've seen a lot of books in my day." She sighs slightly. "Especially after Patchy gave me the long tour of her library. Me and my big mouth. But even she didn't have a book like that."
-
>"This one is cursed or something, it came from the Cobalt Keep. Celes is the one who knows about it, you remember her, right?"
-
>"This one is cursed or something, it came from the Cobalt Keep. Celes is the one who knows about it, you remember her, right?"
>She nods. "She didn't say where she was from, though. And it doesn't help your case if you're right. Nothing comes from there except bad news. Which means she was probably lying about it, if that's what she claims."
-
>"No, the keep has some pretty cool people there. You're thinking of the fake one here, I mean the real one."
-
>"No, the keep has some pretty cool people there. You're thinking of the fake one here, I mean the real one."
>"It's true." Momiji adds. "We've heard all kinds of bad things about the Keep here, too, but the Keep where we come from isn't a bad place at all. Celes, and the others who live there, are all good people, welcomed to Gensokyo." A bit more quietly, she adds, "Well, after a little misunderstanding."
>That makes Aya smile again. "Yeah, well, that's only normal for Gensokyo. Let me guess, this was the kind of misunderstanding Reimu usually settles?"
-
>"Pretty much, though I guess it was the Scarlet Devil this time. And how'd you forget all this, you were there."
-
>"Pretty much, though I guess it was the Scarlet Devil this time. And how'd you forget all this, you were there."
>"What, at the Keep?" Aya looks startled. "Not on your life. Even I wouldn't get within a mile of that place, ANY Keep."
-
>We're not imagining this, right? People did say she was there after the incident?
>If this is correct: "No, you were there, they all told me you were, you were looking into the whole night of rage thing."
-
>We're not imagining this, right? People did say she was there after the incident?
>If this is correct: "No, you were there, they all told me you were, you were looking into the whole night of rage thing."
>Correct. Both Momiji and multiple residents of the Keep confirmed that Aya had been there investigating the Night of Rage.
>"But that never happened here. That's one of the things that's different between your world and this one."
-
>"Who cares about that? I'm talking about the real world, you dope. Celes is from there too!"
-
>"Who cares about that? I'm talking about the real world, you dope. Celes is from there too!"
>Aya lets out a long breath. "You know what, Hatate, I'm starting to get tired of you insulting me like that. I didn't come all the way out here to listen to you call me names."
-
>"Fine, whatever, sorry. Now let's get back on topic."
-
>"Fine, whatever, sorry. Now let's get back on topic."
>Aya nods, seemingly satisfied. "Yes. You keep insisting that this is some kind of fake world. But you have to admit, Hatate, that is a bit hard to swallow." she says, sounding rather reasonable about the affair.
-
>"Okay, there's like a bunch ways you can figure out I know what I'm talking about.. First, it doesn't even make sense for there to be more than one Gensokyo. Second, try to think back to how you even ended up here. Third, haven't you noticed the wind for everyone but me and Momiji and stuff is completely wrong? Fourth, the tengu here don't even act like tengu, and that should make you really suspicious!"
-
>"Okay, there's like a bunch ways you can figure out I know what I'm talking about.. First, it doesn't even make sense for there to be more than one Gensokyo. Second, try to think back to how you even ended up here. Third, haven't you noticed the wind for everyone but me and Momiji and stuff is completely wrong? Fourth, the tengu here don't even act like tengu, and that should make you really suspicious!"
>"Let me start with your first point." Aya says as she steps towards one of the large boulders near the water. "It actually does make sense. Have you ever heard of the theory of alternate realities?" she asks as she sits down on the stone.
-
>"No it doesn't make sense because that means there's more than one Yukari, and she'd never stand for that."
-
>"No it doesn't make sense because that means there's more than one Yukari, and she'd never stand for that."
>Aya chuckles. "Knowing Yukari-sama, she'd probably find it fascinating."
-
>"Only if she's the one that wins. Which means the other loses and wouldn't like it at all. But yeah, too many Yukaris disproves that one pretty handily."
-
>"Only if she's the one that wins. Which means the other loses and wouldn't like it at all. But yeah, too many Yukaris disproves that one pretty handily."
>"I don't agree." Aya says with a shake of her head. "I think it's safe to say I know Yukari a bit better than you do, and I don't think she'd dismiss the idea out of hand."
>"At least the Yukari you know." Momiji counters.
>"Good point. Stands to reason that every Yukari isn't the same." The black haired crow ponders that for a moment. "Are the tengu still frightened of Yukari where you two come from?" she asks you.
-
"You tell me. You're from there. And then you can stop trying to change the subject."
-
"You tell me. You're from there. And then you can stop trying to change the subject."
>"I haven't. Like I said, I'm taking your arguement one at a time. You believe that the idea of there being multiple Yukaris make this world impossible. I don't agree." Aya presses her fingers together as she continues, "Now, I am willing to admit that some Yukari's might forbid travel between their Gensokyo and others, and vice versa. And she would have the power to do it, and if she couldn't, Ran could. Which is why I asked about your Yukari, to see if she'd be one of those."
-
>"There is literally no way Yukari could get along with herself. But that's beside the point, you're from our world, since you're real unlike most of the stuff here."
-
>"There is literally no way Yukari could get along with herself. But that's beside the point, you're from our world, since you're real unlike most of the stuff here."
>Aya sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. She breathes a quiet "Okay." before looking back up at you. "Just for the sake of arguement, let's say you're right. Why then are you trying so hard to convince me that this world is some kind of lie?"
-
>"Because it's a lie? Because you're living a lie?"
-
>"Because it's a lie? Because you're living a lie?"
>Aya's smile changes slightly, becoming something devoid of humor. "You say that like it's a change from the past thousand years."
-
>"Yes? Yes it is? It's a huge change because nothing here is real and it's designed to trap you into doing nothing but dancing with illusions? Unlike back home where you deal with real people who are real? This isn't hard, Aya."
-
>"Yes? Yes it is? It's a huge change because nothing here is real and it's designed to trap you into doing nothing but dancing with illusions? Unlike back home where you deal with real people who are real? This isn't hard, Aya."
>"So this world somehow can trap me, but not you two? How does that work?"
-
"Because we had Celes, who recognized all this and warned us away from it."
-
"Because we had Celes, who recognized all this and warned us away from it."
>"She's an expert on this sort of thing?"
>"She seems to be." Momiji answers. "Evidently, she and the people she lives with have been finding and disarming traps like these for centuries, and they still haven't found them all."
>"Not a bad one to miss." Aya says, her smile returning. "If you two're right, then this is probably the second most benign trap I've ever seen."
-
>"Yeah, tricking people into never leaving a cage is real benign."
-
>"Yeah, tricking people into never leaving a cage is real benign."
>"As compared to finding an army of youkai haters armed with weapons unheard of and terrible magics on the inside of the trap?" Aya counters.
-
>"Or eleventy million billion yens. It's real dumb to just make up whatever as hypothetical."
-
>"Or eleventy million billion yens. It's real dumb to just make up whatever as hypothetical."
>"All I'm saying is that as far as traps go, it could have been worse." She chuckles ruefully. "Hell, I've been caught in worse myself."
-
>"Well, not yet. You escaped those other ones."
-
>"Well, not yet. You escaped those other ones."
>"Yeah." Aya says sadly. "Well. Some of them."
-
>"Well, escaped good enough to go home when it was done. But you know what I mean."
-
>"Well, escaped good enough to go home when it was done. But you know what I mean."
>"I'm still not sure though why you're trying to get me to go along with this idea, though." Aya says, looking puzzled. "Even if I'm trapped, as you say, I'm not in any danger. Did you think you needed my help to find your way back to your world?"
-
>"Probably not, but...because you're trapped? Because you used to be my friend? And you're still a tengu?"
-
>"Probably not, but...because you're trapped? Because you used to be my friend? And you're still a tengu?"
>"We also don't know if you are safe." Momiji states. "According to Celes, these traps can suck away at someone's soul. You could end up being trapped here forever. This book could turn you into just another character. Aya Shameimaru would be gone forever."
>The puzzlement on Aya's face turns to a warm smile. "You always did worry about me, Momiji. Even before I called you friend. And you too, Hatate, you have a good heart. And you've both got good heads on your shoulders, too. If there's a way back to your home, you'll find it."
-
>"You're doing that dancing around the topic thing again."
-
>"You're doing that dancing around the topic thing again."
>"Some people can't take a compliment." Aya says with a chuckle. "All right, look. You're obviously convinced that this world is some kind of fake. But I don't think you're as convinced that it's a threat beyond just being a box, am I right?"
-
>"Being fake it bad enough, why even worry about more than that?"
-
>"Being fake it bad enough, why even worry about more than that?"
>"Because I'm not convinced it is fake. So I'm not actually worried at all."
-
"Except for all the fake stuff like tengu cheerfully spitting on their ancestors, going into a civil war, and selling out their own people to oni enslavement, yeah. Oh, and the fact that none of them have any wind to them at all like we do."
-
"Except for all the fake stuff like tengu cheerfully spitting on their ancestors, going into a civil war, and selling out their own people to oni enslavement, yeah. Oh, and the fact that none of them have any wind to them at all like we do."
>"There was nothing cheerful about it, kid." Aya says sharply. "I think the only one who was happy about the fighting was Tsubaki, since it gave her a chance to take a swing at me. She's wanted to do that for centuries, ever since I busted up one of her schemes. She just wasn't allowed to." Aya smiles a bitter smile. "I was Tenma's favourite slave, after all."
>"And we've been over the wind thing. Just because you can't sense it doesn't mean it isn't there. It's probably just a different wind from your world."
-
>"No, the only one happy was you. Because you put your support behind it and you haven't even started to show even a drop of remorse like a decent tengu. You hated Tsubaki, and you imagined her messing up so bad you could justify backing an atrocity like that. Oh, by the way, the actual real Tsubaki was raiding your stuff, me and Momiji caught her in the act."
-
>"No, the only one happy was you. Because you put your support behind it and you haven't even started to show even a drop of remorse like a decent tengu. You hated Tsubaki, and you imagined her messing up so bad you could justify backing an atrocity like that. Oh, by the way, the actual real Tsubaki was raiding your stuff, me and Momiji caught her in the act."
>Aya scowls blackly, but visibly stops herself from saying something. Plainly, you have struck a nerve or two.
-
>"Sparrow got your tongue?"
-
>"Sparrow got your tongue?"
>Aya's eyes narrow. "You claimed that you were my friend. If that was true, you'd never have said what you just did. I don't care who you are, or where you're from, but you don't get to stand there and judge me. You don't know anything."
-
>"No, I get to judge you a whole lot, because abandoned everything that makes a tengu be something other than some youkai.
>Spread arms. "Because I'm sure what our people really need is civil war, mas betrayal, and selling out our own. That's what'll really make our make on the world, mimicking all the human vices! That's the path of improvement! How about we start cutting hands next?"
-
>"No, I get to judge you a whole lot, because abandoned everything that makes a tengu be something other than some youkai.
>Spread arms. "Because I'm sure what our people really need is civil war, mas betrayal, and selling out our own. That's what'll really make our make on the world, mimicking all the human vices! That's the path of improvement! How about we start cutting hands next?"
>"Okay, you know what?" Aya says, getting to her feet. "I'm done with you. I've indulged your little fantasies and theories, but you've just crossed a line. I don't think I care to talk to you anymore."
-
> Is Momizi in our current line of sight enough for us to tell how she's taking this?
> Are we capable of feeling our own wind?
-
> Is Momizi in our current line of sight enough for us to tell how she's taking this?
> Are we capable of feeling our own wind?
>She's been standing just behind you and to your right all this time. You'd need to turn your head a little to see her face.
>You are. At least until normal circumstances. You haven't tried to feel your own place in the wind since you arrived here.
-
>"So you're gonna run away again, like you've run from everything else? Can't deal with it when you have a Hatate who doesn't just knuckle under to you, huh? Hell, I bet you've probably convinced yourself there wasn't even another Aya by this point."
-
>"So you're gonna run away again, like you've run from everything else? Can't deal with it when you have a Hatate who doesn't just knuckle under to you, huh? Hell, I bet you've probably convinced yourself there wasn't even another Aya by this point."
>"For your information, you arrogant little snot, the other Hatate is a better jornalist than I ever was. She's surpassed me, and I'm proud of her for it. And I intend to tell her not to waste any of her time on you. She's got better things to do. So why don't you go bother someone else for a while?"
-
>"Well, it's not hard for you to imagine someone better than you, it's a not much of a bar to clear. I like how you're ignoring the other part, too, like you think it'll just go away."
-
>"Well, it's not hard for you to imagine someone better than you, it's a not much of a bar to clear. I like how you're ignoring the other part, too, like you think it'll just go away."
>Aya gives you a very sour smile. "And now I know for sure she's better than you, too. See, she can keep her ego under control. That's a skill you should work on. I had to get to the top, and it got to my head. She earned her way to the top, and she didn't let it get to her head. Here's a tip on how to start, try doing some investigating before jumping to conclusions."
-
Girls are looking for that exact quote I mentioned earlier, please wait warmly~
-
>"No no, there's investigation involved, you're just mad that it's kind of revealed you're a not that hot. Also, you're kind of a bad liar, because I've talked to the other Hatate and she didn't say anything like you just did, rather she just parroted a bunch of ego-puffing crap about you."
-
> Hold up on that, trying something else.
> "I already did. I talked to the other me. She outright admitted that she's still not as good as you."
-
>"No no, there's investigation involved, you're just mad that it's kind of revealed you're a not that hot. Also, you're kind of a bad liar, because I've talked to the other Hatate and she didn't say anything like you just did, rather she just parroted a bunch of ego-puffing crap about you."
> Hold up on that, trying something else.
> "I already did. I talked to the other me. She outright admitted that she's still not as good as you."
>Your temper demands one reply, but another part of your brain suggests another. You go with the latter option.
>"That doesn't mean it's true. Ever heard of excessive modesty? Or do you spend too much time insulting people to learn about things like that?"
-
> Eyeroll.
> "Why would she lie to herself? And even if she was lying to me, if she wanted to show everyone that she was truly number 1, how can she possibly do that? Her entire race considers you their savior, and you've gone into semi-retirement. What can she do to compete with that?"
-
> Eyeroll.
> "Why would she lie to herself? And even if she was lying to me, if she wanted to show everyone that she was truly number 1, how can she possibly do that? Her entire race considers you their savior, and you've gone into semi-retirement. What can she do to compete with that?"
>"There's more than one way to compete with someone, you know. Sure, I had a hand in opening up all the doors the Dai-tengu had closed for our people, but she's the one who gets to investigate that world first. People go to her for jobs in journalism now, not me." Her smiles loses some of its acidity. "That doesn't mean people don't still come to me at all, but more go to her. Now if I was in her place, I'd be insufferable. My head'd be bigger than some houses. But not her. She's not only a better journalist than me, she's a better person than me. And the fact that she'd still praise me before singing her own praises makes that even more true."
-
> "She still got to where she is because you stepped aside. Do you have any idea how hollow that must feel?"
-
> "She still got to where she is because you stepped aside. Do you have any idea how hollow that must feel?"
>"I stepped aside after telling her to her face, 'You're number one.' I didn't need to compete with her anymore. She'd won. And to this day, I couldn't tell you which one of us was happier for it. Seeing her rise to the top was one of the only pure joys I had from being a journalist. If there ever was a time to let someone else have the crown, that was it. And I hope she'll be just as happy when she finds some bright-eyed kid with all the talent in the world who wants to be who she is, like I was when I saw her break into the world."
-
> "And did she ever tell you how she took that? How that conversation finally convinced her that no, you were better, and how it made her physically ill to admit it?"
-
> "And did she ever tell you how she took that? How that conversation finally convinced her that no, you were better, and how it made her physically ill to admit it?"
>"What are you talking about?" Aya demands.
-
> "You can ask her yourself if you don't believe me. But she told me about that talk, and how it made her realize that you got to where you were for a reason. And that's the thing. You can go ahead and tell her you think whatever of her, but her being number one by your standards doesn't matter if she's not number one by her own standards."
-
> "You can ask her yourself if you don't believe me. But she told me about that talk, and how it made her realize that you got to where you were for a reason. And that's the thing. You can go ahead and tell her you think whatever of her, but her being number one by your standards doesn't matter if she's not number one by her own standards."
>"Look Hatate, I'm happy that we're actually talking now instead of just shouting at each other, but do you really think you know this Hatate as well as I do?" she asks, genuinely curious, rather than angry. "Not once have I ever seen her express that kind of opinion, either out loud or otherwise. I may not be the Tengu star journalist anymore, but I can still read people."
-
> "I know what I heard her tell me."
> Cross our arms if we aren't already, but don't change tone.
> "Are you prepared to call me a liar?"
-
> "I know what I heard her tell me."
> Cross our arms if we aren't already, but don't change tone.
> "Are you prepared to call me a liar?"
>"You've accused me of worse today." Aya counters.
-
> "I'm not hearing a 'no'."
-
> "I'm not hearing a 'no'."
>"I've also heard you jump to a lot of conclusions during this argument, Hatate. I doubt the other Hatate lied to you, but I also know her, and I know she isn't unsatisfied. But despite everything you've said today, you're still a Hatate, so maybe I can still give you the benefit of the doubt in this case. Maybe you misunderstood something she said, or she didn't tell you the whole story." Aya chuckles once, shortly. "Maybe we both have something to ask her the next time we see her."
-
> "You're perfectly welcome to ask her yourself, then. But ultimately, that's less important. I told you that everything that's happened to our land here happened because that's what you wanted it all to be, didn't I?"
> Point back in the direction of the village without actually averting our gaze.
> "That Hatate back there, the one that up and told me that you were the best, and has just come to accept it? That's your ideal of me."
-
> "You're perfectly welcome to ask her yourself, then. But ultimately, that's less important. I told you that everything that's happened to our land here happened because that's what you wanted it all to be, didn't I?"
> Point back in the direction of the village without actually averting our gaze.
> "That Hatate back there, the one that up and told me that you were the best, and has just come to accept it? That's your ideal of me."
>"My 'ideal' version of you is the one that beat me at my own game. And she's proud of it, but not too proud. Because unlike me, she knows how to keep things from going to her head too much. Giving me my due for the skills that I earned doesn't mean she sells herself short." She pauses and makes a face. "What exactly did she even say to you? You make her sound like you think she's some sort of... beaten puppy or something. Uh... no offense, 'miji."
>"None taken." the White Wolf replies.
-
> "But your ideal version of me isn't based on what would make me happy, it's only based on what would make you happy! Do you really think I'd want anything just handed to me?"
-
> "But your ideal version of me isn't based on what would make me happy, it's only based on what would make you happy! Do you really think I'd want anything just handed to me?"
>"Haven't you been listening? I didn't 'hand' her anything. She earned the place and prestige she has. And why shouldn't that make me happy, I'd been hoping she'd do that ever since you followed me into the Underworld all those years ago."
-
>Do we have the power to fake photographs via spirit photography? Or can we only take pictures of things that have actually happened at some point in history?
-
> "Your idea of me earning anything includes being surprised I didn't ditch you in this prison world forever in favor of cornering the news market in reality."
-
> "Your idea of me earning anything includes being surprised I didn't ditch you in this prison world forever in favor of cornering the news market in reality."
>"I doubt you'd protest if I called you ambitious. There was an opportunity there. I'd hardly blame you for taking it."
>Do we have the power to fake photographs via spirit photography? Or can we only take pictures of things that have actually happened at some point in history?
>Hitherto, you've only ever taken pictures of past events. You've never tried to generate false images on your phone before. But you don't know that it's impossible.
-
> "And there's your problem. That's not an opportunity, that's a cowardly, undeserved path to a fictitious top! Why would you ever think I'd take that?"
-
> "And there's your problem. That's not an opportunity, that's a cowardly, undeserved path to a fictitious top! Why would you ever think I'd take that?"
>"Because you're ambitious?" she repeats.
-
> "I can't believe you think that little of me! What kind of soulless abomination do you take me for?"
-
> "I can't believe you think that little of me! What kind of soulless abomination do you take me for?"
>Aya winces. "Look, I'm... sorry, okay?"
-
> Take on an ever-so-slightly less accusational tone.
> "Yeesh. No wonder you thought I'd be happy with this."
-
> Take on an ever-so-slightly less accusational tone.
> "Yeesh. No wonder you thought I'd be happy with this."
>"Wh, what do you mean?" Aya asks, looking quite confused.
-
> Press the fingers of one hand against the side of our forehead, as if in frustration.
> "Look. I'm only ever gonna say this once, all right? This whole thing...if I wanted to see the world, or make some money, I could just do that. But that's too mechanical. There's no real point in doing this if there isn't someone else around to push you to be better than you are right now. Someone to push you, and someone you can push back on, to make sure they don't slack off or fall to the wayside."
-
> Press the fingers of one hand against the side of our forehead, as if in frustration.
> "Look. I'm only ever gonna say this once, all right? This whole thing...if I wanted to see the world, or make some money, I could just do that. But that's too mechanical. There's no real point in doing this if there isn't someone else around to push you to be better than you are right now. Someone to push you, and someone you can push back on, to make sure they don't slack off or fall to the wayside."
>"But she didn't need me anymore. She didn't need to compete against someone she was better than, and I didn't want to compete with her that way anymore. I wanted to revel in her success just as much as she wanted to have it."
-
> "She's also just a byproduct of what you think would make me happy. That's why I'm telling you that the reality is different. It's fundamentally important to have you there, even though I've known I'm better than you for a long time."
-
> "She's also just a byproduct of what you think would make me happy. That's why I'm telling you that the reality is different. It's fundamentally important to have you there, even though I've known I'm better than you for a long time."
>Aya seems stricken by your words. This makes you feel optimistic. She may be finally beginning to doubt the nature of this world. You just wish she didn't seem sad about it.
>After a moment, the dark haired Crow looks away from you, up at the cloudless sky. "... Too good to be true?" you hear her mutter.
-
> Give an uncertain frown.
> "Well...I bet you could do something even greater back in reality."
-
> Give an uncertain frown.
> "Well...I bet you could do something even greater back in reality."
>Aya looks back down then. Not at you, but at Momiji, still standing behind you. "Is that how you feel, too, 'Miji? Do you hate what you see here too?"
>The White Wolf steps forward, her honest face stern. "No, Aya, I don't hate the version of me in this world." Aya starts to smile at that, but it fades when Momiji continues, "But it isn't what I'd want for myself. I'm just a solider, not a leader. I never once wanted to be Shogun."
>Hot frustation flashes across Aya's face. "But nobody would be better at it than you! You can see that, too, right, Hatate? Momiji's the best shogun who'd never try to claim the title. Our people couldn't do any better than to have her defending them, leading our defenses."
-
> Take on a more understanding tone.
> "There'd be no one better if she wanted it. But if she doesn't, then that's it."
-
> Take on a more understanding tone.
> "There'd be no one better if she wanted it. But if she doesn't, then that's it."
>"I never wanted any power or rank." Momiji adds. "I do the best with what I've been given, but I don't want anymore." She takes a breath. "Maybe I would be good at it. But I can't imagine really being happy as shogun."
>Aya's mouth opens and closes, but no intelligent sounds escape it for a moment. Gently, Momiji speaks again to the stricken Aya, "You've always had nothing but praise for my skills as a soldier, and I can understand why you'd want me in charge of our army. But it's not what I want. You may think you have everything you ever wanted here, Aya, but I don't. And neither does Hatate. This world, this book, just gave you what you think we wanted for ourselves. It's your dreams come true, not ours."
>"Dreams come true..." Aya mutters again. She turns away from you both again, pressing one hand against her head and another against a large boulder, for support. "Dreams come true. Did I ever... Why didn't I think that before?
-
> "The book is really good at screwin' with your mind. And...for what it's worth, I don't think you did this malevolently. This may not be what I want for myself, but...thanks for thinking it is, at least."
-
> "The book is really good at screwin' with your mind. And...for what it's worth, I don't think you did this malevolently. This may not be what I want for myself, but...thanks for thinking it is, at least."
>Momiji nods her agreement.
>Aya seems to be mightily struggling with the dilemma you've presented her with. "But... I, I don't remember a book. I don't... This really isn't real?" she finally asks in a very quiet voice, like she doesn't want to accept it. You can actually see tears starting to pool in the corners of her eyes.
-
> Oh hell.
> Walk over to Aya and, if she doesn't resist, give her a gentle hug.
> "I'm sorry."
-
> Oh hell.
> Walk over to Aya and, if she doesn't resist, give her a gentle hug.
> "I'm sorry."
>You DID want her to come to her senses. But you were expecting anger, maybe even a fight. Not this.
>The elder crow doesn't resist at all. In fact, she nearly collapses into your arms, and openly weeps. Between her sobs, you hear her whisper. "I was finally happy. Really happy."
-
> Give her gentle pats on the back.
> "I'm sorry..."
-
> Give her gentle pats on the back.
> "I'm sorry..."
>Guilt is not an emotion you usually experience, at least not for any length of time. But you can't escape the sense of guilt you feel right now. You know you had to do this. If Celes is right, you may have saved Aya's life. But you never expected her to be so miserable as a result.
>It is nearly a full minute before Aya begins to collect herself, audibly trying to stem the flow of tears from her eyes. Eventually she asks you, bitterly, "Why did you do this? I was happy."
-
> "It's not worth dooming your soul."
-
> "It's not worth dooming your soul."
>Aya chokes out a bitter laugh."I'll get back to you on that."
-
> "No reason you can't do it again in reality. ...Well, do most of it again."
-
> "No reason you can't do it again in reality. ...Well, do most of it again."
>"Oh yes there is." Aya disagrees, pulling away from you. "The Dai-tengu would never let the Harmony happen. Not with so many Tengu there. I see that now. I can't believe I never wondered how that happened."
-
> "Then it happens without them. Not a huge loss, honestly."
-
> "Then it happens without them. Not a huge loss, honestly."
>Aya gives you a vaguely disgusted look, but it fades after a moment. Wearily, she asks, "So what now?"
-
> "Now? Now we wrangle up everyone that doesn't belong here, kick down the doors of the Cobalt Keep, get ourselves out of here, and make sure this never happens to anyone else."
-
> "Now? Now we wrangle up everyone that doesn't belong here, kick down the doors of the Cobalt Keep, get ourselves out of here, and make sure this never happens to anyone else."
>"'We?'"
-
>"We."
>"And thinking back to the Daitengu, there may be ways around them anyways. For instance, I wasn't lying about Tsubaki. Here, have a look..."
>Show her some of the pictures we took of Tsubaki breaking into her home, then rummaging around.
-
>"We."
>"And thinking back to the Daitengu, there may be ways around them anyways. For instance, I wasn't lying about Tsubaki. Here, have a look..."
>Show her some of the pictures we took of Tsubaki breaking into her home, then rummaging around.
>"I've been working around them for a millennium." Aya says with a sigh. "I'm tired of it."
>Still, she takes a look at your evidence of Tsubaki's burgling of her house. The Crow doesn't seem even a little surprise. "Yeah, she does that every now and then. Whenever she has a good excuse now, ever since I humiliated her the last time."
-
>"I suppose we'll just have to double team her, then. Don't you think we could use some of these to create a little uproar against the daitengu who have forgotten what their ancestors meant for them?"
-
>"I suppose we'll just have to double team her, then. Don't you think we could use some of these to create a little uproar against the daitengu who have forgotten what their ancestors meant for them?"
>"No. See, all she has to say is 'I had my reasons', and that'd be that. If you were even allowed to try and run a story like that, which you wouldn't be."
-
>"First, then have to stop me. Then they have to stop me from distributing it outside the village. And that's when the real humiliation is going to happen, because it's not just our private little shame anymore. Now it's an embarrassment to everyone."
-
>"First, then have to stop me. Then they have to stop me from distributing it outside the village. And that's when the real humiliation is going to happen, because it's not just our private little shame anymore. Now it's an embarrassment to everyone."
>"You'll never leave our territory. Not if they know you have anything that might be used against them, and they know." Aya sounds as miserable she did before. "That's life for a tengu."
-
>"Sure I will. You forget who we got on our side."
>Nod toward Momiji.
>"And this is where you come in. You follow up by making a story about the story."
-
>"Sure I will. You forget who we got on our side."
>Nod toward Momiji.
>"And this is where you come in. You follow up by making a story about the story."
>Aya shakes her head sadly. "No. You can't get one over on Tsubaki that way."
-
>"Oh, this isn't about just Tsubaki. It's about all of them. I want to force them into a situation where they have to separate the rice from the hull, and those dai-tengu who haven't shamed their ancestors must speak up."
-
>"Oh, this isn't about just Tsubaki. It's about all of them. I want to force them into a situation where they have to separate the rice from the hull, and those dai-tengu who haven't shamed their ancestors must speak up."
>Aya manages a smile, one full of bitterness. "Good on ya, girl." she utters. "It's nice to dream big." Then she sighs. "Enjoy it while you can. Eventually you'll learn that you're just as trapped as I am. As we all are."
-
>"You were trapped, maybe. But now you have me in your corner. And I'll bet Momiji as well. I don't think it'll be as hard to chip away the bad without ruining the good as you think. You're too pessimistic about your own people."
-
>"You were trapped, maybe. But now you have me in your corner. And I'll bet Momiji as well. I don't think it'll be as hard to chip away the bad without ruining the good as you think. You're too pessimistic about your own people."
>"You try living in a cage for more than twelve hundred years. See what that does to you."
-
>"Well you're never gonna get out of it thinking like that."
-
>"Well you're never gonna get out of it thinking like that."
>"I WAS out of it. Until you two showed up." She doesn't say that in an accusatory or sarcastic tone, merely the same kind of bitter resignation she's had for the past few minutes.
-
>"Were you, though?"
-
>"Were you, though?"
>Aya manages a bitter smile. "Everything I hated about our people is gone here. They're not afraid of non-tengu here. The Dai-tengu's control over them was broken. I was finally free to live the kind of life I wanted to. Everyone was, instead of having their lives decided for them, before they were even born. I didn't have to be Tenma's spy anymore. I could be a decent journalist, instead of the snoop sticking her camera everywhere, especially where it wasn't welcome. I was free to love. I could actually BE with her, instead of just being tolerated by her. Didn't have to watch out for the Dai's assassins, either, or worry that they'd try to marry me off for the eight time." She laughs a sour laugh and tosses her hair back. "This book must be really good at what it does. All of that, and I never imagined it was literally my dreams come true."
-
>"And as well, you had the tengu happily sell their own off to the oni, tear apart everything that sets us above the others, and are currently in the process of training up an actual army. If that's your heaven, it's no wonder no other tengu would want a part of it."
>"But...I do think you have a point with some of those things. Some things our ancestors have taught us have certainly been neglected by some. And some others may be worth revisiting."
-
>"And as well, you had the tengu happily sell their own off to the oni, tear apart everything that sets us above the others, and are currently in the process of training up an actual army. If that's your heaven, it's no wonder no other tengu would want a part of it."
>"But...I do think you have a point with some of those things. Some things our ancestors have taught us have certainly been neglected by some. And some others may be worth revisiting."
>"And nothing will change so long as the Dai-tengu are in power. They've sculpted our people ever since we formed our society. If I couldn't find a way to change things in all my time, what chance do you have?"
>"Didn't you yourself say she had the potential to surpass you?" Momiji points out.
>"In the world of journalism, sure. But that isn't enough to change the world."
-
>"It's enough to get things started. And between our papers, connections to the outside, and Momiji's access, that'll do a whole lot."
>Glance to Momiji. "Um. If you're willing, that is?"
-
>"It's enough to get things started. And between our papers, connections to the outside, and Momiji's access, that'll do a whole lot."
>Glance to Momiji. "Um. If you're willing, that is?"
>The White Wolf winces. "I never wanted to help start a revolution. I'm just a soldier."
-
>"Well, I'm not looking to start a revolution. I'm looking to fix things up with minimal problems."
-
>"Well, I'm not looking to start a revolution. I'm looking to fix things up with minimal problems."
>"It won't happen that way."
>Momiji gives Aya a look of frustration. "I've never heard you be so pessimistic before, Aya. It's not like you."
>"YOU try having everything you ever wanted turn out to be a lie." the Crow shoots back. "And where do I have to go now? Back to a life I hate, or to a lie that might kill me, that's where. So you'll forgive me, Momiji, if I'm not in a very good mood."
-
>"Frankly, it sounds like you can get everything you wanted and you still wouldn't be happy."
>"Here, let me lay out what the basic plan would be. We get people riled up, while Momiji puts pressure on Lord Tenma to look into this whole mess. And I'm pretty sure we can get people riled up a whole bunch of ways. For instance, Tsubaki just gave us a golden opportunity, we pile the shame on her, we bemoan how the ancestors have been forgotten, we get people talking. Then once that ball is rolling a little bit, we hit some other angles. Don't think I didn't hear that "can't be with her" thing, that sounds like an angle we can use."
-
>"Frankly, it sounds like you can get everything you wanted and you still wouldn't be happy."
>"Here, let me lay out what the basic plan would be. We get people riled up, while Momiji puts pressure on Lord Tenma to look into this whole mess. And I'm pretty sure we can get people riled up a whole bunch of ways. For instance, Tsubaki just gave us a golden opportunity, we pile the shame on her, we bemoan how the ancestors have been forgotten, we get people talking. Then once that ball is rolling a little bit, we hit some other angles. Don't think I didn't hear that "can't be with her" thing, that sounds like an angle we can use."
>"I wouldn't count on that last one." Aya replies. "She's human. Even in the old days, that was a taboo."
-
>"Yeah, but those were the bad old days before Genoskyo and spellcards and stuff. I'd bet my paper if we we had a yamabushi(?) consult the ancestors now with all the correctly done rites, they'd be willing to let it go ahead. We'd have to figure out a bunch of stuff, but that's okay."
>"Soooooo, who is it?"
-
>"Yeah, but those were the bad old days before Genoskyo and spellcards and stuff. I'd bet my paper if we we had a yamabushi(?) consult the ancestors now with all the correctly done rites, they'd be willing to let it go ahead. We'd have to figure out a bunch of stuff, but that's okay."
>"Soooooo, who is it?"
>Aya manages a grin. "She's a challenge for you to figure out. See if you can ferret out one of MY secrets, when you get back home."
-
>"Heh, fair enough. And that's your in right there, isn't it? You just make a mystery of it."
-
>"Heh, fair enough. And that's your in right there, isn't it? You just make a mystery of it."
>She chuckles quietly. "People don't need my help to gossip about the mystery of my love life, kiddo. They've been doing that for years without any help from me, ever since the first time the Dai-tengu tried to have me married off."
-
>"That just makes it an easier hook, doesn't it?"
-
>"That just makes it an easier hook, doesn't it?"
>"Suppose it does. But encouraging gossip is something I'd hoped I'd never have to do again. That kind of gossip, I mean."
-
>"Well, it's not so bad. We just have to lead 'em to be sympathetic, and nudge 'em toward the truth with baby steps."
-
>"Well, it's not so bad. We just have to lead 'em to be sympathetic, and nudge 'em toward the truth with baby steps."
>"And you really think our people would accept the idea of one of their celebraties shacking up with a human?"
>"Why not?" Momiji asks. "I do. And Hatate does as well, or I doubt she'd be supporting the idea."
>"Two out of a few thousand ain't the best average, 'Miji."
>"True. But everything has to start somewhere, right?"
-
>"Besides, if two people are okay with it, chances are there's going to be more where that came from."
-
>"Besides, if two people are okay with it, chances are there's going to be more where that came from."
>"Maybe among the lower castes. But I don't have that kind of faith in the Dai-tengu anymore, and they're the minds you're going to need to change."
>"You thought it was possible." Momiji points out. "This place proves that."
>"There's a difference between faith and dreams, 'Miji." Aya retorts wearily. "This place may have made my dreams come true, but reality doesn't care about my dreams."
-
>"Actually, the Dai-Tengu don't matter, either. There's exactly one tengu who does matter, in the end, and you're the one with his respect Momiji. If he speaks, what can the Dai-Tengu do but accept it? And, should we expose them for wrongdoing, and he decides to strip the wrong-doers of their wealth and set them to work brewing tea for the White Wolves, then what can they do about it?"
-
>"Actually, the Dai-Tengu don't matter, either. There's exactly one tengu who does matter, in the end, and you're the one with his respect Momiji. If he speaks, what can the Dai-Tengu do but accept it? And, should we expose them for wrongdoing, and he decides to strip the wrong-doers of their wealth and set them to work brewing tea for the White Wolves, then what can they do about it?"
>Aya frowns a little. "I think you're giving our exalted leader a little too much...." Her lips twitch thoughtfully as she trails off. She visibly mulls something over for a moment or two, then her frown fades. "Maybe... It's possible?"
-
>"Of course it will! I mean, it's not going to be easy. No one's going to just let a human waltz in. The ancestors would have to approve, and she'd have to earn it. But it's not as though humans are still living in mud huts and hitting each other with deer bones anymore. We have managed to teach 'em a thing or three."
-
>"Of course it will! I mean, it's not going to be easy. No one's going to just let a human waltz in. The ancestors would have to approve, and she'd have to earn it. But it's not as though humans are still living in mud huts and hitting each other with deer bones anymore. We have managed to teach 'em a thing or three."
>"Many a true word. But look, fair warning, Hatate, even if you get Tenma on board, there's still gonna be trouble. There's going to be Dai-tengu who won't like changes, and you're right, Tenma has the power to punish them for it. But A disenfranchised noble with wounded pride and nothing left to lose is a dangerous thing. I've tangled with a couple of those down the line, and I got the scars to prove it. You've got to be ready for that."
-
>"I see it as a chance to make their fall into humiliation all the more of a learning experience."
-
>"I see it as a chance to make their fall into humiliation all the more of a learning experience."
>"The trick there is to make sure the Dai-tengu don't put their own spin on the event. You wouldn't believe how good they are at making their own look good, even when they do something horrible." After a moment, she shakes her head. "Let me rephrase that, they're gonna put their own spin on anything anyway. Getting the truth out's gonna be on you, and they probably won't make that easy on you."
>"Probably?" Momiji asks.
>The elder crow manages a wry grin. "I don't relish the idea of going back to that place. But the idea of running interferance for Hatate here, keeping her out of the line of fire? Giving them more than just her to worry about? That, I can face." Despite her grin, you can still see the sadness in her eyes when she talks about leaving this world.
-
>"I'm thinking of it like this. They can spin, but they need to get people to buy it. And that's where we're going to shine."
-
>"I'm thinking of it like this. They can spin, but they need to get people to buy it. And that's where we're going to shine."
>Aya offers you an amused grin. "So you think you can get people to listen to you over their social betters, who have more age, experience and influence than you?"
-
>"Yeah, I do it all the time? It's called reporting!"
-
>"Yeah, I do it all the time? It's called reporting!"
>Aya shakes her head. "You never did hurt for confidance."
>Momiji clears her throat quietly. "If I may, Aya, Hatate?"
-
> Look over.
> "Yo."
-
> Look over.
> "Yo."
>"Might I suggest that this can wait? Getting out of this book is what matters, what we do after can wait."
>Aya gives the white wolf a grin. "In a hurry or something, 'Miji."
>"We still don't know what long-term effects there might be from staying here too long. The sooner we can get out of here, the better."
-
>"Yeah, that's probably true. I guess we can make conspiracies and stuff later."
-
>"Yeah, that's probably true. I guess we can make conspiracies and stuff later."
>"Still trying to watch over me, eh, 'Miji." Aya teases the wolf.
>"It's got to be a habit after all the trouble you've dragged me into."
>After Aya has a laugh at the grumbling of the white haired tengu, she says "Well, would you mind awfully if I popped back to town to get my camera?"
>Momiji blinks. "YOU don't have a camera on you?"
>"Of course I do, just not the one I came to this world with. I may have changed a bit, but that's still my favourite camera, and I don't like to travel too far without it."
>"That makes sense. And you wouldn't mind if I went with you?"
>"Worried I'll backslide?"
>"In so many words." the serious wolf says with a nod, before turning her head to you. "Why you don't you go meet up with Celes and bring her up to date? Aya and I'll be along."
-
>Nod.
>"Alright. You gonna meet up with Me and Celes and the place, or wanna meet up somewhere else?"
-
>Nod.
>"Alright. You gonna meet up with Me and Celes and the place, or wanna meet up somewhere else?"
>"The place?" Aya asks.
>"We planned to meet up with Celes at a barber's in the hu-"
>"Liluye?" Momiji blinks in surprise, but Aya gives her an impish grin. "Come on, 'Miji, you think I wouldn't know her? It'll be interesting to see her again, maybe now some of the stuff she's said will make sense to me."
-
>"That'd be good. All I know is she's supposed to be weird."
-
>"That'd be good. All I know is she's supposed to be weird."
>"Oh she is that. But having talked to you two, I think she's not like the other people of this world. She might actually be from yours. ... Ours." she corrects herself purposefully after a moment. "Either that or she's a loony who knows her way around a pair of scissors."
-
>Nod.
>"Let's get going, then."
>Call out: "Hey! Ranka! You ready?"
-
>Nod.
>"Let's get going, then."
>Call out: "Hey! Ranka! You ready?"
>"Of course, honey." Ranka's voice purrs in your ears. The little flirt managed to sneak up on you again. But then again, your attention has been pretty focused.
>"Ranka!" Aya says with delight. "Where'd you come from?"
>"Hatate here asked me to tag along."
>"Well that's never a bad idea. Come here and give us some love." Needing no further incentive, the scantily-clad air spirit flits forward and exchanges a kiss with Aya. As if you needed another reason to be envious of the elder crow. "Not that I'm complaining, Hatate, but what made you bring along a date?" she asks you once she and Ranka come up for air.
-
>"It's complicated, but suffice it to say she's coming home with us."
-
>"It's complicated, but suffice it to say she's coming home with us."
>Aya blinks, then looks to Ranka, who merely shrugs. "We've been talking."
>"I gathered that. So you're... from the other world?"
>"No, this one. But Hatate wants to take me with her back to her world."
>The elder crow laughs. "Can't blame her for that, I have to say. But is that even possible?"
>"I don't know. I guess she's going to find out along the way."
-
>"It'll be fine, Gensokyo is a place for youkai."
-
>"It'll be fine, Gensokyo is a place for youkai."
>"You got that from Yukari's travel brochure, didn't you?" Aya says with a teasing grin. "But that's not what I meant. I mean, if you're from this world, Ranka, doesn't that mean you're... well-"
>"An illusion?" the wind spirit finishes the thought. "Not anymore, I'm something else now. I was just a character, but I'm a broken one now. Hatate thinks I'm a true youkai now."
>"You don't?"
>"I don't know for sure. I just know I'm different now."
>Aya ponders the wind spirit for a moment, then gives you another grin, this one laced with admiration. "You have been busy, haven't you."
-
>"Eh. It's not really hard to see, is it?"
-
>"Eh. It's not really hard to see, is it?"
>"How's that?"
-
>Shrug. "When you get down to it, there ain't much more to being a youkai than being able to think for yourself, right?"
-
>Shrug. "When you get down to it, there ain't much more to being a youkai than being able to think for yourself, right?"
>"Wouldn't that sort of make humans youkai too?"
-
>"Naw, they have the whole thing where they can live as long as they have food and stuff, and they have to be born, and I think there's some weird soul stuff that makes gods really like em? Way more complicated."
-
>"Naw, they have the whole thing where they can live as long as they have food and stuff, and they have to be born, and I think there's some weird soul stuff that makes gods really like em? Way more complicated."
>"Aren't we feeling philosophical." Aya teases.
-
>"Hey, you asked."
-
>"Hey, you asked."
>"Hah, that I did. Well, shall we be off, Momiji?"
>"Yes." She turns her head to regard you, "Try not to get into trouble on your way to Liluye's. Now that the book's lost its grip on Aya, it may be better able to track our activities. Be cautious."
-
>Nod.
>"Got it, I'll try not to do anything suspicious."
>When all is ready, depart.
-
>Nod.
>"Got it, I'll try not to do anything suspicious."
>When all is ready, depart.
>"Or at least not to get caught." Aya says with a wink and a grin.
>And so, the four of you set off, Aya and Momiji back up the mountain to retreive Aya's personal effects, Ranka and yourself in the opposite direction, heading for the village. Ranka remians rather silent during the journey, no doubt still mulling over what she is, or rather what she has become. There is obviously no doubt of the matter in your mind, but Ranka herself is another matter.
>The lack of chatter with Ranka along the way makes the flight a bit on the dull side, but under the circumstances, that may be better than a number of alternatives, and in very good time, the human village hoves into view. On the surface, there appears to be very little difference between this village and the one from your reality, save for two prominant exceptions. There is a decently sized building standing just outside the south side of the city, of distinctly Chinese aesthetic. The other is in the northeast quarter of the village, and seems to be a fairly sizable amphitheater. Or at least it will be, it's still under construction. You recognize some of the forms down there on the site among the human work crew. Two of them are members of the Myoren temple, Ichirin and Minamitsu. The other two are Taoists, Mononobe no Futo and Miko herself. Never thought you'd seen those two factions cooperating, but then again, that seems to be part and parcel with this Gensokyo.
-
Byakuren sends her goons to do the grunt work while Miko goes out and dirties her own hands with the same? The Crown Prince is so wonderfully altruistic! As expected of the great Taishi-sama! The Myouren matriarch could learn a thing or two from her.
-
Looks like the wannabe dictator is trying to sabotage the project and pin it on someone else. Typical.
>"So, where's this crazy barber at?"
>_
-
Don't look at me, I'm just a half-ghost.
EDIT: What the fuck I'm an idiot INCOMING NAME CHANGE
-
>"So, where's this crazy barber at?"
>_
>Ranka tilts her head back and listens to the wind as it flows through the glory that is her golden hair. "Down the road from Yuuka's flower bar." she replies, pointing towards a stretch of buildings just west of the edge of town.
-
>Head that way.
>"Yuuka has a bar? How many died so far?"
-
>Head that way.
>"Yuuka has a bar? How many died so far?"
>Ranka laughs. "I guess she doesn't have one in your world?"
-
>"She's got more of a no man's land, or anything else for that matter."
-
>"She's got more of a no man's land, or anything else for that matter."
>"She used to be that way here, too. I forget exactly why she moved into the village. Something about a bird, I think? I don't think she's hurt anyone, either. At least I don't remember hearing about anything serious."
-
>"Huh. What about injuries?"
-
>"Huh. What about injuries?"
>"I remember hearing about a peeping tina that Yuuka caught a couple of months ago, but other than that, I don't know. The human village is a pretty hard place to cause a lot of trouble in, really. You've got the Haukrei shrine on one side, the Taoist temple on another side, and the Buddhists on the third side. Plus Keine and her students in town. She teaches danmaku every now and then. I think it was her firebird girlfriend's idea. There it is." she points out a brown and white walled building with the typical rotating blue and red pole outside the door.
-
>Head for it.
>Can one teach danmaku?
-
>Can one teach danmaku?
>Up to a point, yes. In some ways, danmaku isn't too dissimilar from martial arts or swordplay. There are differing styles and tactics, and these styles can be taught by others. One cannot create a spellcard for someone else, though, those have to be made by one's self, for one's self.
>Head for it.
>Casting one last look around to see if you can spot Yuuka getting up to no good, which she doesn't seem to be, you come in for a landing and enter into the Blue Moon Barber Shop.
>The air in here is more humid than it is outside, and there is a peculiar smell in the air. Part of it seems to be coming from the bottles of sterilizing fluid that contain the various hair-treating impliments not currently in use, but you can't place the faint smokyness in the air. A row of five seats occupy the wall to the left of the entrance, currently occupied by Celes and that winged horned youkai that she was with at the Moriya shrine. End tables bracket the row of seats, with a selection of books to read while one waits. The barber's chairs and the large mirrors they sit in front of are on the right side of the building, and presently only one of them is occupied, by Hong Meiling.
>You would guess the woman working on her now-wavy hair would be Liluye. She is of average height, her reddish-gold hair falling down to about halfway down her back, and her long bangs are kept out of her eyes by a red and black leather headband. Her olive-tinged comlexion is fairly weathered and tight, the face of a woman who has spent most of her days working, though her slender, dextrous fingers bely this. You can see the muscular defintion of her arms and legs through the white body-length smock she wears, not what you'd call 'ripped', but in very fine condition. Despite her profession, she has the bearing of a warrior, and would have even without the pair of dagger hilts sticking out of the belt at the small of her back and the tomahawk on her right hip.
-
>Nod toward Celes.
>Does it seem Meiling has just arrived, or is finishign up, or what?
-
>Nod toward Celes.
>Does it seem Meiling has just arrived, or is finishign up, or what?
>The steward tips her cap to you in greeting.
>At a glance, you would guess she's close to finished.
-
>Have a seat near Celes. "Find anything?"
-
>Have a seat near Celes. "Find anything?"
>"A great deal. Liluye has proven to be an excellent source of information. She has been here for far longer than I had thought. Decades, in fact." Sparing a glance at Meiling, Celes finishes with, "And she has great insight into situations outside of the norm."
-
>Nod. "Things have been...interesting around home. I'll get into it later. Right now, I kinda want a bit of a touch up."
-
>Nod. "Things have been...interesting around home. I'll get into it later. Right now, I kinda want a bit of a touch up."
>"May I assume that Momiji will be joining us later?" she asks cautiously.
-
>Nod.
-
>Nod.
>"Very good. I was hoping she had not become distracted in the interim."
>Finally finished, the Scarlet Manor gatekeeper hops out of her chair, doing a little spin to test out her new hairstyle, her red locks now gently curled at the ends. It is simplistic, but she wears it well. "Thanks again, Lily." she says, evidently not even trying to pronounce Liluye's name correctly.
>The barber does not seem the least bit offended as she nods. "Hhh, you and your friends from the Manor are always a pleasure to serve." she says as she accepts a small satchel from Meiling. Liluye's voice is rather deep for a woman's, and vaguely gravelly. "Please, give my regards to Flandre when you return home."
>"Sure thing!" the gatekeeper says brightly, giving you and Celes a polite nod in passing as she makes her way out of the barber shop.
-
>Nod back, then wait for Meiling to leave. Give it a few seconds to make sure she doesn't come back because she forgot something.
>Assuming the above conditions are met, quietly ask Celes: "Are we clear?"
>_
-
>Nod back, then wait for Meiling to leave. Give it a few seconds to make sure she doesn't come back because she forgot something.
>Assuming the above conditions are met, quietly ask Celes: "Are we clear?"
>_
>A moment's pause shows Meiling strolling by the window facing the outside on the way down the road. She does not return.
>The Rider spares a glance at Ranka. "Forgive me for asking this, Ranka." she apologizes, then turns back to you, "You are certain of her?"
-
>"She's good. Don't worry. Miji and I both think she checks out. And we got Aya, too. They're doing some things."
-
>"She's good. Don't worry. Miji and I both think she checks out. And we got Aya, too. They're doing some things."
>"Exactly what do you mean by 'got'?"
-
>"She's coming back with us."
-
>"She's coming back with us."
>"Glad to hear it. I do hope that you didn't have to resort to, shall we say, drastic measures?"
-
>"Not quite. Came kinda close, but then I cleared my head up a little bit and changed tactics."
-
>"Not quite. Came kinda close, but then I cleared my head up a little bit and changed tactics."
>"You and Momiji must have been very persuasive, indeed." Celes compliments you.
-
>"Heh. But anyways, have you found anything out?"
>How does this barber's winds feel, anyways?
-
>"Heh. But anyways, have you found anything out?"
>How does this barber's winds feel, anyways?
>Celes nods. "We have indeed." The steward nods towards Liluye, who is presently sweeping up the hair her previous customers left behind. "Liluye is like us. She was pulled into this book and trapped. However, unlike us, she has been here for over 50 years."
>Very peculiar. She's a youkai, and normally you can't get as much off of non-tengu youkai as you can your own kind. This woman, however, has a fairly strong presence. The winds about her carry that same smoky scent as her shop, as fell as a whiff of some kind of oil and gunpowder. She stands out as a stark contrast to the world around her. Even if Celes hadn't said so, you'd have no trouble telling she's from your world.
-
>"Yeah, she feels real. Interesting presence, too. I guess she was before my time. Or our time, I guess?"
-
>"Yeah, she feels real. Interesting presence, too. I guess she was before my time. Or our time, I guess?"
>"Perhaps not. She claims to have arrived in Gensokyo in the 1950's. I believe you would have been born before then?"
-
>"Yeah, but things were different. We didn't look outward so much back then, so we really only knew about the important names."
-
>"Yeah, but things were different. We didn't look outward so much back then, so we really only knew about the important names."
>"Then you most likely would not have heard of her, if you'll pardon me saying so, Liluye." The dark-skinned woman grunts an affirmative. "Liluye is a vampire hunter, or at least was in our world. She came to Gensokyo to investigate the rumors she had heard of powerful vampires hiding out there. Evidently the first building she saw was the Cobalt Keep. We are all still sealed at the time, but she investigated the Keep anyway. I suspect she may have sensed some of the lingering power of him. Eventually she found the library, and the same book that we saw. And was trapped by it just as we were."
-
>"Huh. Geeze, sorry to hear that. And you've been here for that long, huh?"
-
>"Huh. Geeze, sorry to hear that. And you've been here for that long, huh?"
>The barber gives you an affirmative nod as she sweeps the area in front of the door.
>"What I found truly amazing, is that she has no succumbed to the influence of the book." Celes says, the respect plain in her voice. "I've seen many strong individuals succumb to these kinds of traps in less than a year, and yet she is still herself after more than half a century."
>"I had no idea." Ranka adds. "I'm a part of the trap, but I don't remember once thinking that you were fighting it."
>"Mh, it is not that I fought." the gravel-voiced barber replies as she flicks the 'open' sign over to 'closed'. "I simply found a firm stone to anchor myself to, while the waters flowed around me."
-
>"Yeah?"
-
>"Yeah?"
>Lilyue lowers the blinds in her shop, shutting out the outside world. "When I found myself in a world that had changed, I communed with the spirits, and I found that the spirits had become a lie."
-
>"So what'd you do?"
-
>"So what'd you do?"
>The dark skinned woman smiles faintly. "I kept my head above water."
-
>"That's a bit too cryptic to tell me much."
-
>"That's a bit too cryptic to tell me much."
>Liluye appears vaguely dissapointed, then she nods. "Mmh, perhaps this is so." The warrior lifts her broom off of the floor. "Allow me to rephrase my answer, then. What am I holding?"
-
>"A broom. But I am gonna guess that you're gonna get metaphysical and say nothing."
-
>"A broom. But I am gonna guess that you're gonna get metaphysical and say nothing."
>"I am holding a lie." Well, you were partly right. "That is how I retained the sense of self that others have lost. Not once in all these years has that thought left my mind."
-
>"Yeah, but being adrift in a sea of lies for that long... It's bound to mess with you, isn't it?"
-
>"Yeah, but being adrift in a sea of lies for that long... It's bound to mess with you, isn't it?"
>Liluye's smile turns wryly amused. "I did not speak this way before Gensokyo."
-
>"So how have you kept it together?"
-
>"So how have you kept it together?"
>"The traditions and beliefs of my birth people have sustained me." the gravelly-voiced woman replies. "With them to guide me, I have become the lone truth in a sea of lies."
>"So she says." Celes interjects. "But I believe she also possesses a truly titanic amount of will."
-
>Or she hasn't kept it together.
>"So, how come you've stayed?"
-
>Or she hasn't kept it together.
>"So, how come you've stayed?"
>Also possible.
>"I could not leave on my own. No one person can leave this place on their own."
-
>"Why not?"
-
>"Why not?"
>"The way out is the way in. Only, here, it is defended, fiercely."
-
>"Go on."
-
>"Go on."
>"She's talking about the Keep." Celes informs you. "She learned a long time ago that the core of this trap is indeed within this world's version of the Cobalt Keep. She just couldn't penetrate the book's defenses on her own."
>"And so, I remain here." Lilyue says by way of confirmation.
-
>"Oh, it sounded like you knew something more specific."
-
>"Oh, it sounded like you knew something more specific."
>"I asked her about those defenses myself." Celes informs you. "But she hasn't tried herself in over 40 years. She said her information about the Keep's protection was out of date."
-
>"So it changes over time, huh?"
-
>"So it changes over time, huh?"
>"It had changed from what was there for me, for the person who was last there."
-
>"It had changed from what was there for me, for the person who was last there."
>"Hm. So, you're saying someone was there before you?"
>_
-
>"Hm. So, you're saying someone was there before you?"
>_
>Liluye shakes her head. "After me, and repeatedly so. Hr, she is a most determined woman."
-
>"That's Sakuya, isn't it?"
-
>"That's Sakuya, isn't it?"
>The barber nods. "Though, she does not consider that her name."
-
>"Oh right, she has some dumb crazy person name, doesn't she? So, are you friends?"
-
>"Oh right, she has some dumb crazy person name, doesn't she? So, are you friends?"
>Liluye chuckles at your speculation about not-Sakuya's name, and the look on Celes' face says that she's trying not to.
>"Ahhh, friend may be too strong a word, Hatate. For she is a vampire hunter, as am I. And, for those of us who live for long in that world, we sometimes find it difficult, and sometimes, unwise, to befriend one another."
-
>"Why? Is competition that brutal?"
-
>"Why? Is competition that brutal?"
>"For some, it is so. But for others, it is simply a way to survive."
>"Not all vampires are like Remilia Scarlet, or the Countess Teregduri, whom I serve." Celes says. "They can be as insidious and blackhearted as any demon born from the abyss. If a vampire hunter has no friends or other emotional attachments, then the vampires can't use those things against them. And there are many vampires who take doing that to an art form. And yes, it necessittates an inherant risk in that no one will come to their aide, but a lot of hunters would say that this is a risk worth taking."
-
>"I guess that makes sense."
>No it doesn't. Silly hootmans trying underplay the role of their communities.
>"I guess she's not...uh...taking it as well as you?"
-
>"I guess that makes sense."
>No it doesn't. Silly hootmans trying underplay the role of their communities.
>"I guess she's not...uh...taking it as well as you?"
>"It works for some hunters. Not as much for others. I recall one of the most successful hunters I ever encountered was a pair of twin sisters. We barely escaped that one with everyone in one piece."
>"Her approach is different than mine." Liluye says. "Even the best of fortresses has a weak point. But, while I employed patience, she employs what she calls the direct approach. I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to hold her back, but, I have managed to provide her with a safe haven here."
-
>"I'm guessing she's not really learned anything else?"
-
>"I'm guessing she's not really learned anything else?"
>"No, Hatate, she has learned much, just not how to infiltrate the Keep."
-
>"Well, that's what I meant. But what else has she figured out and hopefully shared with you?"
-
>"Well, that's what I meant. But what else has she figured out and hopefully shared with you?"
>Liluye looks behind you when she says, "You said that you were expecting another two tengu?"
>"Yes. Two more like us, trapped in this world."
>"Hhh, then perhaps the details should wait, until we are all gathered in council?"
-
>"Fair enough! So, if we're gonna wait, do you do facials?"
-
>"Fair enough! So, if we're gonna wait, do you do facials?"
>Liluye smiles. "Hmhm, I may be a bit rusty. It has been some time."
-
>"Not like we have anything better to do, if we're waiting for the others."
-
>"Not like we have anything better to do, if we're waiting for the others."
>"Well, while I do specialize in hair styling, I would be willing to make the attempt."
-
>"Well, if you don't feel confident, I guess it wouldn't hurt to have my hair touched up."
-
>"Well, if you don't feel confident, I guess it wouldn't hurt to have my hair touched up."
>"That is an area in which I claim much confidence."
>Celes comes to her feet. "If you don't mind, then, Hatate, I would like to explore the village a little bit. I would like to see how this one differs from the village in our world."
-
>"Okay. We'll have Ranka fetch you when the others get here."
>To Liluye: "So, are there any others?"
-
>"Okay. We'll have Ranka fetch you when the others get here."
>To Liluye: "So, are there any others?"
>"Very well. Come along, friend." she says to her winged friend, and the two of them stand and depart.
>"Hh, only one that I know of. The present ruler of the Scarlet Devil Manor."
-
>"Wait, really? Remilia's stuck in here too?"
-
>"Wait, really? Remilia's stuck in here too?"
>"No, Hatate. She of this world has been usurped by one from your world. Celes knew this man. She called him Greed."
-
>"Aha! That's where the dummy got off to!"
-
>"Aha! That's where the dummy got off to!"
>Liluye nods. "Celes did not seem surprised. She said that he would have gone to a place of wealth and finery. Ahhh, he seems to have fit in here quite well."
-
>"What's he been up to?"
-
>"What's he been up to?"
>"Reveling in the rewards of the book."
-
>"Well good for him. I wonder if it would be a bad thing if we just left him here?"
-
>"Well good for him. I wonder if it would be a bad thing if we just left him here?"
>"Celes did say that it would be bad for a woman named Tsumiko. The two of them are evidently incomplete without the other."
-
>"Oh well, guess we'll just have to whip his butt and drag him out."
-
>"Oh well, guess we'll just have to whip his butt and drag him out."
>"Oh?" the gravel-voiced barber asks, a hint of amusement on her face. "So confidant a warrior, you are."
-
>"Well. He's hiding in a big ole house, right? And he's got all his traps and goodies and stuff there, right?"
-
>"Well. He's hiding in a big ole house, right? And he's got all his traps and goodies and stuff there, right?"
>"In essence, you are correct. And his servants, of course."
-
>"But they're all fake, right? So, best thing to do is just burn it down. It'll chase him out and get him out of his lair where he's got the advantage. Maybe break a lot of his stuff, too."
-
>"But they're all fake, right? So, best thing to do is just burn it down. It'll chase him out and get him out of his lair where he's got the advantage. Maybe break a lot of his stuff, too."
>"Then, you have a plan for dealing with the other residents of the Mansion?" Liluye asks pointedly.
-
>"What's to deal with, they aren't even real."
-
>"What's to deal with, they aren't even real."
>"Hh, to you, this is so, but not to all." the barber replies. "The magic of this book produces phantasms that are as powerful as they are in the minds of the people trapped herein. Though the Remilia Scarlet and her friends of this place are fabrications, they are every bit as capable of harming one as the Remilia Scarlet and her friends of our world."
-
>Shrug.
>"Okay, then we do it and don't get caught. Not like we don't have enough people to distract the gatekeeper and stuff. And once it's gone, there goes a lot of whatever home field advantage he'd have, because he'd be homeless."
-
>Shrug.
>"Okay, then we do it and don't get caught. Not like we don't have enough people to distract the gatekeeper and stuff. And once it's gone, there goes a lot of whatever home field advantage he'd have, because he'd be homeless."
>The dark skinned woman merely smiles. "I am not sure you have thought your plan all the way through, friend."
-
"What's the problem? I've seen that mansion, it's a big ole wooden thing. Easy enough to start going."
-
"What's the problem? I've seen that mansion, it's a big ole wooden thing. Easy enough to start going."
>"And then?"
-
>"Then it burns down, we wait for the right time to hit him hard."
-
>"Then it burns down, we wait for the right time to hit him hard."
>"And what of Meiling Hong? And Patchouli Knowledge? And Sakuya Izayoi? And Remilia Scarlet? And Flandre Scarlet?"
-
>"What about them? As long as we can get in, they can't stop it. Then we leave before they find us. Heck, we do this right, they won't have any idea who it was."
-
>"What about them? As long as we can get in, they can't stop it. Then we leave before they find us. Heck, we do this right, they won't have any idea who it was."
>"And you believe you are a skilled enough arsonist to achieve this goal?"
-
"Shouldn't be hard. Get some lamp oil, spread it in a few different places so it's not all bunched up in one easy to fight spot, light it, and go."
-
>Liluye nods. "A sound approach to a deliberate fire."
-
>"The real trick will be sneaking in. You like fighting vampires and stuff, what's the security there like?"
-
>"The real trick will be sneaking in. You like fighting vampires and stuff, what's the security there like?"
>"I am not certain. I have not visited there, nor do I know enough about Greed to guess as to his habits and defensive strategies."
-
>"Oh. Well. I guess you're retired and stuff, anyways."
-
>"Oh. Well. I guess you're retired and stuff, anyways."
>Liluye chuckles. "I suppose you could say that. In this Gensokyo at least, there are no vampires to hunt, and humans live in peace with those who are not human. A warrior here... was not necessary."
-
>"Not much different back home, actually. I mean, you don't need like specific hunters and stuff. We have shrine maidens and other problem solver types."
-
>"Not much different back home, actually. I mean, you don't need like specific hunters and stuff. We have shrine maidens and other problem solver types."
>"I have been trying not to think too much about the Gensokyo I left behind." Liluye admits. "It was a method of keeping safe my mind."
-
>"Oh. Well, it's gotten a lot better from the bad old days! Anyhow, how about Sakuya, has she had a go at it?"
-
>"Oh. Well, it's gotten a lot better from the bad old days! Anyhow, how about Sakuya, has she had a go at it?"
>"Sakuya lives there."
-
>"The real one?"
-
>"The real one?"
>"The one you would call 'real' does not call herself Sakuya."
-
>"Well tough titty, that's who she is and it doesn't matter how she misspells it."
-
>"Well tough titty, that's who she is and it doesn't matter how she misspells it."
>"Ahhh, you are an arsonist and a namer." the barber says with the half-grin on her face.
-
>"I didn't name her, that's just who she is whether she likes it or not."
-
>"I didn't name her, that's just who she is whether she likes it or not."
>"A very bold statement, my young tengu." the Indian replies, and then bows her head slightly, her arm extended slightly towards one of her barber's chairs. "Sit down, please."
-
>Have a seat.
>"Not really all that bold. I mean, you can put on just as many masks as you want, but that doesn't actually change what's underneath."
>_
-
>Have a seat.
>"Not really all that bold. I mean, you can put on just as many masks as you want, but that doesn't actually change what's underneath."
>_
>"A wise point to consider. However, are you so certain that this woman is so similar to the Sakuya Izayoi you know?"
-
>"Because the past doesn't change. She might be a different person now due to whatever happened, but it's dumb to pretend you're not yourself."
-
>"Because the past doesn't change. She might be a different person now due to whatever happened, but it's dumb to pretend you're not yourself."
>"I am not sure I understand what you mean."
-
>"Maybe I'm not the same as I was a few decades ago, but that doesn't mean I'm not the same person."
-
>"Maybe I'm not the same as I was a few decades ago, but that doesn't mean I'm not the same person."
>"Ahhh." Liluye vocalizes her understanding as she starts to untie your pigtails. "But, what if the two women you think of as Sakuya Izayoi have led very different lives? Perhaps, even from their birth?"
-
>"So what? She's still the same person. If people were just like books you could write anything into, you'd never have children who disappoint their parents."
-
>"So what? She's still the same person. If people were just like books you could write anything into, you'd never have children who disappoint their parents."
>"Hh, I am not certain I would feel the same, if I were to meet a doppelganger of mine." she rumbles in that gravelly voice of hers as her smooth, light fingers gently tease some of the tangles from your hair. "Even if we were born to the same parents, and even that is something of a stretch, the divergenses in our lives may have created an unbridgable gulf between she and I. Hhh, or, perhaps, even, 'he'."
-
>"You'd be real different in some ways, sure. But there's others that'd be close or the same. Some things are just inborn."
-
>"You'd be real different in some ways, sure. But there's others that'd be close or the same. Some things are just inborn."
>"Then, you believe that, should a hundred different Sakuyas were compared to each other, all of them would share at least one common trait, if not more? Simply as a consequence of them being who they are."
-
>"Yup. There's always something about yourself that's going to be there. I mean, we've had a society that understood this and lasted since before you guys were recording history."
-
>"Yup. There's always something about yourself that's going to be there. I mean, we've had a society that understood this and lasted since before you guys were recording history."
>"Ohh?" the barber replies as she retrieves a thin-toothed comb. "Your people have speculated on the possibility of the myriad paths of reality before?"
-
>"We don't have to," she says. "We've had generations of tengu instead, each with their as set by our ancestors. We know well what it means to have things that your experiecnes can change, and things that they can't. As I said, if you could chance anything, no child would have the change to do anything to disappoint their parents, because we would have figured out how to deal with that. There's always some essential youness that's going to be there, no matter what, because we've seen it since the dawn of time."
-
>"We don't have to," she says. "We've had generations of tengu instead, each with their as set by our ancestors. We know well what it means to have things that your experiecnes can change, and things that they can't. As I said, if you could chance anything, no child would have the change to do anything to disappoint their parents, because we would have figured out how to deal with that. There's always some essential youness that's going to be there, no matter what, because we've seen it since the dawn of time."
>The barber's mouth spreads into a satisfied smile as you pontificate. "It is pleasurable to have a chance to speak thusly again. In a way, I have been alone with only my own thoughts for a very long time. Fresh philosophy and wisdom is a welcome wine, and yours is a young wisdom. Especially rare, for one such as I."
>"I am curious, did you find any of this sameness in the version of yourself that you encountered in this place?"
-
>"Oh yeah, lots. She's just a bit older, a bit more established. Fullness of time stuff."
-
>"Oh yeah, lots. She's just a bit older, a bit more established. Fullness of time stuff."
>"And her place in this world caused you no discomfort?"
-
>"And her place in this world caused you no discomfort?"
>"Well. A little bit here or there. But, you know. She just didn't know what I know now, so."
-
>"Well. A little bit here or there. But, you know. She just didn't know what I know now, so."
>"And I presume the reverse was true, as well."
>"Ah, forgive me, I suppose I should have asked this sooner." she says suddenly, her tone of voice changing to a more mundane one, with less gravel. "Did you want a certain kind of styling?"
-
>"Nothing radical, just touch it up a bit, take off the split ends and maybe a nice shampoo."
-
>"Nothing radical, just touch it up a bit, take off the split ends and maybe a nice shampoo."
>"Mmmm...." Liluye says thoughtfully as she gazes at your hair appraisingly. "May I make a suggestion?" she asks diffidently.
-
>"By all means!"
-
>"By all means!"
>"I believe longer hair would suit you quite well, young lady."
-
>"Well. That's something. You can do that? Well, let's try it. If I don't like it, it's easy enough for you to cut."
-
>"Well. That's something. You can do that? Well, let's try it. If I don't like it, it's easy enough for you to cut."
>"Indeed I can. In a way, I suppose you could say it was Gensokyo's gift to me." Soft green and yellow sparkles of light dance across Liluye's hands as they weave their way through your hair. It's a weird sensation, but hardly an unpleasant one, almost like a soft puffy cloud is floating through the room and over your head, very relaxing. "I was not a youkai until I came to Gensokyo, and once I had become one, I had gained a new ability, one unique to myself. Keine Kamishirasawa termed it 'folicular manipulation'. I have spent a great deal of time pondering on why Gensokyo granted me that ability. Have your people ever speculated on that aspect of this realm?" she asks as she gently massages your hair.
-
>"Maybe it wasn't Gensokyo, but rather something from you?"
-
>"Maybe it wasn't Gensokyo, but rather something from you?"
>"I've considered that. But hair has never had any noticeable significance for me, or my tribe. Nothing that I have been conscious of, at any rate. Of course, truly knowing one's self in one's entirely is a task unattainable. It is fascinating, though, is it not? The phenomenon of the special abilities that some have yet others do not."
-
>"Does it work on just hair? Can you do it to animals or stuffed animals? Or just people?"
-
>"Does it work on just hair? Can you do it to animals or stuffed animals? Or just people?"
>"I seem to only be able to affect organic hair. However, I can affect that hair whether or not it is attached to the creature that produced it. This is not limited to humanoid life, either, as I later learned that I can affect fur as well. I think the biggest challenge I've had with my powers was a young man about twelve years ago, who wanted fur growing out of his entirely human body. I respected his reasons, but giving him what he wanted was a truer test of my creativity and skill than I'd had in many years previous. There we go, I believe I am finished."
-
>Let's have a look.
>"I guess you weren't particularly vain or judgmental back in the old days?"
-
>"I guess you weren't particularly vain or judgmental back in the old days?"
>"Ahh, I had my faults, to be sure, as we all do. But I was never too concerned with my appearance compared to those around me. I wanted to be a warrior before anything else. But, as for being judgemental, that, I am afraid, is something of a different matter." she finishes, a touch wistfully.
>Let's have a look.
>Liluye takes a couple of steps back as you examine yourself in the mirror. Normally your hair falls down to just below your shoulder blades when it's not done up in pigtails. Now it falls down an extra three inches or so, down almost to your hips. It also seems to be just a tiny bit lighter in shade, as well, not quite as dark a brown as it was. While it appears thicker, wavier, more voluminous, it feels lighter despite this. You think it's even cleaned now, like you'd just got out of the shower. That's some service. And she had a point, too, it really does fit you very well.
>The one thing that sticks in your craw just a bit though, as it seems to do so often, is the thought of Aya. When you saw her, she'd grown her hair out as well, and while yours is still longer, and prettier of course, the thought of following Aya's example again, being inspired by her again, is an unappealing one. That wasn't what you were doing, but you can picture people thinking that about you a bit too easily.
-
>"Mmmm. Maybe a bit more? Actually...you know the Princess at Eientei? I want something like that! Oh, and maybe darken it back like it was?"
>We'll just have to do it better.
-
>"Mmmm. Maybe a bit more? Actually...you know the Princess at Eientei? I want something like that! Oh, and maybe darken it back like it was?"
>We'll just have to do it better.
>"Princess Kaguya? Why yes I do. I was once called there to offer my services as a hairstylist to the rabbits of Eientei at the request of Eirin Yakogoro. Hhh, a noble style, she has for her hair. But, you do not wish for a similar coloring to hers?"
>There's an idea. Following Aya is one thing, but one-uping Aya is money.
-
>"No no, my proper colors are just fine."
-
> "It wouldn't do to make it seem like I'm just blatantly ripping her look, y'know? It's an inspiration, but not more than that."
(Feel free to can this if it's not the characterization you're going for)
-
>"No no, my proper colors are just fine."
> "It wouldn't do to make it seem like I'm just blatantly ripping her look, y'know? It's an inspiration, but not more than that."
>"I understand." the barber says, still looking at you rather thoughtfully. "Hmm.... What say you, Ranka?" she asks after a moment.
>The blonde wind spirit giggles and you hear her tossing her absurdly long hair in reply. "You're asking me?"
>The tan-skinned barber chuckles. "Point taken. Very well then, Hatate. Please, sit back and relax."
>"You have met Princess Kaguya yourself, then?" she asks as her hands return to their work.
-
>"I understand." the barber says, still looking at you rather thoughtfully. "Hmm.... What say you, Ranka?" she asks after a moment.
>The blonde wind spirit giggles and you hear her tossing her absurdly long hair in reply. "You're asking me?"
>The tan-skinned barber chuckles. "Point taken. Very well then, Hatate. Please, sit back and relax."
>"You have met Princess Kaguya yourself, then?" she asks as her hands return to their work.
>"Not really, no. I've only seen her from a distance."
>_
-
>"Not really, no. I've only seen her from a distance."
>_
>"The illusionary Princess Kaguya or the Princess Kaguya in reality?"
-
>"The illusionary Princess Kaguya or the Princess Kaguya in reality?"
>"The real one."
>_
-
>"The real one."
>_
>"A figure I look forward to meeting if we get out of this book. Was she a visitor to the Mountain at the time?"
-
>"Naw, Hakurei Shrine Festival."
-
>"Naw, Hakurei Shrine Festival."
>"The sound of such an event is still somewhat unusual to me, despite being informed of them by other people pulled into this world." Liluye admits as she quite gently untangles a knot in your hair. "I did not have the opportunity to learn much of the Hakureis of Gensokyo before I was trapped here, but I had learned that her duty was to keep youkai and human seperate from each other. Yet this Reimu Hakurei seems to have attracted both, and encourages co-mingling between the two."
-
>"Yeah. Things have changed a lot from the bad old days."
-
>"Yeah. Things have changed a lot from the bad old days."
>Liluye hesitates just a touch before she asks, "Including in regards to the Scarlet Devil?"
-
>"Well, the old bat's friendlier now, at least. Still kinda, you know...full of herself?"
-
>"Well, the old bat's friendlier now, at least. Still kinda, you know...full of herself?"
>The barber's hands pause in mid-stroke. "'Old bat'?" she manages to get out before her calm veneer gives way to helpless laughter.
-
>"That's out little secret. Don't go spreading it, now! Because I'll deny everything."
-
>"That's out little secret. Don't go spreading it, now! Because I'll deny everything."
>It takes a moment for the barber to compose herself, mirth somehow looking a bit out of place on her face. "Ahhh, forgive me, Hatate. I have never heard a vampire referred to as an 'old bat' before, let alone in a lighter sense."
-
>"I think that's probably the most surprising thing I've heard in awhile."
-
>"I think that's probably the most surprising thing I've heard in awhile."
>"Well you see, before getting trapped in this book, I was a vampire hunter." she explains as she returns to work on your hair. "Among that community, if the term 'old bat' was ever used, which I can't recall ever hearing at all, it would have been in much more stark terms than you used."
-
>"I guess you guys just don't go for fun chiding nicknames."
-
>"I guess you guys just don't go for find chiding nicknames."
>"Not for the ones we hunted, no. Well, except for those few who were very new to the mission and had not been scarred by the masters of the night. One way or the other, that innocence never lasted. The stories I have heard of your Scarlet Devil in Gensokyo, and of the Cobalt Countess... They are nothing like the vampires Dio and I have known."
-
>"It's a better place these days, like I said. Remilia even throws parties and such. Though...you talk about a Cobalt Countess, which is really weird because she was asleep for ages an d ages before back home, and there's no one at the keep here. So...where did you hear about her?"
-
Apologies for the long and unexpected delay, folks. The family had a couple of medical issues that took my time and attention away from this site, culminating in me developing a migraine from which I'm only now mostly recovered from.
>"It's a better place these days, like I said. Remilia even throws parties and such. Though...you talk about a Cobalt Countess, which is really weird because she was asleep for ages an d ages before back home, and there's no one at the keep here. So...where did you hear about her?"
>"From Celes d'Arquien. The woman with the alicorn who arrived here before you and Ranka did."
-
Hey, you do what you gotta do. Everything turn out okay, at least?
-
>"Oh yeah, she'll talk your ear off about 'em if you let her."
-
Hey, you do what you gotta do. Everything turn out okay, at least?
For the most part, yes. At least, I think so. Without getting into all the gory details, one of the issues was more psychological than physical, and those never seem to be as straightforward. But at the very least, the worst is over, so I at least am resting easier.
>"Oh yeah, she'll talk your ear off about 'em if you let her."
>"Have you met this Countess yourself?"
-
>"Almost! But we kinda went hunting after Greed just before that, since it was more important."
-
>"Almost! But we kinda went hunting after Greed just before that, since it was more important."
>"But, from what you have observed of her followers, you would deem them benificent?"
-
>"They aren't bad. Just a couple are a bit rowdy. But who isn't?"
-
>"They aren't bad. Just a couple are a bit rowdy. But who isn't?"
>"Hhmmm. Perhaps it is something about Gensokyo that draws kinder natured vampires to it."
>"Don't bet on it." Ranka say sharply. "Those two are the weird ones. Believe me, Gensokyo needed more Hunters like you centuries ago."
>Liluye gives the wind spirit a curious look, before shaking her head slightly and taking a step back from you. "Ah, that should do."
-
>Do we know of a Kurumi? And if so, what do we know about her?
>Have a look!
-
>Do we know of a Kurumi? And if so, what do we know about her?
>Have a look!
>You know the name only, and only from Aya mentioning it once in passing. Evidently she had some dealing with Reimu in the past, but what exactly that was, you don't know. Given Reimu's reputation, though, you can't imagine the experience was entirely positive for Kurumi.
>As you asked, Liluye has returned your hair to its proper shading. And per your request, she hasn't just mirrored Kaguya's hairstyle on your head. The locks of hair that frame your face aren't quite as long as hers, and your bangs are not entirely straight, owing to the natural curl in your hair. However, while Kaguya's hair is long enough to fall down to just below her buttocks, you estimate that yours is long enough to touch the backs of your knees.
-
>Smile.
>"Now this is interesting!"
-
>Smile.
>"Now this is interesting!"
>Liluye bows her head politely. "I hope you are satisfied?"
-
> Shake our head a bit, not in a 'no' motion, but in an attempt to get our hair to wiggle around, and see how it feels.
-
> Shake our head a bit, not in a 'no' motion, but in an attempt to get our hair to wiggle around, and see how it feels.
>Experimenting with your hair's new length, you find the sensation of that much hair swaying behind you pleasurable, though somewhat foreign. It'll take a little while to get completely used to, but that prospect is not an unwelcome one.
-
> "Ooh, that's pretty nice. Never imagined I could get it this long. It's almost to the ground!"
-
> "Ooh, that's pretty nice. Never imagined I could get it this long. It's almost to the ground!"
>The barber smiles. "It may take you a day or two to get used to the sensation." she advises, somewhat unnecessarily.
>"And when you do, you'll keep it forever." Ranka adds, the gleam in the wind spirit's eyes leaving little doubt as to what she thinks of your new look.
-
> Run a hand's fingers gently through it.
-
> Run a hand's fingers gently through it.
>Boy, has your hand got a long way to travel now. And not only has Liluye lengthened your hair quite considerably, but it feels softer than it did before, smoother. You wouldn't quite call it 'silky', but it's a damn sight closer to it than it was before. And that's a sensation that won't take nearly as long to grow accustomed to. You permit yourself a slight smirk of triumph. Let's see Aya top this look.
-
> "...Y'know what? As long as I've got this opportunity, I might as well make the most of it. Maybe add just a bit more length, enough that it can hit the floor."
-
> "...Y'know what? As long as I've got this opportunity, I might as well make the most of it. Maybe add just a bit more length, enough that it can hit the floor."
>"You're sure?" Liluye asks, sounding slightly surprised.
-
>"Just miss the floor?"
-
> "Because I mean, like, this is a fantastic job, and the way I see it, if this is fantastic, then more is more fantastic. Frankly, I'd say we could just keep going and see what happens, but I imagine it would become a hassle eventually. You're the expert, though, so I'll defer to you."
-
>"Just miss the floor?"
> "Because I mean, like, this is a fantastic job, and the way I see it, if this is fantastic, then more is more fantastic. Frankly, I'd say we could just keep going and see what happens, but I imagine it would become a hassle eventually. You're the expert, though, so I'll defer to you."
>"You could always ask a pretty young thing to carry it behind you." Ranka suggests with that saucy, sultry tone of hers.
-
> Laugh.
> "That's a good idea. I'll take all three people in this room!"
-
> Laugh.
> "That's a good idea. I'll take all three people in this room!"
>Liluye offers you a hearty chuckle. "Flattery will not earn you a free treatment, Hatate." Her retort is punctuated by a knock up the barber shop's door. "Excuse me." she says politely before heading over to see who it is.
>"Planning to keep it once you escape this place?" Ranka asks.
-
>"Who knows? I might until I get sick of it."
-
^ That one first, then...
> "Why? Are you volunteering to carry it around?"
-
>"Who knows? I might until I get sick of it."
>"I just hope you can." Ranka replies quietly. "I mean, since this place isn't really real.... But then again, she is, so maybe that makes a difference?" she asks, more of herself, you think, than of you.
> "Why? Are you volunteering to carry it around?"
>That returns the smile to Ranka's face. "I can think of worse way to kill some time."
>"That's one heck of a look ya got there, kiddo." Aya's voice rings out from the doorway.
-
>Chuckle in Ranka's direction, then look toward Aya to see who all is with her.
>"Hey! There you are!"
-
>Chuckle in Ranka's direction, then look toward Aya to see who all is with her.
>"Hey! There you are!"
>Aya is in the company of Momiji, but Celes and her companion are not present. Aya has changed clothes in the interim, returning to her traditional look, and is carrying a small canvas bag over her shoulder. She's also accessorized by adding a black and yellow scarf to her ensemble. "We'd have got here a bit sooner, but we got a bit hung up on the way out of town." Aya aims a grin back at Momiji. "She's a celebrity, y'know."
>"And you're not?" the white wolf barks back, making Aya chuckle.
-
>No sign of our doppelganger?
>"Oh, don't worry about it. Stuff happens."
-
>No sign of our doppelganger?
>"Oh, don't worry about it. Stuff happens."
>None.
>"That it does." Aya replies, still looking your hair up and down before glancing over at Liluye. "You let her get carried away, didn't you?"
>"Ahh, who am I to argue with the desires of a customer?"
-
> "Your black-and-white ensemble is just fine. No need to add green to it."
-
> "Your black-and-white ensemble is just fine. No need to add green to it."
>Aya grins, impressed at your wit. "That's actually a good idea, you oughta try that next. Go for that 'Sanae-Kaguya' mix."
-
>"Green's more your style, I'll stick with a nice Kanako blue."
-
>"Green's more your style, I'll stick with a nice Kanako blue."
>"Is that a request?" Liluye asks.
-
> "Oh. Nah, just the other thing."
-
> "Oh. Nah, just the other thing."
>"I beg your pardon?"
-
> "The length request, from right before they got here. Sounds like Ranka's on board."
-
> "The length request, from right before they got here. Sounds like Ranka's on board."
>As Liluye nods, Aya starts. "Ain't that enough?" she asks, eying your lengthy hair.
-
>"I just finished, actually, so you aren't wrong. Maybe."
-
>"I just finished, actually, so you aren't wrong. Maybe."
>"Suit yourself." Aya says with a shrug. "I'd say you could pull it off, but it's gonna make getting shots in the field a bit harder for ya."
>"How do you figure that?" Ranka asks her.
>"Trailing that much hair behind, makes you easier to spot. Believe me, I didn't have short hair back on the other Mountain just because I liked the feel of wind on my neck."
-
>"It's just my way of helping you ease back into things."
-
>"It's just my way of helping you ease back into things."
>"Heh. Don't do me any favors, kiddo."
>"If I may interrupt?" Momiji asks. "Has Celes been by here yet?"
-
>"She was, but she left again to explore the village. Feel like fetching her, Ranka?"
>"Have either of you seen my double around?"
-
>"She was, but she left again to explore the village. Feel like fetching her, Ranka?"
>"You'd rather me chase after someone else's rear?" she says with a naughty grin. "Sure, but only for you."
>"Has she always been like that back home?" Momiji asks Aya quietly once Ranka leaves.
>"Ever since I've known her, 'miji."
>"Have either of you seen my double around?"
>"She was heading up the mountain after we left our city." Momiji informs you. "I believe she was headed for the Moriya shrine."
>"Probably wanted to get Sanae and the others takes on you." Aya speculates.
-
>"Huh. Oh well, did you guys find anything interesting?"
-
>"Huh. Oh well, did you guys find anything interesting?"
>Aya starts to reply, but Momiji lays a hand on her shoulder, silencing her for a moment. "We can speak freely?"
-
>Nod.
-
>Nod.
>"I am like you, Momiji Inubashiri." Liluye tells her as her hands return to your hair. "A youkai from Gensokyo that was caught by the trap of this book. I have been here for many decades now."
>"But, you have managed not to get caught in the same snare that took Marisa and the others?"
>"I have. It has not been an easy task, but a disciplined mind can do it."
>"How?"
>Liluye stops her work on your hair for a moment to look at Momiji. "As much as this world is real, its spirits are a lie. That thought has sustained me where otherwise I might have failed."
>Aya shoots you a grin. "Told ya she was an odd bird."
-
>"I'm pretty sure she's good, so you can trust her."
-
>"I'm pretty sure she's good, so you can trust her."
>"Good enough for me. Once your new girlfriend brings Celes back, we can strategize on how we can get out of this place. Oh, have you heard anything about Dio down here?"
-
> Have we, aside from what Liluye has told us just now?
-
> Have we, aside from what Liluye has told us just now?
>You have not.
-
>"Yeah, Liluye here told me about her. Apparently she's just Sakuya except crazy."
-
>"Yeah, Liluye here told me about her. Apparently she's just Sakuya except crazy."
>"That is not, precisely, what I said, Hatate." the barber admonishes you.
-
>"It's the meat of it, though."
-
>"It's the meat of it, though."
>Liluye stops her work again to give you an appraising look, before turning her attention to Aya and Momiji. "The discussion Hatate and I had in regards to the vampire hunter called Dio was more philosophical than strictly informational."
>Aya blinks in confusion. "Do I wanna know?" she asks you.
-
>"Don't worry about it."
-
>"Don't worry about it."
>"Then, you have met this vampire hunter?" Momiji asks her.
>"Many times. I was the only individual in this world she was safe with."
>"And do you think she would help us try and escape this book?"
>Liluye nods. "I have little doubt of that. She has tried at least twice, and while she has failed, she remains undaunted."
>"Does that mean that you haven't tried yourself?"
>The barber shakes her head. "No. Although Dio is convinced she knows how to escape, I did not believe she and I alone could penetrate the defenses of the Keep."
>"So there IS a way out there?" Momiji asks eagerly.
>"Dio is convinced of it. I am somewhat less certain, but I do know that that location stands out amongst all others in this Gensokyo. I do not know if it holds an exit of any kind, but it is definately special."
-
>"We'll get into it a bit more when Celes gets back."
-
>"We'll get into it a bit more when Celes gets back."
>Momiji nods. "That's probably best. But let me ask this, Hatate, did you happen to see Ran Yakumo on your way here?"
-
>We did not did we?
>Either way, indicate what is correct.
-
>We did not did we?
>Either way, indicate what is correct.
>You did not, and you tell Momiji so.
>"Still thinking about how to get her on side?" Aya asks her.
>"Yes. Or rather if we can get her on our side."
>"Ah, you always worry too much, 'Miji. You and Hatate here got through to me, after all. Ran shouldn't be too hard after that."
>As Momiji chuckles at Aya's vote of confidence in yours and her skills, the door of the barber shop opens again, admitting Celes and the youkai with the colorful wings she left with. "Ah, Ms. Shameimaru, Ms. Inubashiri. Have you been waiting long for me?"
>"Not at all." the white wolf answers her.
>"The children of this village are a very curious group." the Keep steward says with a faint smile. "They welcomed the sight of my mount, and looked upon me as someone they thought was 'cool'. I am not at all accustomed to such a reception. Such cannot be the norm, can it?"
-
>"Sounds like you haven't visited the village enough! Keep this up, and you'll totally steal Reimu's thunder!"
-
>"Sounds like you haven't visited the village enough! Keep this up, and you'll totally steal Reimu's thunder!"
>Celes closes her eyes. "Gensokyo truly has changed..."
-
>"I mean, we call it the bad old days for a reason, you know."
>"So, are we all ready?"
-
>"I mean, we call it the bad old days for a reason, you know."
>"So, are we all ready?"
>"Although it still has a ways to go before it catches all the way up to this place..." Aya murmurs.
>"Don't think that too strongly, Ms Shamei-"
>"I told you before, it's just Aya." the tengu cuts her off. "And I know, I don't need another lesson. It's, it's just..."
>"I understand." Celes answers sympathetically. "Believe me, I do."
>The majority of the tengu in the room answer you with a nod, save Liluye, who asks, "You are satisfied with this length for your hair?"
-
>"It's good. Let's just get this started."
-
>"It's good. Let's just get this started."
>"Then I suggest we first decide on whether or not we should try to free Ran Yakumo from the influence of the book." Celes puts forth.
-
> "Does she have another way to get out?"
-
> "Does she have another way to get out?"
>"Theoritically, yes. Patchouli and Setsuka, and whomever else is aiding them, may succeed at releasing her with or without our involvement. It may also be that, if we succeed at infiltrating the Keep, we may find a way to free her and the others ourselves. At this point, I have no way of knowing for sure what we may find there."
-
>"Are both Rans still here, or just our Ran now?"
-
>"Are both Rans still here, or just our Ran now?"
>Liluye replies, "To my knowledge, there are two Ran Yakumos in this world."
-
>Nod. "Well, that's a pain. But at least it won't be hard to tell 'em apart."
-
>Nod. "Well, that's a pain. But at least it won't be hard to tell 'em apart."
>"And if she can't, I can." says Ranka, sticking her head in through the front door.
>"Please, come inside, wind spirit." Liluye asks of her.
>"Yeah, yeah, secret meeting." the blonde says reluctantly, stepping into the barber shop. "I just don't like being indoors for too long."
-
>"Well, at least you can come indoors. Would it help if Aya kicked up a breeze for you?"
-
>"Well, at least you can come indoors. Would it help if Aya kicked up a breeze for you?"
>"Nah, I'll just deal. Besides, I think better when I'm closer to you."
-
>"It is my job to be most illuminating." Gesture for her to come in.
-
>"It is my job to be most illuminating." Gesture for her to come in.
>She has already stepped inside, but at your beckoning, she breezes past the other two tengu to stand closer to you.
>"Fascinating." Liluye muses. "Why would proximity to Hatate have such an effect on you?"
>"I've been thinking about that, too." says Ranka. "There was something in Hatate's wind, when I first met her. Something I didn't recognize, something different. And something inside me changed. I still don't understand what that was, or why it happened. But now I'm different than all the other characters."
-
>"I just got you to question enough things, I think."
-
>"I just got you to question enough things, I think."
>"But that shouldn't have been possible. Not with a world like this." Celes says. "As I mentioned before, Liluye, I have taken this as a sign that the fabric of this world is weakening. There is a, a corruption, if you will, in the system. Most likely as a result of the book trying to hold too many powerful people with powerful wills."
>"Does make sense." Aya agrees. "Me, Yukari's servant, Marisa and Alice, that's some pretty tough customers for a book to keep a hold of. Plus trying to track down Dio. Add the three of you, and that'd test almost anyone or anything. "
>"What about Greed?" Momiji asks Celes. "He's still here as well."
>Celes shakes her head. "I doubt he has put much strain on the system. He has embraced this world. This place was designed to make desires come true, and Greed is nothing but desire. That I think is why we should probably leave him alone, whatever we do about Ran. He might prove to be more resistant to our efforts than even Marisa and Alice."
-
>"Is it...good for what's-her-name to just leave him here, though?"
-
>"Is it...good for what's-her-name to just leave him here, though?"
>Celes frowns. "I am not certain." she admits after a moment. "My fellows and I have discussed that at length, and even Tsumiko herself isn't sure what the consequences would be to her if she was profoundly separated from one of her Spirits."
>"However, I do believe that he would cause more harm to our efforts than good. Not the least reason being that to win him over to our side, we would need to separate him from the fabric of this world as we did with Aya. He would find a way to revenge that loss upon us. And that's assuming we could win him over in the first place, a prospect I find highly dubious."
>"Can't you just beat some sense into him?" Aya asks her. "It works for Reimu."
>Celes concedes, "It is possible. However, in his current situation, we would have to fight our way through the residents of the Scarlet Devil Manor before getting to him. I'm sure Reimu would be able to do that, but I am not as confidant in our ability to match her."
-
>"I still think we just burn it down, then hit them when they are distracted dealing with it, or afterward when its gone and they're homeless. It'll just take good planning."
>"Actually. Couldn't we just appeal to his, uh, sense of greed with the fakeness of it all? I mean, one real coin's better than all the fake stuff in the world."
-
>"I still think we just burn it down, then hit them when they are distracted dealing with it, or afterward when its gone and they're homeless. It'll just take good planning."
>"Too much risk for not enough reward. I admit, Greed is extremely intelligent and crafty. If he was on our side, I have no doubt he would have ideas that would not occur to any of us. But I believe the most practical thing to do would be to leave him where he is. The others outside the book can retreive him at their leisure, assuming Tsumiko wants him back at all."
>"Actually. Couldn't we just appeal to his, uh, sense of greed with the fakeness of it all? I mean, one real coin's better than all the fake stuff in the world."
>"To you and I, yes. But Greed doesn't see things the way you and I do. He is more than just mindless avarice, yes, but desire is still his primary drive. He craves like others breathe. This place, this book, gives him something he'd never have normally: Everything he ever wanted at his fingertips, just for the asking. In our world, he'd always be limited, either by Tsumiko or whoever else he was possessing at the time. This place has no limits."
>"Yes it does." Aya cuts in. "It does have limits. US. WE'RE limits to the power of this book. It has to put time and effort into us, and that's less time it can give to Greed." She grins that irritatingly smug grin of hers. "We can have it both ways. If Hatate can convince him to help us get out, then he'd have the book all to himself. Well yeah, he'd still have to share it with Ran, Alice and Marisa, but that wasn't a problem before."
>"Wait a minute." Momiji says. "Why Hatate?"
>Aya folds her arms. "Well, it was her idea."
-
>"Can't blame her for nominating the best, can you? And I'm not ready to write off the others yet."
-
>"Can't blame her for nominating the best, can you? And I'm not ready to write off the others yet."
>"I can maybe see getting Ran over to our side." says Aya. "But if I read Celes right, I doubt we've really got a chance with Marisa and Alice."
>"What makes you so sure?" Momiji asks her.
>Celes answers, "This book gave them a child. To convince them to leave, we'd have to convince them to give up their daughter."
-
>"Or find a way to bring her along. I mean, if the kid is part youkai, then it's definitely a thing we can do."
-
>"Or find a way to bring her along. I mean, if the kid is part youkai, then it's definitely a thing we can do."
>"On the contrary. It is something that has a slim chance of even being possible. I don't know if the book created her, or if it gave them the ability to biologically produce a child. Such things are possible for his traps, yes. But either way, she came about as a result of this world. She's just a character in it. She can't exist beyond the fabric of this world's magic."
-
>"That's what you would have said about Ranka like an hour ago."
-
>"That's what you would have said about Ranka like an hour ago."
>Celes gives the wind spirit a sad look. "I still would." she says quietly.
-
>"Youkai need you to believe in them, Celes. That's why there's a Gensokyo to start with, you know?"
-
>"Youkai need you to believe in them, Celes. That's why there's a Gensokyo to start with, you know?"
>"Hatate, I have been dealing with traps such as this one since before you were born." the stewart says sympathetically. "And not once has anything produced by the trap been successfully taken out of it. I grant, Ranka is fairly unique in that regard, but I simply don't believe it's possible for her to leave this book, anymore than Alice and Marisa's daughter. All my experience tells me otherwise."
>"But that does not mean there is no hope." Liluye puts in. "Even with a trap created by a vampire like that one, there is still hope. The magic of this book is strange and, in its own way, wonderous."
>"Be that as it may, Liluye, I've seen too much to hope for that. Escape, yes, that I can hope for. But for the book to produce a true life?" She shakes her head sadly.
-
>"Not much different than how most youkai are born. And maybe you're older than me, but that's because you spent like a century asleep? What I can say is that I've been in Gensokyo a whole lot longer than you, and know a bunch more about youkai, because it's my job. Trust me, it'll work. But you being all negative about it isn't going to help, because youkai need people to believe in them."
-
>"Not much different than how most youkai are born. And maybe you're older than me, but that's because you spent like a century asleep? What I can say is that I've been in Gensokyo a whole lot longer than you, and know a bunch more about youkai, because it's my job. Trust me, it'll work. But you being all negative about it isn't going to help, because youkai need people to believe in them."
>"What you call negativity is simple realism. I do not disbelieve in miracles; the Countess herself is one, in her own way. As is Gensokyo. But I cannot believe this book would produce a miracle where not one of his other traps have."
-
>"Well, you're kinda making the mistake in assuming this is anything like the other situations, aren't you? We already have more people here, for example, than you'd have in your experiments. Second, there wasn't even a Gensokyo for very long, if at all, when you would have been doing most of them, given you guys woke up about a month ago?"
-
>"Well, you're kinda making the mistake in assuming this is anything like the other situations, aren't you? We already have more people here, for example, than you'd have in your experiments. Second, there wasn't even a Gensokyo for very long, if at all, when you would have been doing most of them, given you guys woke up about a month ago?"
>"On the contrary. He's made traps that have held more than 20 souls at once in fantasy worlds like this one. And yes, the real Gensokyo did exist at the time, and had for centuries. We took the Keep away from him in the year 1792, and we started work on releasing his imprisoned souls the next year."
>"Why the gap?" Momiji asks her.
>"That is a very long story. To try and make it short, we were trapped in another dimension for a time after his defeat."
-
(Oh, are we ignoring the thing where Gensokyo was canonically established in the 19th century? My bad!)
>"Huh, what was that like?"
-
(Oh, are we ignoring the thing where Gensokyo was canonically established in the 19th century? My bad!)
>"Huh, what was that like?"
(Um.... Now that you mention, I think I actually said the same thing myself earlier in the game, didn't I?)
(A brief pause while I check.)
-
I have resolved the matter. I'm not sure what canon sources say, but within this canon, The Hakurei Barrier was indeed erected in the 19th century. Towards the end of it, according to the reply to a question asked last year. (God, this game's run long) However, the region known as Gensokyo has existed for at least eleven centuries, mentioned in a post all the way back in thread one. Which I had, admittedly, at least patrially forgotten.
-
(IN TOPIC BUT OUT ROLEPLAY)Long time no see and a Wonderful Christmas and Nativity with all its celebrations to all of MotK. :).I am thinkin' o' joining again on Hatate 4/nelj?(Finnish,ahah) when I'll be inspired to write good roleplay to add to the already peachy story. I Hope for a swarm of dedicated players ;)
I have resolved the matter. I'm not sure what canon sources say, but within this canon, The Hakurei Barrier was indeed erected in the 19th century... However, the region known as Gensokyo has existed for at least eleven centuries...
(IN TOPIC BUT OUT ROLEPLAY) Be proud and serene,Sour.In fact you have drawn time-zones from Touhou Canon.Here's a fun and inspirational Updated Referenced Timeline (http://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Gensokyo_Timeline#cite_note-th105_ed11-6) Completely in-rail with it both on Barrier-Gensokyo being of the end of 19th Century(1884-1885)and Region-Gensokyo at least 11 centuries if not even more;probably when the first beings and objects of Illusions, Apparitions ,Youkai in a wide sense were born. Enough writing , have at thee Quest!.
-
(IN TOPIC BUT OUT ROLEPLAY)Long time no see and a Wonderful Christmas and Nativity with all its celebrations to all of MotK. :).I am thinkin' o' joining again on Hatate 4/nelj?(Finnish,ahah) when I'll be inspired to write good roleplay to add to the already peachy story. I Hope for a swarm of dedicated players ;)(IN TOPIC BUT OUT ROLEPLAY) Be proud and serene,Sour.In fact you have drawn time-zones from Touhou Canon.Here's a fun and inspirational Updated Referenced Timeline (http://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Gensokyo_Timeline#cite_note-th105_ed11-6) Completely in-rail with it both on Barrier-Gensokyo being of the end of 19th Century(1884-1885)and Region-Gensokyo at least 11 centuries if not even more;probably when the first beings and objects of Illusions, Apparitions ,Youkai in a wide sense were born. Enough writing , have at thee Quest!.
Happy to see you again, Branneg, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.
You feel free to join back into the story here whenever you wish.
>"Huh, what was that like?"
>"It was a... difficult period." Celes says after searching for the right word. "That transitory dimension was not as bountiful as the Earth. Nor were its inhabitants as peaceful. Their minds were drastically different than that of earths. I made the mistake of trying to ride one, and it was a very uncomfortable experience. If you'd like, I'd be happy to tell you that whole story, and you as well, Ms. Shameimaru, at a more opportune time."
-
>Nod.
>"Yeah, that'd be good. Anyways. Let's say we can't convince Marisa and Alice to come with us, and can't convince them they can bring their kid. What then? Stuff 'em in a bag while they're asleep and drag 'em with us?"
-
>Nod.
>"Yeah, that'd be good. Anyways. Let's say we can't convince Marisa and Alice to come with us, and can't convince them they can bring their kid. What then? Stuff 'em in a bag while they're asleep and drag 'em with us?"
>"It may indeed come to that." Celes concedes. "However, at this point, I don't believe that will be necessary. I have seen enough of this trap to see that it isn't as lethal as some of his others. We could make our escape, and take what we have learned to Patchouli and Setsuka outside. It may help them release Ran and the others in a safer manner than we might manage. They will not be lost in that time."
-
>"Honestly, I think they'd be happier with just being kidnapped. Also don't really trust that time difference thing, either."
-
>"Honestly, I think they'd be happier with just being kidnapped. Also don't really trust that time difference thing, either."
>"Howso?"
-
>"Kidnapping the more proper way gives them time to start coping, you know? They're readied for it, rather than just being suddenly ripped out and it's all done."
-
>"Kidnapping the more proper way gives them time to start coping, you know? They're readied for it, rather than just being suddenly ripped out and it's all done."
>"I'm sorry, I meant to ask about the time differential you mentioned." Celes clarifies.
-
>"Oh, that. Well, let's say it takes five hours after we leave to fish them out. That's still however many months here, if not more. Which is kind of a problem for Marisa, since she's human and all."
-
>"Oh, that. Well, let's say it takes five hours after we leave to fish them out. That's still however many months here, if not more. Which is kind of a problem for Marisa, since she's human and all."
>"Time is not constant here." Liluye informs you. "Its flow differs from person to person. Real person, that is."
-
>"Inconsistant means it's worse! It could be years for them. And how do you even know that?"
-
>"Inconsistant means it's worse! It could be years for them. And how do you even know that?"
>"I have been here a long time." the barber replies.
-
>"I guess, but it's not like you've been able to pop in and out to check the calendar. And really, the first thing I said is way more the important bit."
-
>"I guess, but it's not like you've been able to pop in and out to check the calendar. And really, the first thing I said is way more the important bit."
>"You mean 'it could be years from now'?" Celes asks. "Yes, potentially. But not always. People don't always age at a consistant rate when he traps them. And with just the rings I have on me, I can't tell how time will affect Marisa and the others when they're pulled out of here. Or us, for that matter."
-
"That sounds like a whole lot of assumptions that don't have any actual guarantee, don't you think? I'm not real comfortable just gambling on them like that. Maybe Ran, because a few years doesn't really matter to youkai, but them? No way."
-
"That sounds like a whole lot of assumptions that don't have any actual guarantee, don't you think? I'm not real comfortable just gambling on them like that. Maybe Ran, because a few years doesn't really matter to youkai, but them? No way."
>"I agree." says Momiji. "We should at least try. We're here and we're aware of the situation. We have a responsibility to try and help all three of them, like we helped Aya."
>"I admire your devotion, Ms. Inubashiri." Celes says with an inclination of her head. "And I respect your tenacity, Ms. Himekaidou. But I simply don't know if we can."
>"And I respect your experience with this sort of thing. But we owe it to them to try."
-
>Nod in agreement.
>"Can't just leave them up to the whims of fate."
-
>Nod in agreement.
>"Can't just leave them up to the whims of fate."
>"How then would you get through to Marisa and the others?" Celes asks both you and Momiji. With a perfectly straight face, she adds, "Assuming you do not proceed directly to the kidnapping option."
-
>"I already told you, and I expect you to keep your negativity out of it next time. Things now aren't like things back when you had time to do those experiments."
-
>"I already told you, and I expect you to keep your negativity out of it next time. Things now aren't like things back when you had time to do those experiments."
>"Then, I shall simply wish you luck?"
-
>Smile.
>"Yeah, that'll do. So that's our next step, getting the others?"
-
>Smile.
>"Yeah, that'll do. So that's our next step, getting the others?"
>"It seems logical." Celes replies. "Before we start to draw up plans for infiltrating the Keep, it would be best if we knew how many people-"
>"How much firepower, you mean." Aya interrupts her.
>"Perhaps. As I was saying, how many resources we have available to us."
-
>"I dunno. I don't think getting through the keep is going to be an issue of firepower. Otherwise, Sakuya would have already figured it out."
-
>"I dunno. I don't think getting through the keep is going to be an issue of firepower. Otherwise, Sakuya would have already figured it out."
>"Not necessarily. Dio is a very resourseful and skilled vampire hunter, but if this Keep is the core of this world, it's no surprise to me that she would have been repulsed twice. I am fairly confidant that I couldn't even do it alone, and no one in this world knows the Keep better than me."
-
>"On the other hand, Sakuya can literally stop time. I can't imagine any trap is smart enough to figure that out, unless it's actually got the brains of a person. Are you sure it's nothing more than not having the muscle?"
-
>"On the other hand, Sakuya can literally stop time. I can't imagine any trap is smart enough to figure that out, unless it's actually got the brains of a person. Are you sure it's nothing more than not having the muscle?"
>"I have not forgotten Dio's temporal powers. However, Dio's ability does not seem to be as strong as Sakuya's is. That's why she carries as much equipment as she does; she can't just stop time, stake a vampire and walk away."
>"And I suspect that the Keep does in fact have the brains of a person. The cores of his traps often do. The soul of the person it used to be will defend itself."
-
>"Huh. Any idea who?"
-
>"Huh. Any idea who?"
>"It could be anyone. He made victims of people from all walks of life, from the homeless to the wealthy, from the new world to ancient China. Or even multiple people. But that is one thing I suspect we may find within the Keep. The Cores usually contain some at least some vestige of the person or people it used to be. Often well hidden, sometimes only fragments, but not always is the original soul utterly eradicated."
>"In fact, the fact that the core has taken the shape of the Keep is a clue in and of itself. That implies the Core was made from someone that had either seen it, or even visited it."
-
>"So, can we get through to them, maybe?"
-
>"So, can we get through to them, maybe?"
>"I sincerely hope so. But I won't know for certain until we get inside."
>"It is possible to learn anything about who this person might be outside of the Keep?" Momiji asks her.
>"Technically, yes, but I wouldn't know what to look for. Their story might appear to us to be just another inhabitant of Gensokyo. No, only once we're inside can we really learn anything of value. Assuming we can get inside at all."
-
>"Well, I could see how that'd trip up Sakuya, at least."
-
>"Well, I could see how that'd trip up Sakuya, at least."
>"Why do you consistently refer to her as 'Sakuya'?" Celes asks politely. "The vampire hunter trapped here makes no claim to that name."
-
>"Because rice is still rice even if you call it cucumbers."
-
>"Because rice is still rice even if you call it cucumbers."
>"'A rose by any other name', as it was written." Celes says with a nod. "Well, it shouldn't matter when you meet her. Dio does not seem to hold any particular fondness or revulsion from any name, at least not as far as I know."
-
>"Good."
-
>"Good."
>"Do you happen to knew where we might find Ran?" Momiji asks Liluye.
>"I am not entirely certain. Her mission keeps her traveling frequently."
>Aya ahems. "She oughta be here in the village for the next couple days."
-
>"Which? And where at?"
-
>"Which? And where at?"
>"According to my information, she's working with Keine for the next week... Well, more like five days, now. But as for which one, that, I'm... less sure on."
-
>"I guess we can figure it out when we get there."
-
>"I guess we can figure it out when we get there."
>"Who do you want to go after first?" Momiji asks you.
-
>"Well if Ran's in town, we might as at least see if it's the actual Ran while we're here."
-
>"Well if Ran's in town, we might as at least see if it's the actual Ran while we're here."
>"But how can we make that determination?"
-
>"It'll be easy. She won't interact with the winds right."
-
>"It'll be easy. She won't interact with the winds right."
>Momiji frowns. "Are you sure that'll work on a Shikigami?"
-
>"I don't see why it wouldn't work on a fake shikigami."
-
>"I don't see why it wouldn't work on a fake shikigami."
>"And if it doesn't, I should be able to tell." Ranka says. "I think I can tell by now what's part of the magic of this world and what isn't."
-
>"See? Easy. Really it's just a question of how we approach the actual Ran."
-
>"See? Easy. Really it's just a question of how we approach the actual Ran."
>"I hope you've got an idea there." Momiji replies. "I don't think I do."
-
>"Nothing immediately. I kinda want to learn about her circumstances before I make any real plans, you know?"
-
>"Nothing immediately. I kinda want to learn about her circumstances before I make any real plans, you know?"
>Celes makes a thoughtful noise. "We know at least part of what she's been doing in this world, from Marisa and Reimu. Perhaps if you could learn why, that could be a start."
>"Didn't they tell us that, too?" Momiji asks her.
>"I suspect there is a deeper reason. This book is designed to grant peoples' desires. She must have a reason for wanting to do this."
-
>"All I know is that she was up to something before she came here, according to Yukari."
>Glance toward Aya, to see if she offers anything. They were supposedly working together, if Yukari was right.
-
>"All I know is that she was up to something before she came here, according to Yukari."
>Glance toward Aya, to see if she offers anything. They were supposedly working together, if Yukari was right.
>"The same thing she's been up to here, actually." the elder Crow tengu answers. "She seemed to just pick up where she left off after the book sucked her in. Neither one of us thought anything was off."
-
>"Huh. I wonder if her spats with her duplicate had much to do with that? Anyways, I'm guessing you two aren't really working together on that anymore?"
-
>"Huh. I wonder if her spats with her duplicate had much to do with that? Anyways, I'm guessing you two aren't really working together on that anymore?"
>"Not as much as we were. I had been sniffing out some information for her, but since she found that spare Ran, the two of them have been handling all the sensitive stuff. I'm still working on some inner-tengu related things for her, but they're not finished yet. Finding the right people for her's awful hard. But she did say that she'd need me later, when the time came to put it all together. Said I was the 'Representative of the modern Crow Tengu people.'"
-
>"Yeah right. But does that mean there were more people involved, then? Just what did she have you doing?"
>Frown.
>"Actually, let's save that. Right now we oughta be working on her."
-
>"Yeah right. But does that mean there were more people involved, then? Just what did she have you doing?"
>Frown.
>"Actually, let's save that. Right now we oughta be working on her."
>Aya's mouth opens then closes again. "Right."
-
>"It'd probably be too much if we all approached her. So...who's interested?"
-
>"It'd probably be too much if we all approached her. So...who's interested?"
>Ranka nods. "You might need me one way or the other."
>Aya, however, gives you a grin. "I'm inclined to leave that up to you, kiddo. You got me out of the book's hold. I'll follow your lead on this one. Take who you'll think you need."
-
>Nod to Ranka. "I was hoping to have you along. Hmm...okay. Aya, you're with me, because you two are allies. The rest of you...uh...I dunno, figure something out. We'll be back with a fox in a little bit."
-
>Nod to Ranka. "I was hoping to have you along. Hmm...okay. Aya, you're with me, because you two are allies. The rest of you...uh...I dunno, figure something out. We'll be back with a fox in a little bit."
>"Is Kamishirasawa-sensei's school still in the same place?" Momiji asks Aya.
>The Crow nods. "It's a bit bigger than in our world, on account of there being more youkai there, but it's the same building."
>"She teaches youkai now?"
>Aya nods again. "Fairies, too. Different world."
-
WHOOPS forgot this was a thing
> "So, we good, then?"
-
WHOOPS forgot this was a thing
> "So, we good, then?"
>Aya inclines her head towards you. "Lead on."
>Ranka replies by, as she promised, lifting up the ends of your hair. Strictly speaking, this is not entirely necessary for her to do given its length, but she is evidently a wind spirit of her word.
-
> Grin at Liluye.
> "I'm sure I'll be back for more at some point."
> Pause.
> "...Come to think of it, is hair the only thing you do?"
-
> Grin at Liluye.
> "I'm sure I'll be back for more at some point."
> Pause.
> "...Come to think of it, is hair the only thing you do?"
>"Very well. Shall I start a tab for you?"
>"You mean, in terms of growth?"
-
> "Sure. And yeah, or manipulation in general."
-
> "Sure. And yeah, or manipulation in general."
>"Yes."
-
herp i am idort ,_?
> "Hm. You know anyone else that can?"
-
herp i am idort ,_?
> "Hm. You know anyone else that can?"
>'"Manipulation' is a broadly encompassing word, Hatate. If you could be more specific?"
-
> "Inducing permanent physical changes in a person. Like, how you can do hair, maybe someone else could do ears, or legs, or other things."
-
> "Inducing permanent physical changes in a person. Like, how you can do hair, maybe someone else could do ears, or legs, or other things."
>"Hhhh.... Well, Bykauren Hijiri has that power. She possesses a great deal of magical knowledge and power, but reportedly, she specializes in physical augmentation."
>Aya nods. "True. And she does it for folks, too. Not often, far as I know, but she does. So does Eirin, actually, except she does it with medicine not magic. Costs more as well."
>"And I recall that Suika Ibuki also has the ability to alter both her body and others." Liluye adds.
>"Oh yeah, gathering and density and all that. She's got a pretty versatile power there. Come to think of it, Yukari probably could, too."
-
> Nod.
> "I'll keep all that in mind for later, then. Right now, we have a fox to catch."
> Leave the shop and head toward the school.
-
> Nod.
> "I'll keep all that in mind for later, then. Right now, we have a fox to catch."
> Leave the shop and head toward the school.
>"You've got me thinking now." Aya says as the three of you take your leave of the others. "What are you up to, kiddo?"
-
I swear to almighty fuck that last post didn't show up for me.
>"What do you mean?"
-
>"What do you mean?"
>Aya nods at your newly elongated locks. "New do isn't enough?"
-
> "We'll see. It makes sense to keep options open now that I know it's possible, y'know?"
-
> "We'll see. It makes sense to keep options open now that I know it's possible, y'know?"
>"That is true, options are always good. But you don't really need any work for yourself, if you don't mind me saying. You're still young, after all."
-
>"Besides, it's a fun change. Once I get tired of it, it's easy to fix."
-
>"Besides, it's a fun change. Once I get tired of it, it's easy to fix."
>"Just make sure you can pay for 'em. Folks don't work in that field for free, y'know."
-
>"Did you seriously just say I couldn't afford a haircut?"
-
>"Did you seriously just say I couldn't afford a haircut?"
>Aya laughs. "Defensive? No, of course I didn't mean that. I was thinking about more exotic areas. Longer legs, different eye colors, even extra eyes... It's easy to get carried away if you're not careful. I've seen it before."
-
>"Okay now you got to tell me about how you've seen it before."
-
>"Okay now you got to tell me about how you've seen it before."
>"Are you suure?" she asks with verve. "I've scared more than one person around the campfire with that story."
-
>"Good thing there isn't a campfire, then!"
-
>"Good thing there isn't a campfire, then!"
>"Well all right, but remember, you asked for it." Aya says with an exaggerated ominous tone. "This goes back about four hundred years or so, back when the Tokugawas were still in power out on the human world. A woman wandered into Gensokyo, was easier to do that back in the day. Apparantly she was suffering from a disease of some kind, I think it was TB. Used to be a lot more common. Anyway, it didn't kill her, and neither did the youkai she met. In fact the guy cured her. Apparantly made her healthier than she'd ever been before in her life. Even threw in a little youkai-style toughening for her. The guy really liked her."
>"But see, all that did was give the girl a taste. Imagine living your life, and you go from frail to diseased to dying slowly, and then all of a sudden you meet this handsome guy who fixes you all up and more. After that, being human wasn't quite good enough. She had a taste of our life, and she wanted more. So she started- Oh, we're here."
-
>"Right at the good part."
>Look around to get a sense of what "here" looks like in this particular...world? Unworld? Illusion? Reflection? Bleh. Maybe see if we can catch a glimpse of Ran, too.
-
>"Right at the good part."
>Look around to get a sense of what "here" looks like in this particular...world? Unworld? Illusion? Reflection? Bleh. Maybe see if we can catch a glimpse of Ran, too.
>"Don't blame me for making good time."
>Seeing Keine's school in pictures only before, you can tell it's had an extension built onto it in this... whatever you want to call this place. Not a huge one, just two stories, but enough to accommodate another schoolroom or two. Through a window in the second story of this extension, you spot Ran Yakumo, with her back to the window and her head down.
-
>Let's try to get a sense of whether or not it's the real Ran, or illusionary.
-
>Let's try to get a sense of whether or not it's the real Ran, or illusionary.
>Despite the window and wall between you and her, you get a sense from Ran. Bizarrely, you smell sushi from her.
-
>"You see her? I think that might be the real thing."
>What does she seem to be doing?
-
>"You see her? I think that might be the real thing."
>What does she seem to be doing?
>"Yeah, that's our Ran, all right." Aya confirms.
>From her body language, you believe she is reading something.
-
>"Doesn't look like she's too busy, at least not with anyone else. Let's go have a word before she gets away!"
>Head into the school! See if we can figure out how to get to her from the way the external layout is.
-
>"Doesn't look like she's too busy, at least not with anyone else. Let's go have a word before she gets away!"
>Head into the school! See if we can figure out how to get to her from the way the external layout is.
>Not spying an open window, you and you two cronies elect for the old-fashioned way: the front door. There's a number of interesting smells in this place, you notice straightaway. Children'll do that, though. In fact, one of them makes her presence known to you almost as soon as you enter. A handful of seconds after you pass through the doorway, into a large porch that opens into a split hallway, a blue-haired fairy in a dress and beret that match her hair color flits around the left-hand corner barreling towards you, then skids to a stop when she spies you and your two partners. "Big birds!" she cries, the promptly turns and hauls back the way she came.
-
>Offended: "Hey!"
>After a moment to process things, just shrug. "Kids. Well, faeries. Same thing."
>Proceed and try to find our way toward where Ran is.
-
>Offended: "Hey!"
>After a moment to process things, just shrug. "Kids. Well, faeries. Same thing."
>Proceed and try to find our way toward where Ran is.
>"You said it, kiddo." Aya agrees, pointing back the way that fairy went. "Stairs're that way."
>"Been here before?" Ranka asks her.
>"'course I have. I'm even welcome now. Mostly." she adds with a grimace. "That hakutaku can really hold a grudge when she wants to. Even after all these years. Keep that in mind." she advises you. "Don't let Keine catch you. She'll never let you live it down."
>The rest of the people present, and there are others you can hear, do not make their presence known to you as you follow Aya's lead up a flight of stairs, down another corridor, to a solid teak door, which Aya knocks on. "Enter." Ran's voice calls from within.
-
>Enter!
-
>Enter!
>The door admits you into a small bookcase-lined office, furnished additionally only by a low wooden table, a small oil lamp and a globe. Ran is currently kneeling at the table poring over a very old-looking scroll covered with a script you do not recognize. Several more scrolls are nested at her right arm, and a few books are to her left.
>She looks up to see you as you enter. "Ah, the two aces of the Tengu journalism world. I've not seen this for many a year."
-
>Let the others in, then take care to close the door.
>"Just a month or two, really."
-
>Let the others in, then take care to close the door.
>"Just a month or two, really."
>"I beg your pardon?"
-
>"You haven't been gone that long, Ran. Time's just weirder here."
-
>"You haven't been gone that long, Ran. Time's just weirder here."
>A couple of the kitsune's tails swish behind her, and she gives Aya an amused smile. "Am I missing out on a private joke?"
>"Probably, but, not from Hatate here."
>Ran seems a bit dissatisfied, but seems to mentally shrug it off. "Is there something I can do for you ladies?"
-
>"We'd like to talk for a bit, if you don't mind. But I'll just lay my cards right on the table. We're going home, and we want your help."
-
>"We'd like to talk for a bit, if you don't mind. But I'll just lay my cards right on the table. We're going home, and we want your help."
>Ran leans back from her scroll slightly. You clearly have her attention now. "Do you reside on Youkai Mountain, Ranka?" she asks the wind spirit hauling your hair around.
>"I don't really 'reside' anywhere."
>"That's what I thought. In that case, Hatate, you'll need to explain."
-
>"Real Gensokyo, not this place."
-
>"Real Gensokyo, not this place."
>"That is a... insufficient explanation." Ran replies politely.
-
>"That is a... insufficient explanation." Ran replies politely.
>Glance toward Aya.
>"Have you forgotten you didn't originally come from here?"
>_
-
>Glance toward Aya.
>"Have you forgotten you didn't originally come from here?"
>_
>"I wasn't aware you knew of my origins." she says, with a glare at Aya.
>The elder crow throws up her hands. "Don't look at me, I know better than to go poking around in your history."
-
>"It doesn't take a genius to figure it out when you're from elsewhere yourself, and you hear about two Rans running around from others."
-
>"It doesn't take a genius to figure it out when you're from elsewhere yourself, and you hear about two Rans running around from others."
>Ran smiles, now amused. "You've heard of my doppelganger? Well, there are two of me because, to paraphrase Reimu's eloquent phrasing, 'Yukari was messing around again.' It is not the first time there has been two Ran Yakumos. Or more."
-
>"Well, there's also the part where you leave a real mark in the winds, unlike all the illusions here."
-
>"Well, there's also the part where you leave a real mark in the winds, unlike all the illusions here."
>Ran sighs quietly. "Ladies, if this is an attempt to perplex me so as to gain some amusing photographs, I am otherwise occupied."
-
>"If we were trying to do that, one of us would be hidden and getting the goods, don't you think? But are you trying to tell me you don't remember seeing that book, then waking up here? Or working with Aya on some project in our Gensokyo?"
-
>"If we were trying to do that, one of us would be hidden and getting the goods, don't you think? But are you trying to tell me you don't remember seeing that book, then waking up here? Or working with Aya on some project in our Gensokyo?"
>"I am still working with Aya. Hasn't she mentioned that?"
>"Briefly." Aya admits. "As much as I thought you'd be okay with, anyway."
>Ran nods. "And as for 'that book', well..." She spreads her arms out towards the book and scroll dominated room. "If you could be more specific?"
-
>"The one you found in actual Gensokyo, and it knocked you out and you woke up here. It would have been years ago for you, I think."
>Glance toward Aya. "You both didn't find it together, right? Who was first?"
-
>"The one you found in actual Gensokyo, and it knocked you out and you woke up here. It would have been years ago for you, I think."
>Glance toward Aya. "You both didn't find it together, right? Who was first?"
>"No, not together. I.... I think I found it first."
>"Not first." Ranka says to her. "Marisa and Alice came here first. Ran came next, and then you, Aya."
-
>"How far apart?"
>Look back to Ran. "Any of this sounding familiar? Like, they told me you got into a lot of kerfuffles with your copy when you got here and stuff, too."
-
>"And then after a while,a while longer in this world, there was a sort of settlement meaning the Book taking its hold"
>" About the time apart..."
>"If you can't remember anything important on that , can you recall of having seen or heard some unusuality from the others trapped before you
>"Like unusual for this Fake World from your perspective and maybe your double?"
-
>"How far apart?"
>Ranka closes her eyes to think. "Less than two weeks."
>Look back to Ran. "Any of this sounding familiar? Like, they told me you got into a lot of kerfuffles with your copy when you got here and stuff, too."
>"Define 'kerfuffle', please."
>"And then after a while,a while longer in this world, there was a sort of settlement meaning the Book taking its hold"
>" About the time apart..."
>"If you can't remember anything important on that , can you recall of having seen or heard some unusuality from the others trapped before you
>"Like unusual for this Fake World from your perspective and maybe your double?"
>Ran smiles. "Hatate, this IS Gensokyo. Unusual things happen here all the time. Consider what's happened to your own people. Once, the idea of the tengu reintegrating with the rest of Gensokyo's peoples was a heresy, and now it is the reality."
>"As for my double, that, as I've said, is actually not that unusual. I admit, it isn't common for there to be two of us for this long, but it is not unheard of."
>"Consider this, though." she says, leaning forward and templeing her fingers. "You propose that this Book had the power to capture myself, Marisa Kirisame, Alice Margatroid and Aya Shameimaru, and convince us all that we were living some kind of lie. Now, I am among the most powerful residents of Gensokyo, and the other three women are hardly weaklings. What sort of book would have that kind of power?"
-
>"It doesn't need a whole lot of power, though, it just needs you to believe its lies. Though, we are starting to think it might be hitting a breaking point?"
-
>"It doesn't need a whole lot of power, though, it just needs you to believe its lies. Though, we are starting to think it might be hitting a breaking point?"
>"That would make sense." Ran agrees. "There are few objects or spells I know of that could hold even the four of us without breaking, let alone more people on top of that. Even a person who did not have as much power as the others."
-
>"Right, and one of the people who owns that book is with us."
>"Anyways, I only know half the story about you and your double, but I hear you two didn't get along at all. Why don't you tell me what happened,maybe someone will notice something?"
-
>"Right, and one of the people who owns that book is with us."
>"Anyways, I only know half the story about you and your double, but I hear you two didn't get along at all. Why don't you tell me what happened,maybe someone will notice something?"
>Ran seems a bit confused. "Well, if you wish to hear that story, I will tell it, but perhaps you could clear something up for me first?"
-
>"I'll try."
-
>"I'll try."
>"You said you were with one of the people that owned this book. But does that not imply that this person is responsible for its creation, or at least its use?"
-
>"Not when it gets stolen, no."
-
>"Not when it gets stolen, no."
>Ran ponders that for a moment, then chuckles. "Am I correct in assuming that Marisa made off with something she shouldn't have?"
-
>"Actually, I don't think so this time. It was someone from the <Cerulean Keep, only named right.>"
>_
-
Cobalt?
-
>"Actually, I don't think so this time. It was someone from the <Cerulean Keep, only named right.>"
>_
>"The Cobalt Keep." Ran says warily. "You've met someone from there?"
-
>"A few someones, actually. One of them was travelling with us when this whole kerfluffle began."
-
>"A few someones, actually. One of them was travelling with us when this whole kerfluffle began."
>"That's impossible, they were still supposed to be sealed... No, that's not right." the kitsune mutters, shaking her head in confusion. "Nobody comes from the Keep, and no one goes there, either. It's far too dangerous."
-
>"They got unsealed about a month, month and a half ago. The whole Night of Rage thing, remember that?"
-
>"They got unsealed about a month, month and a half ago. The whole Night of Rage thing, remember that?"
>"No, I, I don't. I don't remember any incident with that title."
-
>"Hmm, musta gone missing before that. It was a real problem, but that's a different story."
>"Anyways, the guy who's living it up in Scarlet Devil Mansion? I am pretty sure that's our thief. Assuming it wasn't Marisa, mind."
-
>"Hmm, musta gone missing before that. It was a real problem, but that's a different story."
>"Anyways, the guy who's living it up in Scarlet Devil Mansion? I am pretty sure that's our thief. Assuming it wasn't Marisa, mind."
>"Maybe she didn't." says Aya. "Remember, I'd forgotten about the Night of Rage, too, until you snapped me out of this world's illusion. It didn't happen in this timeline, but it did in ours."
>"The... guy? Oh, you refer to Greed?" Ran asks you, visibly collecting herself.
-
>"Good point, Aya."
>"Yeah, Greed. They kept him prisoner in the Cobalt Keep, sort of. Restrained, might be the better word? I dunno. Either way, he got loose, and I'm pretty sure he stole the book."
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>"Good point, Aya."
>"Yeah, Greed. They kept him prisoner in the Cobalt Keep, sort of. Restrained, might be the better word? I dunno. Either way, he got loose, and I'm pretty sure he stole the book."
>Ran considers that for a moment. "Are you saying that something from the Keep got loose, and is out in the world?"
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>"Yeah, but you gotta remember, the keep here is wrong and fake. I'm talking about the real one back home, which is pretty much just a kinda rowdier Scarlet Devil Mansion with some nice people."
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>"Yeah, but you gotta remember, the keep here is wrong and fake. I'm talking about the real one back home, which is pretty much just a kinda rowdier Scarlet Devil Mansion with some nice people."
>"Precious little about the Keep is positive in nature, including its residents. It was trouble when it arrived in Gensokyo, and it still is."
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>"See, that's because you're thinking of the fake one. The real one is just fine. I mean, you didn't even bat an eye when I mentioned I had someone here with me from it a minute ago, it wasn't until you started thinking about it and this place's lies started getting to you in that regard that you got worried."
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>Wait for the comeback.After:"The name'd be Celes the Stewardess by the new Vampire Chief; loc is Gensokyo's pacifiic Cobalt Keep and is the most focused,experienced and reliable on these matters to the extent she is able to mostly investigate on her own ".
>Recall the direction and point to her;"Might even catch her with the Tengu-Sight of Momiji".
>Mind memo:"I must keep in mind to relay this one to Momij!"
>Continue not losing a beat: "Not to say we are goin' sidetrack but ,according to her and what have we gathered,this supposedly-wish-granting artifact IS a "Unique crafty mystic trap" by the original founder of all the evilness from the Real Cobalt Keep before being banished with a sacrificice; hope to be helping your memory gears,Ran".
>"On track an' on guard: the spat and settlement with Ran the 2nd, Aya,the others,inklings and cover-ups,....Our priority is back in the Real Gensokyo...with some useful discovieries and breakthrough ,as longnot holding us back ... aaaand some Reporting!"
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>"See, that's because you're thinking of the fake one. The real one is just fine. I mean, you didn't even bat an eye when I mentioned I had someone here with me from it a minute ago, it wasn't until you started thinking about it and this place's lies started getting to you in that regard that you got worried."
>"A.. momentary lapse in memory."
>"Since when does your memory lapse?" Aya counters.
>"I am not infallible." Ran retorts, though she doesn't sound entirely convinced of herself.
>Wait for the comeback.After:"The name'd be Celes; loc is Gensokyo's pacified Cobalt Keep and is the most focused,experienced and reliable on these matters to the extent she is able to partly investigate on her own and is unable to be imitated".
>Recall,point to the direction of the Stewardess;"Might even catch her glimpse or passage with Tengu-Sight".
>Mind memo."I must keep in mind to relay this one to Momij!"
>Continue not losing a beat"Not to say we are goin' sidetrack but ,according to her and our researches,this wish-granting-for-entrapment mystic artifact of a book IS a crafty creation by the former founder of all the evilness spinning from the Real Cobalt Keep; hop' it rings bells".
>"On track an' on guard: the spat and settlement with Ran the 2nd,back-with-us usual Aya,the others,inklings,....All nine to settle back out of here while sort of ..."Reporting"
>"Celes..." Ran says the name like it means something to her. "Celes... I remember a... a woman who rode a dragon..."
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>"She rides all kinds of things, yeah. It's what she does."
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>"She rides all kinds of things, yeah. It's what she does."
>Ran massages the bridge of her nose, the universal sign of a threatening headache. "But that doesn't make sense. That woman can't be from the Cobalt Keep, that place is, is dark, it's been a blight upon Gensokyo since it came here. Nothing but problems, then and now."
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>"Like I said, she's from the real one. Not the fakey one here."
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>"Like I said, she's from the real one. Not the fakey one here."
>"I may be experiencing some mental lapses, but that location is not one of them, I assure you. If this Celes woman of yours claims to be from there, ask her about the trouble it's caused."
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>"Well they couldn't have caused any trouble recently, since they've been asleep for about a century or so? Only woke up last month. But yeah, the old ruler caused problems. He's gone now."
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>"Well they couldn't have caused any trouble recently, since they've been asleep for about a century or so? Only woke up last month. But yeah, the old ruler caused problems. He's gone now."
>"Last month is not recently?" she asks curoiusly.
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>"Eh, they get the Night of Rage as a freebie. It wasn't even really their fault. Besides, I thought you said you didn't remember that happening?"
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>"Eh, they get the Night of Rage as a freebie. It wasn't even really their fault. Besides, I thought you said you didn't remember that happening?"
>"I do not."
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>"Anyways, they're good folks. Nothing like whatever's happening with the fake one here."
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>"Anyways, they're good folks. Nothing like whatever's happening with the fake one here."
>"You haven't been near that one, have you?" Ran asks, concerned.
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>"Not yet, no. Why, in particular? Obviously its bad news."
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>"Not yet, no. Why, in particular? Obviously its bad news."
>"For your safety. You would never be able to go back to your world if you went there. And least, not whole, as you are now."
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>"Tell us what you know."
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>"Tell us what you know."
>Ran takes a moment to collect her thoughts. "Not a great deal is known for certain- Oh, wait. Since you know of two versions of the Keep, which one were you asking about?"
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>"The one here."
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>"The one here."
>Ran nods. "Truth to tell, no one really knows all that much about the Keep for certain. Even Yukari-sama won't talk about it, not even with me. It first appeared in Gensokyo around two centuries ago, at a time when there were a large number of powerful vampires fighting for territories here. The Keep's appearance ironically did some good in stopping that, actually, as three of the most violent vampires sent their minions there to investigate the place, believing a new player had arrived in their battles, and then went themselves when those people did not return. The vampires did not return, either. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, only two people have ever returned from that place. One was an Oni who went there seeking a challenge. He returned with his arms missing, his eyes missing, his horn broken off, and hopelessly insane. Not long after that, the then-current Hakurei Shrine Maiden went to the Keep. She actually made it back largely intact, but whatever she experienced there turned her hair from black to white. She refused to speak of what she saw with anyone. She ordered the place be considered off-limits to everyone, human and non-human alike, that the Keep should be left alone for the rest of time. The humans became afraid of anything that could scare the Hakurei that badly, and any Youkai who remained curious about the place respected the Hakurei's ban on it, for their own safety as that band was enforced by both teh Hakurei and Yukari-sama."
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>"And the other one?"
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>"And the other one?"
>"The other version of the Keep? That seems to be your area of expertise, not mine."
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>"Just sounded like I stirred a memory, earlier. So. You said you had some storied to tell about your double and you two not getting along when you first came?"
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>"l am having a hunch that we can make the scoop of us being free birds in the Real Gensokyo , maybe-maybe with a few valuable experiences from here depending on some details about the "Hopelessly mad oni" and most of all the" former Hakurei Maiden" ;better yet details putting together Yukari of that time and Dopple-Ran..."
>"A reporter guess
...Yukari kept dodging a delicate knowledge issue until the asking went on and Dopple,alias the Book,kept being miffed by an uncomfortable knowledge until the memory poof, Ran "
>" If it helps I could step out for a bit , still being near the place, to let you clearly collect memos while I eye things up "
>(-> To Purvis:I think a brief pause is a boon with Ran focusing and Hatate gainig new data after she comes back <-) Exit if Ran agrees stays if you help her inquiry,
>If outside look for signs of Celes and Momiji even by "Reading their winds".