Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: Hello Purvis on April 02, 2010, 04:05:20 AM
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(This is too good to kill, so we shall port it to the next gen system~)
>You are Ran Yakumo, Gensokyo's Premier Tail Authority!
>You are the Shikigami of Yukari Yakumo, bound to follow her desires. Thankfully, her habit of hibernating gives you generous vacation time. You have your own Shikigami, Chen Yakumo, that you regard as a daughter. You have some scholarly interests in regards to Gensokyo's history and various other fields of knowledge, often devoting great deals of time to studying and solving apparently minuscule problems. You are slightly infamous for your love of trains, which you blame on Yukari. You have impeccable manners, many have called you the ideal housekeeper. People will not leave your tails alone.
>It is a lovely day in early spring. Yukari is napping for the week in her room, and Chen is off playing somewhere. You have little to do at the moment.
>You are presently in the Yakumo Household. It is a decently sized house with one large room. Sheets hung from lines to the south of the house form separate "rooms" for sleeping, and a little privacy for the lavatory. To the north is the kitchen and the dining table. The middle of the house serves as an all purpose living room. A few sheets of wood in the rafters allows for a crude attic. The walls are adorned with your prized model train sets, on little shelves that run the circumference of the house. To the west is the door. Obvious exits are West
Mind-The-Gap on Today at 02:07:16 PM
> Consider personal blood supply. Has any recent nose-bleed-sparks rendered us anaemic?
> Check - is the SUPA-TENKO ability available?
> Consider trolling Yukari
> Consider trolling your biggest rival, Youmu.
>You presently have the correct amount of blood.
>You used to do that a lot. Then Yukari started doing it too, and now you're a bit embarrassed to do that sort of thing. Much.
>Yukari actually has a rather good sense of humor, at least with you, but she doesn't like to be bothered when she's asleep.
>You could do this, if you could think of a proper way to give her a hard time.
Quote from: Moerin~ on Today at 02:09:40 PM
>Consider non-obvious exits~
>You look around, and note the window to the north. You could climb through it!
Quote from: Mind-The-Gap on Today at 02:18:42 PM
> Consider any currently oustanding tasks, obligations, wants, needs, desires, cravings, etc.
>Your only outstanding task is to make dinner, which is not due for some hours yet.
>You have no obligations save those to Yukari
>You would like to have some more model trains for your collection, or an interesting new mystery to tear into. It's been a long time since you've had a proper cheeseburger, which are a rare delicacy in Gensokyo.
Quote from: Rikter Ballmont on Today at 02:28:46 PM
> Consider how long it would take to reach Kourindou from the Yakumo House.
>It's just a short walk to the west.
Quote from: Jana on Today at 02:33:32 PM
>Spend some time watching your toy trains.
>You decide to put the time to use by sending 20th Century Limit along its route from New York to Chicago, making stops at each of the appropriate stations. It fills you with an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
Quote from: Mind-The-Gap on Today at 02:33:40 PM
> Consider possible sources of cheese and burgers or a combination of both.
>Cheese shouldn't be too hard to find. There is a shop in human town that deals in dairy products. Hamburger, though...it's rare to find any kind of beef in Gensokyo.
Quote from: Rikter Ballmont on Today at 02:40:27 PM
>Kourindou would be a good place to find a new Model Train and you should make a note to head there soon.
>Likely so! Rinnosuke has a way of finding things such as this. You make a note to check in.
Quote from: Zengar Zombolt on Today at 02:41:53 PM
>Develop a faster moving method. Like, using your tails as a propeller.
>You do not know if it would be faster, but it would certainly hurt!
Quote from: rdj522 on Today at 02:49:36 PM
> Recall everyone who's visited today.
>You have had no guests today, nor anticipate any.
Quote from: rdj522 on Today at 02:53:53 PM
So this isn't connected to either Patchy Quest or Reisen Quest. Just had to make sure.
> Inventory
>This is a side story. It is unconnected, but uses the same general world. Depending on circumstances, some of its events may be integrated into continuity. For now, consider it happening before the events of Patchy Quest.
>Your Inventory Contains
>Fox-ear Bonnet (Worn as Hat)
>Long-sleeved robe: (Worn as clothes)
Quote from: E-mouse on Today at 05:30:06 PM
>skills
>history of sexual exploits
>Add quest/personal goal: Find Chen and hug the shit out of her
>Your skills are:
>Premier Housemaking
>You can keep a home like no other.
>Mathematitastic
>Your skills at math are top notch
>Black Magicmatics
>You are very knowledgeable about black magic.
>Trainspotting.
>You know your trains at a glance
>History
>Your talks with Yukari and personal research give you a good idea of Gensokyo's history.
>Tennis
>You favorite sport!
>A lady would never tell such a history.
>You add a Personal Goal: Find Chen, Give Hugs.
Quote from: E-mouse on Today at 05:55:35 PM
>solve P=NP
>You've had a go at that one every so often. The only answer you've ever gotten was P=0, which is hardly the question being asked.
Quote from: E-mouse on Today at 06:48:53 PM
>secure train sets if it's the usual routine when heading out
>head out to browse Korindou
>You make sure your trains are put away properly.
>You head west, and, continue further west to Kourindou.
>You come to the crossroad where Kourindou lays. It is a simply-looking house that's been converted to a shop. Were it not for the sign proclaiming its name above the door, and a hand-lettered sign saying that the store was open, you'd never suspect it was anything other than a home. A road stretches from sorth to nouth, leading to the Forest of Magic and human town respectively. Another road continues west, leading to your home and eventually Youkai Mountain.
Quote from: ES_Anthony on Today at 06:49:14 PM
>but couldn't you get the same answer if N=1 and P=any number?
>That's even further away from the spirit of the question.
Quote from: E-mouse on Today at 06:59:29 PM
>contemplate seducing random fairy
>knock softly and enter
>They're a little on the small side, but some of them are kinda cute. You don't know if Yukari would allow for that sort of thing.
>You knock politely on the door, then enter.
>You enter Kourindou! Shelves of random goodies line the walls, while a few stands in the center of the floor showcase a few larger goods. Rinnosuke sits behind a counter, his back turned to the door as he reads something. "Hello, Ran," he says, giving a lazy backwards wave.
>The Store contains:
>Nightlife (Extended)
>Large Bag of Beans
>Bar of Baker's Chocolate
>Bottle of Wine
>Green Yo-Yo
>Big Knife
>Large Pillow
>Deck of Cards
>Bonsai Tree
>Book of Swords
>3 Caramels
>Vial of Sand Grains
>Large Ball of Yarn
>Stethoscope
>Bottle of Ethanol
>Scroll of Elemental Protection
>Electric Train Set
>Ultimate Truth
>Jar of Fluff
>M.U.L.E.
>Set of Plate Mail Armor (Female)
Quote from: E-mouse on Today at 07:28:07 PM
>examine ball of yarn, plate mail armor, book of swords, scroll of elemental protection, jar of fluff, and vial of sand grains
>estimate how many livers it will take to acquire train set
Quote from: Furienify on Today at 07:32:16 PM
>Examine large bag of beans
>Large Ball of Yarn
>Exactly what it sounds like. It is white in color.
>Set of Plate Mail Armor (Female)
>A set of heavy armor designed for a woman.
>Book of Swords
>A book containing esoteric passes and techniques for a swordsman.
>Scroll of Elemental Protection
>Reading this will protect you from the elements for a length of time, you suspect about half an hour.
>Vial of Sand Grains
>This tiny vial contains eleven grains of sand.
>Jar of Fluff
>This is a glass jar filled with cottony fluff.
>Large Bag of Beans
>This is a two-pound bag of kidney beans, enough to feed quite a few people.
>You suspect Rinnosuke would want something good for such a rare item.
Quote from: Vic Viper on Today at 07:36:00 PM
> Examine train set
> Contemplate how we manage to get our clothes over our tails
> Are our tails currently up or down?
>Electric Train Set.
>This contains a scale replica of the Minnepolis Charger, and its usual payload.
>It takes a little time to slip them through properly.
>They are currently up, in a fan-like pattern.
Quote from: E-mouse on Today at 07:37:03 PM
>Are our tails properly groomed? That's gotta take freakin' hours.
>It takes some time and some assistance to groom them well, but they are presentable at the moment.
Quote from rdj522
> "Hello, Rinnosuke. I'm very interested in that train set, but I don't have anything to barter with. Is there anything in particular you're looking for that I might be able to find?"
>He puts down the book and turns around, regarding you with a slight grin. "Well. There is something you can do. How do you feel about collections?"
Quote from: rdj522 on Today at 08:33:30 PM
> "Collections? As in seashell collections and the like? I think maintaining such a thing is a good hobby to have."
>He grins. "No. I mean in the sense of collecting debts."
Quote from: E-mouse on Today at 08:37:43 PM
>frown
>"... I'll consider it. Who, and why?"
>You frown, not liking the sound of this.
>"Sanae. And because she is late in her payment."
Quote from: E-mouse on Today at 08:42:50 PM
>"May I ask about the nature of her debts?"
>"She has obtained several items from me with the promise of a set of Red Lily Pads. It has been quite some time, and I've run out of patience. As such, I want you to collect either the Red Lily Pads, or the items she obtained from me. I do not care which or how you do it, only that it be done by today. Is that acceptable?"
Quote from: axman36 on Today at 08:54:28 PM
>Estimate distance from Rinnosuke's to the shrine in the mountain.
>It's not a far walk to the base of the mountain. It'll take you a little time to get up to the Moriya Shrine.
Quote from: E-mouse on Today at 09:00:50 PM
>Any other reason to visit that area? Wouldn't hurt to sightsee a bit. Might be something interesting going on up the mountain. Or would Sanae have interesting stories/mysteries from the outer world to share?
>"I'll try and at least... remind her if I see her."
>I like trains.
>Well, there is kappa town, who knows what trouble Nitori may be getting into. Aya might have discovered some curious thing as well. You've never had the time to really ask Sanae about the outside world.
>"Should I receive payment, I'll be sure to ask her about it."
>You sure do.
Quote from: axman36 on Today at 09:14:36 PM
>Say your farewells to Rinnosuke.
>Start heading off to the Moriya Shrine.
>You bid Rinnosuke farewell, and leave Kourindou.
>You start walking east, toward Youkai mountain. As you do, you pass by your house and notice the door is hanging open. Curious.
Quote from: Vic Viper on Today at 09:24:49 PM
> Investigate possibility of CHEN!
>You go investigate the open door, curious to see if Chen has been neglectful.
>Looking inside, you do not see any sign of Chen. But, the curtain to Yukari's room has been disturbed.
Quote from: Vic Viper on April 01, 2010, 09:34:22 PM
> See if Yukari has been disturbed
>You check on Yukari, and find she is not there. Very strange; she never wakes up early.
Quote from: Rikter Ballmont on April 01, 2010, 09:34:57 PM
>If she has been fire Tenko lasers at said disturber.
Quote from: E-mouse on April 01, 2010, 09:44:00 PM
>unless it's Chen
>You see no one about.
Quote from: E-mouse on April 01, 2010, 10:24:19 PM
>Yukari Yakumo's Spiriting Away: Now in reverse!
>fox scent tracking to see if there are any atypical, fresh peoplesmells in the house
>make sure the trains are okay
>Your sense of smell isn't that good anymore, but it's still fairly sharp. You don't think you can sense any odors of people, other than yourself, Yukari, and some old traces of Chen.
>The trains are untouched.
Quote from Furienify
>Can we sense where Yukari ran off to with our Shikigami magics/bond?
>You cannot. Yukari specifically disables that when she's trying to sleep; she says your puttering around keeps her up.
>_
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> Ponder the chances that someone entered the building and kidnapped/masternapped/whatever Yukari. Is their anything odd or off from the norm in her room, aside from the lack of Yukari being in it?
> Ponder the odds that Yukari is sleep-walking.
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> Ponder the chances that someone entered the building and kidnapped/masternapped/whatever Yukari. Is their anything odd or off from the norm in her room, aside from the lack of Yukari being in it?
> Ponder the odds that Yukari is sleep-walking.
>You don't see any signs of forced entry or the like.
>Oh god, that would be terrible.
>_
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> Are there any footprints?
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> Ooh, a new quest. This could be interesting.
> Examine Yukari's bed and its state of being-slept-in-ness.
> Where does Yukari usually keep her clothes? Are they still there?
> Check rest of house, is everything where it used to be?
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> Are there any footprints?
>There are no footprints in the house. But hardwood floors aren't conducive to making footprints.
> Ooh, a new quest. This could be interesting.
> Examine Yukari's bed and its state of being-slept-in-ness.
> Where does Yukari usually keep her clothes? Are they still there?
> Check rest of house, is everything where it used to be?
>I should hope so!
>Yukari's bed is very slept in, it doesn't seem to have been disturbed in any way that looks unnatural to you. It seems she's got up normally.
>Yukari has a wardrobe in the room, but she also keeps a lot of her clothes and other things in a gap. Checking the wardrobe, you see all of her clothes are in place. As well, her laundry hamper seems to still have her old clothes in it. Unfortunately, none of this would normally stop Yukari from going on her own way when the weather is nice. It would be easy to conclude she just left for somewhere, but she's supposed to be asleep for the week.
>The rest of the house seems to have not been tampered with.
>_
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> Start with the trackin'! See how far we can track Yukari's scent before we lose it.
> Confirm our calendar. Make sure that Yukari was indeed supposed to be currently asleep.
> Check precedence. Have there been similar events in the past? If so, what were their causes?
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>Is there any reason Yukari might have wanted to get up to check on something this week? Any kind of event or incident?
Also, congratulations on Godmother status~
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> Start with the trackin'! See how far we can track Yukari's scent before we lose it.
> Confirm our calendar. Make sure that Yukari was indeed supposed to be currently asleep.
> Check precedence. Have there been similar events in the past? If so, what were their causes?
>You follow Yukari's scent out the door. It grows a little harder to follow her scent outside, with the wind blowing. But thankfully, you can see some dull impressions of footprints in the grass that give you an excellent idea of where she's at. It seems she has gone northward, toward human town.
>It's not so much a calender event as your understand of Yukari's lifestyle. She told you that she was going to turn in for a little while this morning, which always means she is going to be out for a week.
>You don't recall any instances of her walking off when she was supposed to be asleep.
>Is there any reason Yukari might have wanted to get up to check on something this week? Any kind of event or incident?
Also, congratulations on Godmother status~
(Actually I've been a godmother the whole time, just that Special Member overrode it.)
>You don't know about anything like that. Things have been pretty peaceful since the nuclear scare.
>_
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> Head for the human village.
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> Head for the human village.
>You head north, following Yukari's footprints.
>You come to the large, grassy field between your home and human town. The tall grasses make it simple to follow Yukari's path. Then you notice something unusual; there is a huge shadow on the ground ahead, moving roughly toward the south and your general direction. You don't see anything on the ground that could be casting such a shadow.
>_
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> If it's not on the ground, that means it must be airborne.
> Look up.
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> If it's not on the ground, that means it must be airborne.
> Look up.
>You look up, and what the hell is that!?
>There is...some sort of ship flying in the air! Where in the world did that come from!? Gensokyo barely has anything in the way of boats, let alone ships, let alone ships that fly! You stare in amazement at the greenish vessel as it flies overhead and toward the south at a pretty good clip.
>_
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> Chase it from the ground.
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> Chase it from the ground.
>You try to chase it on foot.
>Within the space of three seconds, you realize that this isn't going to work.
>_
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>Ponder possibility of RAN ROLLING the ship to the ground. Not that we should be so violent, of course.
>This could be an incident, mayhaps we should contact the shrine maiden?
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>Ponder possibility of RAN ROLLING the ship to the ground. Not that we should be so violent, of course.
>This could be an incident, mayhaps we should contact the shrine maiden?
>You're not certain if structural damage would "sink" it or not.
>That might not be a bad idea.
>_
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>Lets not dawdle and go find Reimu then!
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>Lets not dawdle and go find Reimu then!
>You head northeast toward the Hakurei Shrine. Curiously enough, so do the footprints that Yukari left.
>You arrive at the Hakurei Shrine. Passing through its torii, you find the small, homey little shrine is unchanged from how it always is. A pond lays behind the shrine, rippling placidly in the breeze. A little woods surrounds the shrine grounds, giving an isolated feel. Suika sits on the front porch, loafing about and drinking generously from her gourd. She nods to you as you enter. Obvious exits are East 1, East 2, and West
>_
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> Ask Suika where Reimu is.
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>Keep Tenko lasers at the ready you might need them soon..
>Also ask Suika if she's seen Sanae.
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> Ask Suika where Reimu is.
>"Oh hey, I was figuring you'd show up," says Suika. "Reimu's off chasing down that flying boat or something like that."
>Keep Tenko lasers at the ready you might need them soon..
>Also ask Suika if she's seen Sanae.
>You really never did trust her completely...
>"Not today, no."
>_
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>Ask her if she has seen Yukari at all.
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>Consider chasing Reimu down, I mean, this ship could be why Yukari is missing.
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>Ask her if she has seen Yukari at all.
>"Sure have," says Suika. "I was just about to ask if you knew your girl was out sleepwalkin' and mumblin' to herself."
>Consider chasing Reimu down, I mean, this ship could be why Yukari is missing.
>That'd be pretty weird, in light of new information.
>_
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>Become alerted! Try to remember if Yukari has ever done this before.
>"Any idea where she went?"
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>Become alerted! Try to remember if Yukari has ever done this before.
>"Any idea where she went?"
>You don't recall her doing this before.
>"Yeah. She stopped here for tea, then wandered off toward the village. She thought I was Reimu. Kept calling me buttercup."
>_
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> "Say, Suika, ever wondered what it would be like to wrestle down a sleepwalking Yukari? Just asking, of course."
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> "Say, Suika, ever wondered what it would be like to wrestle down a sleepwalking Yukari? Just asking, of course."
>"It's right dangerous to wake up a sleepwaker," says Suika, "Everyone knows that."
>_
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>Besides, it is our job to prevent anything from waking up Yukari.
>Our model trains will have to wait, to the village!
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>Remember that Suika said she "figured" you would show up.
>Why would she think that?
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> "I predict there will be... shenanigans. Suika, could you warn people? Things could get messy."
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>Besides, it is our job to prevent anything from waking up Yukari.
>Our model trains will have to wait, to the village!
>It would be bring you no end of shame if she were hurt during this.
>You head west, down the road and toward the human village.
>The human village is bustling at the moment, with more people on the streets than usual for this time of day. You can hear them talking about a flying treasure ship, and get a fair idea of why there is so much activity. The town itself is build along two roads, an eastern one running toward the Hakurei Shrine, and another running from north to south. You can see Keine's school on the northeastern corner of the intersection. To the west of the intersection is a tavern. An alleyway opens across from the school, which you know to be a popular place for children to play. Obvious exits are North, North 2, South, South 2, East and West
>Remember that Suika said she "figured" you would show up.
>Why would she think that?
>You imagine she expected you to come chasing after Yukari.
> "I predict there will be... shenanigans. Suika, could you warn people? Things could get messy."
>Suika is not in human town!
>_
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>Suika is not in human town!
>_
> =[
> I'll get you yet, parser. You watch yourself.
> Ask around if anyone's seen Yukari, by her description if they don't know who she is. Do not mention sleepwalking.
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> =[
> I'll get you yet, parser. You watch yourself.
> Ask around if anyone's seen Yukari, by her description if they don't know who she is. Do not mention sleepwalking.
> =I
>You don't wanna tangle, ese
>You ask around if anyone has seen Yukari. You figure describing her was a long-haired blonde Yukari not wearing anything should do the trick.
>"Oh, hello Ran!" says one of the people, a candle maker you buy from, "Oh, you're looking for Yukari? She went to the tavern."
>_
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> Rush to the tavern.
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>Pre emptively prepare to beat a little shit of a celestial into paste.
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>Pre emptively prepare to beat a little shit of a celestial into paste.
>Oh god she's such a pain in the ass when she gets going!
> Rush to the tavern.
>You rush into the tavern. It is fairly busy at the moment; a few people recognize you and say hello. You see Iku is standing behind the bar, she nods to you. Obvious exits are West and East.
>_
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> No Tenshi? Odd...
> Say hello to the people who greeted you
> "Hello, Iku. I was told Lady Yukari just came through here; where is she?"
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>If Tenshi did something you swear to god...
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> No Tenshi? Odd...
> Say hello to the people who greeted you
> "Hello, Iku. I was told Lady Yukari just came through here; where is she?"
>Indeed. Her watching over the bar does a good job of keeping her out of trouble.
>You return the greetings you get. It's nice to be welcomed, not many youkai get that.
>"She was," says Iku, frowning a little. "She was sleepwalking. Came in and asked about Marisa, and kept calling me Shotglass. She also ordered a shot of whiskey. I hope you don't mind that I gave her an empty glass, but I didn't want her to drown. She paid me with money she was probably dreaming about, anyways. Then she leaned backwards, tipped her stool over, and fell back into one of those portal thingies she makes."
>If Tenshi did something you swear to god...
>If Reimu's busy, there's really no one to rope Tenshi in. You really hope she's behaving herself.
>_
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>How ready are the Tenko lasers percentage wise?
>What spellcards do you have with you?
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> Crap.
> "Thanks Iku. Sorry about that..."
> Head for the Forest of Magic.
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>How ready are the Tenko lasers percentage wise?
>What spellcards do you have with you?
>0%. You stopped readying them after leaving the Hakurei Shrine.
>You do not have any spellcards with you.
> Crap.
> "Thanks Iku. Sorry about that..."
> Head for the Forest of Magic.
>Yeah, this going to be hard.
>"Don't be sorry. If anyone knows about having someone rowdy in their charge..."
>You leave the tavern and head south toward the Forest of Magic, passing by Kourindou.
>You are at the Northern entrance to the Forest of Magic. The trees and foliage form a dense and difficult to penetrate wall alongside the road. Numerous birds and insects can be heard singing within, as well as the voice of the occasional unseen faerie. In the boughs overhead, you can see a sphere of darkness bouncing between a few tree trunks, with a surprised "Ow!" each time.
>_
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> Head through the forest to Marisa's house.
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> It's a distraction, ignore the little blind twerp.
> Actually, might as well check.
> "Hey, you, have you seen Yukari around recently?"
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> It's a distraction, ignore the little blind twerp.
> Actually, might as well check.
> "Hey, you, have you seen Yukari around recently?"
>You really can't see Rumia being very helpful in finding Yukari. But you ask anyways.
>"Nop-Ow!"
>_
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>How fast can you charge the Tenko laser to 100%? Knowing your limitations is half the battle.
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>mental note: grab some spellcards the next time we pass by the house, in case things get rough
>thank Rumia anyway and head on towards Marisa
>brace self for abs of diamond
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>mental note: grab some spellcards the next time we pass by the house, in case things get rough
>thank Rumia anyway and head on towards Marisa
>brace self for abs of diamond
>It might be a good idea to have them onhand, given there may be an Incident hereabouts.
>"You're welcome, Miss-Ow!" says Rumia.
>You make your way toward Marisa's House, following the road south, and around as it makes an S-Curve until you reach an intersection, then go west. It's difficult to see Marisa's cottage through the foliage, but you have a good idea where it is. At the appropriate place, you take a right and head South into Marisa's front yard.
>You see the yard is littered with exercise equipment of all kinds. A simple, L-shaped white cottage stands among the greenery, with a few vines here and there creeping up its walls. You see that Wriggle is doing something with one of the windows, you aren't sure what. She hasn't noticed you yet.
>_
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>Curious.
>Observe the bug while in the open, see if she either reveals what she's up to or notices Ran first. This is somewhat suspicious, but best make sure.
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>Curious.
>Observe the bug while in the open, see if she either reveals what she's up to or notices Ran first. This is somewhat suspicious, but best make sure.
>Wriggle fiddles around for a few seconds more. Then she starts, shouts, "Drek!" and turns around.
>"Cut that out!" she says.
>_
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>"Cut out what, exactly? I didn't want to interrupt."
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>"Cut out what, exactly? I didn't want to interrupt."
>"Stealthing on me like that! Nearly flatlined me, you know!"
>_
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>smile
>"My apologies, then. May I ask what you're visiting Marisa for?"
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>smile
>"My apologies, then. May I ask what you're visiting Marisa for?"
>"Yeah, yeah." she says in response to your apology. "I was getting a readout on this window. Making sure it's up to UMS and all."
>_
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>"... UMS?"
-
>"... UMS?"
>Wriggle shakes her head. "Standards, gonk, standards."
>_
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>"Ah, alright then."
>"I don't suppose you've seen Yukari here, in the meantime? I heard she may have stopped by."
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>"Ah, alright then."
>"I don't suppose you've seen Yukari here, in the meantime? I heard she may have stopped by."
>"Yeah," says Wriggle. "She popped in a little while go. Looked 'dorphed up as hell. Knocked on the door, muttered something, gave Muscles a big ole hug, then popped out somewhere."
>_
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>Damnit.
>"I assume you didn't overhear anything about where she was planning to go?"
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>Damnit.
>"I assume you didn't overhear anything about where she was planning to go?"
"Uh, Muscles wasn't taking her imput at first," says Wriggle. "So I lurked a bit closer, and heard her say something about beating the Mountain to it. Dunno what that meant. Only thing I grokked about what they were saying."
>_
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> Probably headed for Youkai Mountain eh?
> "Thanks Wriggle."
> Head for the mountain.
-
>wait, no, we don't know whether she meant she was going to the mountain or was going to do something elsewhere before the guys in the mountain get to it.
>Unless Marisa would be upset at your visit, at least.
>Try talking to Marisa before heading out, if she wouldn't mind.
-
>
Steel Ready self for ABS
-
>wait, no, we don't know whether she meant she was going to the mountain or was going to do something elsewhere before the guys in the mountain get to it.
>Unless Marisa would be upset at your visit, at least.
>Try talking to Marisa before heading out, if she wouldn't mind.
>Steel Ready self for ABS
>You go to knock on Marisa's door. "Muscles buzzed out," says Wriggle. "Yukari must have said the right words."
> Probably headed for Youkai Mountain eh?
> "Thanks Wriggle."
> Head for the mountain.
>You thank Wriggle. "No prob," says Wriggle. "Let's keep the window scan between us, eh?"
>You start to head toward Youkai Mountain, retracing your steps out.
>As you reach the intersection in the forest, you notice something in the sky. Looking to the south, you can see that strange flying ship approaching again.
>_
-
>Rather than follow on the ground, let's fly after it this time.
>Use tails to propel self as necessary.
-
>Rather than follow on the ground, let's fly after it this time.
>Use tails to propel self as necessary.
>You take to the air.
>The flying ship's speed isn't too much an issue at the moment, as it is flying toward you.
>Getting a closer look, the ship doesn't look so much like a ship as it does a building. Curious. There's also a thick cloud of faeries around it; easily a few dozen. You think that you should be able to intercept it, but those faeries look pretty antsy from the way they're whizzing about.
>_
-
>Might not be a good idea to try and tangle with those fairies without at least a few spellcards... but maybe we can talk some information out of them?
>How difficult is it to simply flee a mass fairy attack if it came to that? Or permissible, given spellcard rules?
>If it'd be reasonably safe, try to fly alongside the edge of the fairy cloud and ask them what's going on.
-
>Might not be a good idea to try and tangle with those fairies without at least a few spellcards... but maybe we can talk some information out of them?
>How difficult is it to simply flee a mass fairy attack if it came to that? Or permissible, given spellcard rules?
>If it'd be reasonably safe, try to fly alongside the edge of the fairy cloud and ask them what's going on.
>You consider whether you should tangle with the faeries. It shouldn't be too difficult; truly skilled faeries are rare. In combat, most of them are pretty reckless. Just your standard danmaku ought to get you through them with a little care and precision if worse comes to worst.
>You could run away. It would count as a loss, but you could run. It comes down to how tenacious they are.
>You fly around the faerie cloud, and a red-haired faerie what is happening. "It is the revolution!" she cries, grinning broadly at you.
>_
-
>Again?
>"Revolution? What are you seeking?"
-
>Again?
>"Revolution? What are you seeking?"
>Looks like it. It's a good indicator there's an incident.
>"Equality! Freedom! Faeries over all! You down, sister?!"
>_
-
> "That depends, I'm trying to find someone. Yukari Yakumo, *insert general appearence of Yukari here*, have you seen her? I could almost certainly lend you a hand, but right now I need to find Yukari."
> Does one need a spell card to use Danmaku? Or is basic Danmaku usage unaffect by lack of a Spell Card?
-
> "That depends, I'm trying to find someone. Yukari Yakumo, *insert general appearence of Yukari here*, have you seen her? I could almost certainly lend you a hand, but right now I need to find Yukari."
> Does one need a spell card to use Danmaku? Or is basic Danmaku usage unaffect by lack of a Spell Card?
>"Not seen anyone like that!" says the Faeries. "Wait a minute...are you one of the oppressors?"
>You can use basics without the cards. Just that you wear yourself out faster without them, and generally can't do as much complex stuff on the fly.
-
>"I hope not. Who would be oppressing a cute fairy (http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/6563/namelessthumbsup2.jpg) like you?"
>Let's see what they know about the ship... unlikely they have any idea who Yukari is, let alone where she went.
-
>"I hope not. Who would be oppressing a cute fairy (http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/6563/namelessthumbsup2.jpg) like you?"
>Let's see what they know about the ship... unlikely they have any idea who Yukari is, let alone where she went.
>She grins and pats you on the head. You feel insultingly patronized now; not even Yukari does that in public! "You'll be given an honored place when the old order is burned to the ground!"
>That's not a bad idea. You should try it!
>_
-
>"Tell me, sister, do we intend to use this flying contraption to bring ruin to the old order? If so, how will we accomplish this? We must be sure that we make the resistance as minimal as possible."
-
>"Tell me, sister, do we intend to use this flying contraption to bring ruin to the old order? If so, how will we accomplish this? We must be sure that we make the resistance as minimal as possible."
>"You'll have to ask boss or other boss," says the faerie. "They're the ones with the big plans. I'm just in it for the liberty and stealing some cakes."
>_
-
> "Cake is truly awesome, isn't it sister? Pending on what type of cake, maybe you could grab some for me?"
-
>"Who are Boss and Other Boss, so I know who to pay my respects to for this new order?"
-
> "Cake is truly awesome, isn't it sister? Pending on what type of cake, maybe you could grab some for me?"
>"That's what I'm talking about!" says the faerie. "I'm in it for all kinds, no need to be picky."
>"Who are Boss and Other Boss, so I know who to pay my respects to for this new order?"
>"Rin's the boss," the faerie says. "She's keeping an eye on things around back," says the faerie. "Otherboss is...uh...Ladles. She's inside."
>_
-
> "I see... Would it be okay to look around on the floating thing?"
> If affirmative, head for the ship.
-
> "I see... Would it be okay to look around on the floating thing?"
> If affirmative, head for the ship.
>"If Boss doesn't mind. You can ask her."
>_
-
> Head for "the Boss" if the directions earlier were easy enough to figure out.
-
> Head for "the Boss" if the directions earlier were easy enough to figure out.
>It's not hard to get to the back of the ship, despite the dozens of faeries flying about.
>Standing at the rear of the ship, you see a woman in white and blue dress, wearing a blue hood. She doesn't seem to have noticed you yet.
>"Invader!" cries a faerie above you.
>"For the motherland!" shouts another.
>Several nearby faeries start to rush you, letting loose streams of danmaku.
>_
-
> Blow 'em away with danmaku.
-
>try not to incite too many others of them, though. It looks like this is all we're gonna get without fighting through more fairies than is probably safe without any spellcards.
-
> Blow 'em away with danmaku.
You prepare to unleash a counterattack, but
>try not to incite too many others of them, though. It looks like this is all we're gonna get without fighting through more fairies than is probably safe without any spellcards.
>You can't imagine any of the faeries would take it very well if you started attacking. They tend to have a powerful pack mentality regarding that.
>_
-
>back off a little
>"Hey, hey! I'm not here to fight you, noble fairies!"
-
>back off a little
>"Hey, hey! I'm not here to fight you, noble fairies!"
>"Crush the oppressor!" cry several faeries as they fire upon you. You back away, but it is not going to be enough very shortly.
>You note the hooded woman is approaching.
>_
-
>Try to maneuver closer to the hooded woman.
-
>don't get shot.
>If these two are mutually exclusive, focus on the not getting shot part.
>"And what makes you think I'm an oppressor enough to attack me without even asking me to leave first?!"
>have danmakuz ready, especially if it can be done without alarming the fairies further
-
>Try to maneuver closer to the hooded woman.
>You dash forward, ducking under the shots the faeries send flying at you, and try to approach the hooded woman.
>More faeries that to fly at you, and you are uncomfortably aware that some of them are behind you. You can hear more danmaku flying; some of it coming at you and some of it just thrown into the air to make things cluttered.
>don't get shot.
>If these two are mutually exclusive, focus on the not getting shot part.
>"And what makes you think I'm an oppressor enough to attack me without even asking me to leave first?!"
>have danmakuz ready, especially if it can be done without alarming the fairies further
>You dodge as well as you can, hearing shots slamming into the deck behind you.
>You don't think the faeries are listening anymore, but the hooded woman shouts, "Who are you!? Are you trying to stop us?!"
>_
-
> "Have you seen a blonde-haired women anywhere?"
-
>"I'm not trying to stop you! Call off the attack faeries! Notice that I haven't fired yet! I come in peace!"
-
>"I'm not trying to stop you! Call off the attack faeries! Notice that I haven't fired yet! I come in peace!"
>The hooded woman produces a ring from her belt and taps it on the deck. A loud roar echoes through air, as the sky seems to turn pink. The faeries cry out and scatter as a huge creature made of cloud forms around the hooded woman. Curious, it's been ages since you've seen a nyuudou.
> "Have you seen a blonde-haired women anywhere?"
>"Huh?" the woman asks, as the nyuudou regards you with hard eyes.
>_
-
> "I said, have you seen a woman with blonde hair!"
-
> "I said, have you seen a woman with blonde hair!"
>"I think I saw one flying around on a broom a little while ago," says the hooded woman. She frowns, then asks, "Are you here to help us return Hijiri to the world?"
>_
-
> Frown.
> "She isn't the one I was looking for..."
-
> Frown.
> "She isn't the one I was looking for..."
>She shrugs, and looks at you expectantly.
>_
-
>"I'm afraid that I do not know who Hijiri is. I came here searching for my master, as she's gone missing..."
>Provide a more thorough description of Yukari than "blonde-haired woman"
-
>"I'm afraid that I do not know who Hijiri is. I came here searching for my master, as she's gone missing..."
>Provide a more thorough description of Yukari than "blonde-haired woman"
>"She is a friend of humans and youkai," the hooded woman explains, "who was sealed away by the ignorant and fearful long ago. We now have the potential to break that seal, and let her back into the world! Won't you join us and help us end the useless strife between our people and the humans?"
>You give a more thorough description of Yukari. "I've not seen anyone like that," says the hooded woman. She quirks an eyebrow. "There are really people who run around with no clothes like that? I'm not sure if Murasa, our vessel's captain, would know either."
>_
-
> "Hah... My Master is a handful sometimes... Thanks anyway."
-
> "Best of luck with Hijiri, but I'm not here to aid you. If I don't find my master, I'm afraid... shenanigans... will occur. That said, where did the one on the broom head off to?"
-
> "Hah... My Master is a handful sometimes... Thanks anyway."
>The hooded woman nods understandingly.
> "Best of luck with Hijiri, but I'm not here to aid you. If I don't find my master, I'm afraid... shenanigans... will occur. That said, where did the one on the broom head off to?"
>She frowns. "Are you certain? Hijiri is a great magician as well, she might be able to help you find your master. As for the person with the broom, she was trying to chase us, but Murasa managed to throw her off the trail."
>_
-
>Pause for a moment
>"How long would you expect it to take, that you would make such an argument? Your cause does sound like something I wish to aid, but first and foremost, I am responsible to my master, which means finding her as soon as possible, to prevent her from getting into trouble, as I am unsure how capable she is of avoiding it in her current state..."
-
(Edit is not quote~)
>Pause for a moment
>"How long would you expect it to take, that you would make such an argument? Your cause does sound like something I wish to aid, but first and foremost, I am responsible to my master, which means finding her as soon as possible, to prevent her from getting into trouble, as I am unsure how capable she is of avoiding it in her current state..."
>The hooded woman purses her lips. "II was going to ask you to help search for a couple of the artifacts we need. Nazrin, that's our douser, and Shou, our guardian, have been having a really hard time with them and we really haven't been able to give her much help. So I guess it might be a problem..."
>_
-
>"I see. Well, if you can describe these artifacts to me, then perhaps I could keep an eye out for them at least? It might not be as useful as devoting all my efforts to it, but I believe that I could be at least that much help."
-
>"I see. Well, if you can describe these artifacts to me, then perhaps I could keep an eye out for them at least? It might not be as useful as devoting all my efforts to it, but I believe that I could be at least that much help."
>"The one we really need is the flying ark, which got broken into pieces. Unfortunately, something weird happened to it, and they got turned into little flying toys. There's also the Jeweled Pagoda, which Shou needs.
>You hear the distinctive hissing noise of a gap behind you.
>_
-
>"?!"
>Turn toward where you hear the gap
-
>"?!"
>Turn toward where you hear the gap
>You make a surprised vocalizatio and turn around.
>You see Yukari, some yards from you, walking unsteadily as her hair blows about in the breeze. Her eyes are closed and she seems to be muttering to herself if the way her lips are moving give you any indication.
>_
-
>Approach Yukari, but don't actually touch her/let her walk into us, unless she tries to do something directly to us or something like that.
>Try to hear what she's mumbling.
-
>Approach Yukari, but don't actually touch her/let her walk into us, unless she tries to do something directly to us or something like that.
>Try to hear what she's mumbling.
>You get closer to Yukari, taking care not to touch her.
>"S'cold up here," she mutters. "Put some coal on..."
>_
-
> Is talking to someone who is sleep walking ok, if we are gentle and quiet?
> If so, then tell Yukari "I will, but please, come with me for a moment mi'lady."
> If it is NOT Safe/Good/Ok to talk to her, then gently take her hand or arm and lead her back to the manor.
-
> "Ah... Sorry about that. My Master is a peculiar sleepwalker sometimes..."
-
> Is talking to someone who is sleep walking ok, if we are gentle and quiet?
> If so, then tell Yukari "I will, but please, come with me for a moment mi'lady."
> If it is NOT Safe/Good/Ok to talk to her, then gently take her hand or arm and lead her back to the manor.
>Talking shouldn't be alright, as long as you don't startle her while she's standing or moving about. You think.
>"S'good'a'ya, Ran," she mutters.
> "Ah... Sorry about that. My Master is a peculiar sleepwalker sometimes..."
>The hooded woman nods, clearly unsure of what to do, while the nyuudou just watches with eyebrows raised in obvious amazement. Then shoots a glare at a few faeries coming over to investigate.
>_
-
> Try to lead Yukari back to the house.
> If this works, bid the hooded woman farewell.
-
> Try to lead Yukari back to the house.
> If this works, bid the hooded woman farewell.
>You reach out to take Yukari's hand. "T'cold," she mutters as you do. A gap opens up before her, and she falls through.
>_
-
>"Sorry, Rin!"
>follow Yukari, if possible!
-
>"Sorry, Rin!"
>follow Yukari, if possible!
>You would, but the gap closed behind her.
>"Did she go below decks?" asks the hooded woman.
>_
-
>"I have no idea. Those gaps can go anywhere, and she's acting a bit odd. Well... odder than usual."
>Think: Yukari wanted to warm up. She mentioned something about "put the coal on." Where would she go?
-
>"I have no idea. Those gaps can go anywhere, and she's acting a bit odd. Well... odder than usual."
>Think: Yukari wanted to warm up. She mentioned something about "put the coal on." Where would she go?
>You imagine Yukari wanted you to put another coal in the brazier she uses to heat her sleeping area.
>You can think of a few places that would be warm. There was that geyser opened up recently. Or possibly she just went back to her warm bed. It's hard to tell.
>_
-
> Whats the closest "warm" area to our current location? Check that one. If it leads near the Yakumo household, stop in and see if Yukari is their.
OOC: Is Yukari actually naked, or just in pajamas/whatever clothing she would sleep in? I'm trying to picture Yukari wearing Yuka's pagamas...
-
> Whats the closest "warm" area to our current location? Check that one. If it leads near the Yakumo household, stop in and see if Yukari is their.
OOC: Is Yukari actually naked, or just in pajamas/whatever clothing she would sleep in? I'm trying to picture Yukari wearing Yuka's pagamas...
>You aren't actually sure where you are right now, what with the moving ship and all. But you think it would either be home or that geyser. Or maybe she just went somewhere to get out of the wind?
-
>"I should see if she went home. It might just be sleepwalking, but with her powers... you can see how it could be problematic."
>When's the last time we can remember a serious conflict between humans and youkai?
-
>"I should see if she went home. It might just be sleepwalking, but with her powers... you can see how it could be problematic."
>When's the last time we can remember a serious conflict between humans and youkai?
>The hooded woman nods.
>The whole hell raven thing was pretty serious, and that wasn't too long ago.
>_
-
> Where is the geyser, exactly? Near the mountain... Human Village... I never played SA or UFO T-T
> Yukari said she was cold, and wanted to warm up. Personally, I would head right into my bed and curl up under my blankets, so lets check the Yakumo household once more :D
-
> Where is the geyser, exactly? Near the mountain... Human Village... I never played SA or UFO T-T
> Yukari said she was cold, and wanted to warm up. Personally, I would head right into my bed and curl up under my blankets, so lets check the Yakumo household once more :D
>You've not been to the geyser, but you heard it's somewhere North-ish of the entrance to the Underground. Which would put it around the edge of the Forest of Magic.
>_
-
> so lets check the Yakumo household once more :D
> Did you ignore that, or did you not see it or what? I find it funny how this always happens, I ask a question and say something to do, only the question gets answered D:
-
> Did you ignore that, or did you not see it or what? I find it funny how this always happens, I ask a question and say something to do, only the question gets answered D:
>Parsers do not consider alterations to the flow of history. Please employ linear time only. Alternately the answer to the question may affect the action.
>You leave the ship, and find yourself high in the sky to the north of the Human Village. It is not too difficult to return home from here.
>You return to your house and find it much as you left it, empty.
>_
-
> To the Geyser then.
-
> To the Geyser then.
>Deciding that speed is of the essence, you leave the house and try to find the geyser.
>You head for the Forest of Magic, and for Marisa's house once again. Then you head north, coming to a large mushroom with a door and some windows set in it. Past that, you can see a ravine that leads north and downward to the Underground. To the north are more trees, giving way to the fields, while to the west and south, you can see the Bamboo Forest. East will take you back where you came. Obvious exists are North1, North2, West1, West 2, East, and South.
>_
-
>remember the goddamned spellcards next time
mystearical
>knock on the mushroom's door and see who lives there (presumably)
-
>remember the goddamned spellcards next time mystearical
>knock on the mushroom's door and see who lives there (presumably)
>You knock on the door. No one answers.
>_
-
>peek inside
>if no one's there, move on...?
>How dangerous is the Underground, anyway?
-
>peek inside
>if no one's there, move on...?
>How dangerous is the Underground, anyway?
>You look through the window, and see a barely furnished house.
>You have several ways you could choose the move on.
>Traditionally, the Underground is very dangerous. But, recent events seem to suggest it's calmed down greatly.
>_
-
>Probably dangerous enough to warrant not going there unprepared.
>Go and get some spellcards from the house, maybe leave a note for Chen (or Yukari when she wakes up)
-
> Head back to the house, Double time. Obtain all of our Spell Cards, and leave a note for Chen and/or Yukari. Something along the lines of "I needed to check on something in the Underground, I will be back ASAP, but could be a bit late for Dinner. -Ran-"
-
>Probably dangerous enough to warrant not going there unprepared.
>Go and get some spellcards from the house, maybe leave a note for Chen (or Yukari when she wakes up)
> Head back to the house, Double time. Obtain all of our Spell Cards, and leave a note for Chen and/or Yukari. Something along the lines of "I needed to check on something in the Underground, I will be back ASAP, but could be a bit late for Dinner. -Ran-"
>You head home as fast as you can, and go to your sleeping spot. Checking the nightstand where you keep your spellcards, you find...most of them are missing. What?!
>You obtain: Shikigami: Wizard Fox Thoughts
>You obtain: Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser
>You leave a quick note for whom it may concern.
>_
-
> Who could have forced their way into the household and swipped most of Ran's cards? That, or Yukari/Chen took them... which means trouble for either.
-
> Who could have forced their way into the household and swipped most of Ran's cards? That, or Yukari/Chen took them... which means trouble for either.
>You don't know if anyone broke in, but it doesn't look like anyone did.
>If Yukari took them, then she must have hidden them in a gap while sleepwalking. You would have no way to get them then. Or worse, she just lost them. If it was Chen...well, you don't know. Except that it would be bad for her to try and use them.
>_
-
> Head to Kourindou and see if any have shown up their.
-
> Head to Kourindou and see if any have shown up their.
>Feeling very suspicious, you set out for Kourindou.
>You arrive at the store without any troubles. Rinnosuke gives another backwards wave as you come in.
>The Store contains:
>Nightlife (Extended)
>Large Bag of Beans
>Bar of Baker's Chocolate
>Bottle of Wine
>Green Yo-Yo
>Big Knife
>Large Pillow
>Deck of Cards
>Bonsai Tree
>Book of Swords
>3 Caramels
>Vial of Sand Grains
>Large Ball of Yarn
>Bottle of Ethanol
>Scroll of Elemental Protection
>Electric Train Set
>Ultimate Truth
>Jar of Fluff
>M.U.L.E.
>Set of Plate Mail Armor (Female)
>Black and White Ying-Yang Orb
>_
-
>raise eyebrow at the yin-yang orb
>"Reimu must have wanted something expensive."
>examine Nightlife (extended), Green Yo-Yo
-
>raise eyebrow at the yin-yang orb
>"Reimu must have wanted something expensive."
>examine Nightlife (extended), Green Yo-Yo
>"Oh, that?" says Rinnosuke as you mention the orb, "It's just a replica. I don't know if it'd actually be useful to anyone around here, but it seemed interesting enough."
>Nightlife (Extended)
>This song brings to mind speakeasies, organized crime, and class.
>Green Yo-Yo
>A wooden toy, painted green.
>_
-
> Wonder if Chen might like that yo-yo.
>Or maybe...
> Suddenly become transfixed with the train set
-
> Wonder if Chen might like that yo-yo.
>Or maybe...
> Suddenly become transfixed with the train set
>Chen always seems to like new toy-Oh that train~
>_
-
>lift the green yo-yo off the shelf a little and let it drop back down to see if it actually floats - Ichirin's description wasn't very clear.
>Does Chen enjoy yarnballs?
-
>lift the green yo-yo off the shelf a little and let it drop back down to see if it actually floats - Ichirin's description wasn't very clear.
>Does Chen enjoy yarnballs?
>The Green Yoyo doesn't seem to float. It was a good thought.
>You have to hide the yarn at the house whenever you want to knit or crochet something.
>_
-
> "Rinnosuke, has mi'ady dropped by here recently?"
> "Could you let me know if someone comes in here and gives you some spellcards, wether they buy anything in return or not? I seem to be missing... oh about... all but 2."
-
> "Rinnosuke, has mi'ady dropped by here recently?"
> "Could you let me know if someone comes in here and gives you some spellcards, wether they buy anything in return or not? I seem to be missing... oh about... all but 2."
>"Actually, she did." says Rinnosuke. "Sleepwalking, but I expect you know that. She wanted to buy a lantern. I told her we didn't have any, but I suppose she didn't hear me. Gave me an imaginary "Tome of Great Power" for it. I must say, she has vivid dreams."
>"Presuming they do not explicitly request I keep it secret, I shall let you know."
>_
-
> "Did she leave through one of her Gaps or did she walk out? If she walked out, did you see which way she was headed?"
-
> "Did she leave through one of her Gaps or did she walk out? If she walked out, did you see which way she was headed?"
>"Through a gap," says Rinnosuke. "I imagine she's off to do whatever she wanted to do with that lantern."
>_
-
>"Then may I explicitly ask you to keep it secret that I am looking for my spellcards? It really wouldn't do to encourage that."
>"Did she call you Izchak?"
-
>"Then may I explicitly ask you to keep it secret that I am looking for my spellcards? It really wouldn't do to encourage that."
>"Did she call you Izchak?"
>"I heard you say exactly nothing about spellcards," saye Rinnosuke.
>"No," he says. "I will presume this is a good thing."
>_
-
>"Maybe."
>inventory, item descriptions
>What does Chen usually do when she's out of the house? Anyone she meets most often, or anything like that?
-
>"Maybe."
>inventory, item descriptions
>What does Chen usually do when she's out of the house? Anyone she meets most often, or anything like that?
>He smirks, and returns to his book.
>Your Inventory Contains
>Fox-ear Bonnet (Worn as Hat)
>A hat designed to accommodate your ears.
>Long-sleeved robe: (Worn as clothes)
>Your favorite robe; its sleeves are perfect for concealing your hands.
>Shikigami: Wizard Fox Thoughts
>It creates thick leafy danmaku that one must move very little to endure.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser
>An aimed burst of danmaku that leaves lasers in its wake.
>She usually goes to play with her friends from school. Who knows where they've gotten off to today or what they're up to?
>_
-
>Maybe we'll have to look into finding trinkets that can be spared for extra yarn or yo-yos, if convenient.
>bid RInnosuke farewell and head back to the entrance of the Underground
-
>You leave Kourindou, and return to the entrance to the Underground. In the distance, you can see the flying ship making its way south.
>_
-
>For curiosity's sake, where would it be headed for, on that course?
>head into the underground, but be wary; still some dangers down here, most likely...
-
>For curiosity's sake, where would it be headed for, on that course?
>head into the underground, but be wary; still some dangers down here, most likely...
>It would be taking the ship toward the lake and Scarlet Devil Manor, roughly speaking.
>You head underground.
>The ravine quickly becomes a cavernous tunnel, leading benefit the surface of the earth. Thankfully, it's not too dark down here. The path is more or less a straight one, with plenty of stalactites and stalagmites to decorate the way. You can see a number of old spider webs in various states of disrepair strung between them.
>Up ahead, you seen a small green-haired youkai sitting in a bucket. She has a tin cup set out in front of her, and looks rather shabby overall.
>_
-
>"Hello?"
-
>"Hello?"
>The green-haired looks at you, looks to the tin cup, then looks to you again.
>"Yeah?"
>_
-
> "Have you seen a Blonde woman pass through here? I'm trying to find her, and I do not want to know what would happen if she were "bothered" as is."
-
> "Have you seen a Blonde woman pass through here? I'm trying to find her, and I do not want to know what would happen if she were "bothered" as is."
>"Yamame went in the deep tunnels today," says the green-haired youkai. "Probably be back out around supper."
>_
-
> "Have you seen anyone else?"
-
> "The woman I am searching for goes by the name Yukari Yakumo."
-
> "Have you seen anyone else?"
>"Nope," says the shabby-looking youkai.
> "The woman I am searching for goes by the name Yukari Yakumo."
>"Oh, I've heard of her." The Youkai shakes her head. "Not seen her, though. What makes you think she'd be around here? Nothing but oni and crazies down here."
>_
-
>"Do you know where I can find the geysers then?"
>Speaking of which, were the geysers above or underground?
-
>"Do you know where I can find the geysers then?"
>Speaking of which, were the geysers above or underground?
>"They're topside, and that's about all I can tells ya," says the youkai. "Can't stand it out there with all that empty."
>_
-
> Do we have any loose change? Hoboes need love too.
-
> Do we have any loose change? Hoboes need love too.
>You check your usual storage spots, and find a couple forgotten ☼ in the hem of your sleeve.
>_
-
> Give it to the poor girl.
> "Here you go, a bit of thanks for your time."
-
> Give it to the poor girl.
> "Here you go, a bit of thanks for your time."
"Hey, thanks," says the green-haired youkai.
>_
-
>"Do you know anyone that I could ask about where the geysers are aboveground? I think Yukari might have gone there, and she's acting up a bit at the moment."
-
>"Do you know anyone that I could ask about where the geysers are aboveground? I think Yukari might have gone there, and she's acting up a bit at the moment."
>"Uh," says Kisume, "Maybe the red white or the black white. Or those people they were talking to? I dunno. Most folks down here got no business being topside."
-
>Hmm. Difficult to say whether trying to talk to whoever was involved with that incident would be a good idea, considering how Reimu and Marisa ended up taking care of it. But might as well find out.
>"Do you know who they talked to, then?"
-
>Hmm. Difficult to say whether trying to talk to whoever was involved with that incident would be a good idea, considering how Reimu and Marisa ended up taking care of it. But might as well find out.
>"Do you know who they talked to, then?"
>"Not a clue," says the youkai with a little shrug.
>You're pretty sure Yukari was one of the people who edged Reimu into the whole thing, but that's rather not an option. Who else would be interested in this place?
>_
-
>Add new sidequest "Test Quantum Mechanical Theory with Chen and a Box"
-
>Wait... does that mean surface youkai are still banned from down here? Crap.
>Probably still worth checking with someone more in the know, though.
>"I think I remember hearing that there's a city down here? Which way would that be?"
-
>Add new sidequest "Test Quantum Mechanical Theory with Chen and a Box"
>Yukari put Chen in a box one afternoon while you were out shopping. It took an half an hour to get her to calm down.
>Wait... does that mean surface youkai are still banned from down here? Crap.
>Probably still worth checking with someone more in the know, though.
>"I think I remember hearing that there's a city down here? Which way would that be?"
>You think that it's considered an antiquated law now.
>"Just follow the floor til it turns into bridge, and there you are," says Kisume. "Thought you were looking for geysers and Yukari, though?"
>_
-
>"She's wandering around a lot, and rather sporadically. If she wanders into the city or to the geysers, I'd like to know a little bit first."
>thank Kisume and head for the bridge
-
>Elaborate on the Yukari Chen Box event.
-
>"She's wandering around a lot, and rather sporadically. If she wanders into the city or to the geysers, I'd like to know a little bit first."
>thank Kisume and head for the bridge
>You make your way down through the caverns, following the youkai's rather odd advice of following the floor. After awhile, you can see why she specified it; there are a few tunnels that open in the ceiling; mostly concealed by the shadows and stalactites.
>After some time, you come to a long, wooden bridge running over a wide subterranean river. Up ahead, you can see the gates of a city. It seems rather noisy in that direction. Obvious exits are North and South.
>Elaborate on the Yukari Chen Box event.
>There is not much to elaborate on. Yukari put Chen in a box while you were gone, and Chen did not enjoy it at all.
>_
-
>carefully approach/start crossing the bridge: There might be something there...
-
>carefully approach/start crossing the bridge: There might be something there...
>You start to cross the bridge carefully. No misfortune seems to befall you.
>You reach the other side with no issues. But there is quite a lot of shouting going on in the city.
>_
-
>observe!
-
> Observe the situation and ask a few people what the commotion is.
> Ponder if this commotion is normal.
-
>observe!
>You look through the gates, and quickly deduce there is a full scale riot going on inside the city.
>_
-
>Well that's not good.
>Any indication of what the riot's about? What are the rioters, all oni?
-
>Well that's not good.
>Any indication of what the riot's about? What are the rioters, all oni?
>It will certainly make things difficult.
>You have no idea why they are rioting. But you are certain everyone that you can see being involved are oni.
>_
-
> Ask someone whats going on. We need info.
-
> Ask someone whats going on. We need info.
>You call out to the oni.
>You quickly conclude that if they could hear you, they likely wouldn't care to answer. They seem far more interested in punching each other and hitting each other with boards and various debris than conversing. You suspect they would likely induct you into the activities.
-
>is there any convenient way to get around the rioting areas and try to find someone staying out of it for an explanation?
-
>is there any convenient way to get around the rioting areas and try to find someone staying out of it for an explanation?
>You could try to fly; but there are some rioters in the air as well. In the end, you don't think any approach will guarantee your safety or non-participation in the riot.
>_
-
>is the outer edge of the city itself an option? Anything nearer the bridge that might be informative?
-
>is the outer edge of the city itself an option? Anything nearer the bridge that might be informative?
>The outer edge of the seems to be made of cavern wall, so it does not strike you as a viable option.
>You don't find much around the bridge that is informative, but in looking around, you notice a small house underneath the bridge, on the bank opposite the city.
>_
-
>Worth a shot. Head down to check out the house.
-
>Worth a shot. Head down to check out the house.
>You approach the house. As you do, the front door opens, and a blonde-haired youkai pokes her head out, looking at you with narrowed eyes.
>"Hey!" She says, "What do you think you're doing down here?"
>_
-
> "I was hoping I could ask someone, just what exactly is going on over their?" *point towards the chaos in the town* "I'm trying to find someone who could be anywhere right now, and my best bet is somewhere past all those Oni. Could you please tell me what is going and how I can by all of them without them attacking me, they seem angry..."
-
> "I was hoping I could ask someone, just what exactly is going on over their?" *point towards the chaos in the town* "I'm trying to find someone who could be anywhere right now, and my best bet is somewhere past all those Oni. Could you please tell me what is going and how I can by all of them without them attacking me, they seem angry..."
>"You want to get over there?" The blonde youkai puts a hand to her mouth and giggles. "You're out of luck, then. They'll be at it for the rest of today and maybe a good bit of tomorrow."
>_
-
>"What exactly do you mean by 'it,' the... riot, I want to call it? And why are they doing that, anyway?"
-
>"What exactly do you mean by 'it,' the... riot, I want to call it? And why are they doing that, anyway?"
"Yeah, riot's a good name for it. " says the blonde youkai. "And I dunno why they do it, just comes up every so many months or years. But if they made sense they wouldn't be oni, would they?"
>_
-
>"I suppose not. I guess I don't need to get involved, anyway; I mostly want to know where the geysers aboveground are, and whether Yukari's been here."
>describe Yukari
-
>"I suppose not. I guess I don't need to get involved, anyway; I mostly want to know where the geysers aboveground are, and whether Yukari's been here."
>describe Yukari
>"Why are you down here if you're looking for geysers aboveground?" asks the youkai, giving you a look. "Nobody down here bothers with that place."
>You describe Yukari. "Not seen anyone like that," says Parsee. "But I stay indoors when the oni get into one of their riots. It's just easier that way."
>_
-
>"Hmm. Seeing as this is the only place I know of that's relevant to how the geysers were found... well, I guess it answers my question anyway. Unless you know anyone in particular that would know regardless?"
-
>"Hmm. Seeing as this is the only place I know of that's relevant to how the geysers were found... well, I guess it answers my question anyway. Unless you know anyone in particular that would know regardless?"
>"Not really," says the youkai. "People down here don't care about the surface very much. Okay, maybe they're kinda curious these days, but I doubt they know much."
>_
-
>nod
>"Alright. I guess I'll have to look for them myself. Thank you very much, miss... er..."
-
>nod
>"Alright. I guess I'll have to look for them myself. Thank you very much, miss... er..."
>"Parsee," says the youkai. She frowns. "Um, good luck, I suppose? Oh! Watch out for the one in the bucket if you haven't seen her. She's kinda a mugger."
>_
-
>"... mugger? Really is still dangerous down here, isn't it. Alright, I'll be careful if I see her again. Thanks again, Parsee."
>head back aboveground, that was a wash!
-
>"... mugger? Really is still dangerous down here, isn't it. Alright, I'll be careful if I see her again. Thanks again, Parsee."
>head back aboveground, that was a wash!
>"Sure is. Good luck." With that, she returns to her house and closes the door.
>You leave the same way you came, returning to the surface. You don't see that green-haired youkai anywhere; she must have run off somewhere.
>_
-
>wonder if she went to try and mug Rinnosuke
>look
-
>wonder if she went to try and mug Rinnosuke
>look
>That would be very foolhardy of her. Even Yukari when she was sleepwalking was willing to pay.
>You look about. You are near the entrance. or exit in your case, of the Underground
>_
-
> Go find the geyser.
-
> Go find the geyser.
>This is an excellent idea! How do you intend to go about doing it?
>_
-
>try taking flight and scouting the lands between here and the Hakurei Shrine? Or would that be unsafe?
-
>As long as the flying ship doesn't slam into you, you think that you ought to be fine.
-
>take off! Sleevehands optional.
-
>take off! Sleevehands optional.
>You take to the air, tucking your hands into your sleeves as is your custom.
>You quickly see what seems to be a pool a little ways to the west, on a rocky outcropping on the Northern Edge of the Bamboo Forest.
>_
-
>investigate. Hope this doesn't make you look like a pervert.
-
>investigate. Hope this doesn't make you look like a pervert.
>It's a public place. How're you going to look like a pervert? Well, at least you hope this line of argument works.
>You land near the pool and approach it. The air here is warming and a bit humid, while the ground is rocky. The pool itself is shaped roughly like a paint easel, with the currently inactive geyser about where the hole would be. There is a youkai with tiger-striped hair soaking in the pool, looking quite pleased with herself. She doesn't seem to have noticed you yet.
>_
-
>stripping to make things fair might work...?
-
>stripping to make things fair might work...?
>You decide that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And who needs to beat 'em anyways? You strip down.
>The youkai overhears you and looks curiously in your direction, before politely looking away.
>_
-
>"Pardon the intrusion. I was looking for the springs since I thought Yukari would have gone here, but I might as well take advantage of the visit."
>get in
>leave clothes nearby and watch them carefully for possible theft, especially by Yukari
-
>"Pardon the intrusion. I was looking for the springs since I thought Yukari would have gone here, but I might as well take advantage of the visit."
>get in
>leave clothes nearby and watch them carefully for possible theft, especially by Yukari
>"Oh, no worries," says the youkai. "I'm Shou. And, did you say Yukari? As in the gap youkai? She's still around?"
>_
-
>raise an eyebrow at that. 'Still around?' or would most youkai not really know her?
>"Ah... yes. I'm her shikigami, and right now she's... acting up. Sleepwalking, apparently. But with her powers, it's... problematic. I'm hoping to manage some sort of damage control and get her back to bed."
>Did anyone else mention the name Shou..?
-
>raise an eyebrow at that. 'Still around?' or would most youkai not really know her?
>"Ah... yes. I'm her shikigami, and right now she's... acting up. Sleepwalking, apparently. But with her powers, it's... problematic. I'm hoping to manage some sort of damage control and get her back to bed."
>Did anyone else mention the name Shou..?
>That is pretty weird. Yukari's pretty infamous by reputation.
>Shou giggles a little bit, while you enter the hot spring, leaving your clothes where you can keep an eye on them. It feels very nice, but it's going to take forever to dry your tails off. "She's not caused any problems, I hope."
>The name does sound a little familiar...oh yes! That hooded youkai with the nyuudou mentioned her!
>_
-
>"Not yet, I think, but she can be the mischievous sort when she feels like it."
>sigh
>"... pardon me, but do you know anything about that thing flying through the sky?"
-
>"Not yet, I think, but she can be the mischievous sort when she feels like it."
>sigh
>"... pardon me, but do you know anything about that thing flying through the sky?"
>"Oh, it's nothing to worry about," says Shou with a wave of her hand.
>_
-
>"I hope so, but I'd like to know what the story behind it is. I didn't get too much detail when I risked the fairy cloud to talk to Ichirin there."
>bust size evaluation
-
>"I hope so, but I'd like to know what the story behind it is. I didn't get too much detail when I risked the fairy cloud to talk to Ichirin there."
>bust size evaluation
>"Oh, you were up there?" says Shou, more attentive now. "I hope Ichirin made a good impression. She can be a little flighty. Did she tell you the story?"
>Shou's not that busty. But she does well with what she has.
>_
-
> Hide uncharacteristic nosebleed. Don't want to mess up the pool, after all.
> "Yes, something about finding and releasing Hijiri, right? Well, good for them, but it's not my business, really - I've really got to find the Mistress, though this seems to be becoming a wild goose chase, in my opinion."
-
> Hide uncharacteristic nosebleed. Don't want to mess up the pool, after all.
> "Yes, something about finding and releasing Hijiri, right? Well, good for them, but it's not my business, really - I've really got to find the Mistress, though this seems to be becoming a wild goose chase, in my opinion."
>"Oh, I can sympathize with that!" says Shou. "I've been on one of my own. The best thing I can suggest is to stop and take a little break, just like this, and try to plan ahead. Also it helps if you have someone helping you out. And yes, you have the general idea down. Things have been...well, kind of falling apart lately. I think the confinement got to Murasa, and she launched the ship a bit earlier than we planned."
>_
-
> "Confinment and such can do that to people. Although you and your partners are tracking objects that, far as i know of, do not move on their own. I am tracking someone who could be nearly anywhere at anytime, she could have even left Gensokyo for all I know :("
> "But it's not all that bad, if I had to pick between, say... getting into fights daily, new enemies daily, or chasing Yukari down, I'd decide to chase her down in a heartbeat."
> "At the rate you and your partners have been going at recently, how long do you think it will be before Hijiri is released?"
-
> "Confinment and such can do that to people. Although you and your partners are tracking objects that, far as i know of, do not move on their own. I am tracking someone who could be nearly anywhere at anytime, she could have even left Gensokyo for all I know :("
> "But it's not all that bad, if I had to pick between, say... getting into fights daily, new enemies daily, or chasing Yukari down, I'd decide to chase her down in a heartbeat."
> "At the rate you and your partners have been going at recently, how long do you think it will be before Hijiri is released?"
>Shou nods along as you lay out your woes. "How long? Well, I have Nazrin out hunting for everything right now; she's very skilled. But, likely a few days yet." She sighs. "Which is why I wish Murasa could have been just a tiny bit more patient."
>_
-
> "A few days is better then a few weeks or months, correct? Besides, if Murasa couldn't wait any longer, then you may as well make the best of the situation, and put the downsides into the back of your head. What's done, is done. Besides, unless someone tries to stop you, everything should be fine."
-
>"What's Hijiri like?"
-
> "A few days is better then a few weeks or months, correct? Besides, if Murasa couldn't wait any longer, then you may as well make the best of the situation, and put the downsides into the back of your head. What's done, is done. Besides, unless someone tries to stop you, everything should be fine."
>Shou nods. "Quite. But I do reserve the right to be a little bitter about the plan going awry."
>"What's Hijiri like?"
>"She's the kindest person I ever met," says Shou, "There's no other woman more deserving to be called a saint."
>_
-
>Consider whether Yukari has any saintly qualities about herself; chuckle.
-
> "Hijiri... Byakuren Hijiri? The human who helped various youkai? Yes, she is very kind, from what I have heard. She alone can prove that humans and youkai actually can get along."
-
> "Hijiri... Byakuren Hijiri? The human who helped various youkai? Yes, she is very kind, from what I have heard. She alone can prove that humans and youkai actually can get along."
>Who're you trying to fool? You've never heard the name before.
>_
-
> Is it truly impossible for a youkai like Ran to have heard of Byakuren? Oh well...
> "What exactly makes this Hijiri person so kind? Trusting and would never leave a friend behind... complimentitive... ect."
-
> Is it truly impossible for a youkai like Ran to have heard of Byakuren? Oh well...
> "What exactly makes this Hijiri person so kind? Trusting and would never leave a friend behind... complimentitive... ect."
>"Very kind. She's one of the first people to truly look beyond species and realize we are all victims of samsara, and that there is no reason to hate or strife to exist among us. She speaks...very beautifully on the subject. Unfortunately, she was betrayed by those who feared her message."
>_
-
> "She sounds like someone I could befriend easily, if she is kind towards youkai. I would love to meet her."
-
> "She sounds like someone I could befriend easily, if she is kind towards youkai. I would love to meet her."
>Shou nods. "She would love to meet you too, I imagine. If you weren't otherwise occupied, I would suggest you go join Ichirin and Murasa on the ship as soon as you could."
>_
-
> "I wouldn't mind doing just that if I had the time."
> "Being able to relax like this is so rare... peace and quiet... no one sending you on errands... no worries... just, relaxation... Ahhh :)"
-
> "I wouldn't mind doing just that if I had the time."
> "Being able to relax like this is so rare... peace and quiet... no one sending you on errands... no worries... just, relaxation... Ahhh :)"
>"Quite," says Shou. "But I really should be on my way. It's not fair to make Nazrin do everything."
>She emerges from the pool, and starts to dry herself off.
>_
-
>Bid her farewell, relax for a few minutes (it ain't easy being a Shikigami!).
>After she's left, get out of the pool and dry ourselves off, change back into clothing.
>Make sure tails are meticulously groomed and up to proper measure.
>Focus! We came here for Yukari. Are there signs of her anywhere? Any gaping gapping gaps at all?
-
> "Ah ok then. Good luck to you Shou, if Hijiri truly is as kind as you say, she is deserving of aid."
> Start getting ready to continue our search. Getting out of the Hot Spring/Geyser, creating mass amounts of NSFW picturesdry off, put clothes back on, ect...
-
>Bid her farewell, relax for a few minutes (it ain't easy being a Shikigami!).
>After she's left, get out of the pool and dry ourselves off, change back into clothing.
>Make sure tails are meticulously groomed and up to proper measure.
>Focus! We came here for Yukari. Are there signs of her anywhere? Any gaping gapping gaps at all?
> "Ah ok then. Good luck to you Shou, if Hijiri truly is as kind as you say, she is deserving of aid."
> Start getting ready to continue our search. Getting out of the Hot Spring/Geyser, creating mass amounts of NSFW picturesdry off, put clothes back on, ect...
>You bid Shou farewell. "I hope to see you again!" she as she hurries away after dressing.
>You enjoy the pool for a few minutes, then decide that's enough.
>You have nothing to dry yourself with, nor have you anything to groom your tails.
>You don't seen signs of Yukari. Unfortunately, short of leaving some footprints or strands of hair behind, there's not much to find. But Shou didn't mention seeing her, and she seemed to somewhat recognize Yukari.
>_
-
> Consider the odds of being seen if we were to "Supah Tenko" our way back to the Yakumo household.
-
> Consider the odds of being seen if we were to "Supah Tenko" our way back to the Yakumo household.
>The Forest of Magic has faeries, and you'd have to pass by Marisa's house. Then if you followed the road who knows whom you might pass?
>Then again, Yukari does this all the time in good weather. But she's also not dripping wet.
>_
-
>Scold ourselves for lack of foresight. If anyone sees us, it'll be so... unseemly.
>Look around. Anything around that can function as a drying implement?
>If no, how long will it take to just dry off by sunbathing? Might as well do that and get our clothes back on.
-
>Scold ourselves for lack of foresight. If anyone sees us, it'll be so... unseemly.
>Look around. Anything around that can function as a drying implement?
>If no, how long will it take to just dry off by sunbathing? Might as well do that and get our clothes back on.
>It wouldn't do for it to get around that you leaped before you looked...
>You don't see anything, expect for your clothes.
>Probably a while, it is a bit humid here. And your tails? Hours.
>_
-
> Could we just take that shortest plausable path back? A straight line/ epic Ran-style ninja-run-along-tree-branches sort of path, flying where needed.
-
> Before that, though, consider the possibility of spinning our tails around like a propeller to get the water out of them, then use them to dry off and do it again.
-
> Could we just take that shortest plausable path back? A straight line/ epic Ran-style ninja-run-along-tree-branches sort of path, flying where needed.
>A straight go would still take you through some inhabited places.
> Before that, though, consider the possibility of spinning our tails around like a propeller to get the water out of them, then use them to dry off and do it again.
>That would be terribly uncomfortable. And your tails can't reach everything.
>_
-
> Put clothes on despite wetness
> Fly back home, staying as high as you can until you're there in an attempt at avoiding being recognized
-
> Watch out for Tengu. If someone approaches, try to look really angry, we can always play off getting thrown into a hot spring... wait, no... if we are going to try that, we will need our clothing wet as well, as in the clothes ended up in the water.
-
> Put clothes on despite wetness
> Fly back home, staying as high as you can until you're there in an attempt at avoiding being recognized
>You decide that extra laundry is a better fake in the end. You get dressed as well as you can, a fairly unpleasant experience with things sticking while you try to put them on.
>You then take to the air, keeping as high as you again, and fly directly home.
>En route, you see three people in white, red, and black approaching you.
> Watch out for Tengu. If someone approaches, try to look really angry, we can always play off getting thrown into a hot spring... wait, no... if we are going to try that, we will need our clothing wet as well, as in the clothes ended up in the water.
>You put on your best irritable face, but you don't know it if would dissuade them.
>_
-
> If one of those people is Aya, fly faster.
> If not, slow down. We may be able to ask about Yukari.
-
> If one of those people is Aya, fly faster.
> If not, slow down. We may be able to ask about Yukari.
>You determine that it's the Prismriver sisters!
>You don't know where Aya is, but you imagine she'd be around the ship somewhere.
>You slow down, and let them approach.
>"Hey! Hey!" says Merlin, waving a thick book. "Let's do card battles!"
>_
-
>"I'm afraid that I do not have time right now. My master is sleepwalking, and I need to find her."
-
> "I'd love to play card games with you, but I am rather busy... maybe some other time?"
-
>"I'm afraid that I do not have time right now. My master is sleepwalking, and I need to find her."
> "I'd love to play card games with you, but I am rather busy... maybe some other time?"
>"Don't be such a square!" says Lyrica, "It's awesome!"
>"Chen said you were cool," Lunasa adds.
>"Not gonna find sleepwalkers up here, anyways," adds Merlin.
>_
-
> "I was just heading home for a moment before I resumed my search... I really am sorry, I truly would enjoy playing some card games with you. However, I must find my master as soon as possible, as I am uncertain of her ability to avoid trouble in this state."
-
Everyone keeps posting just before I post something good. :colonveeplusalpha:
> "If you want me to play, at very least let me dry off and sort myself out."
-
> "I was just heading home for a moment before I resumed my search... I really am sorry, I truly would enjoy playing some card games with you. However, I must find my master as soon as possible, as I am uncertain of her ability to avoid trouble in this state."
>"Laaaaaame!" They all say at once. harmonizing rather well.
> "If you want me to play, at very least let me dry off and sort myself out."
>"Why aren't you already dry?" asks Lunasa, frowning.
>_
-
>"Rising air currents bringing some water and humidity with them. You know how it is."
-
>"Rising air currents bringing some water and humidity with them. You know how it is."
>"Oh," says Lunasa, as the Prismrivers start to follow you. "It's just, um, you're really wet. Like. A lot."
>_
-
>"I had an ill-planned encounter with some rising humidity."
>"And I'm afraid I don't have many spellcards at the moment, if that was what you meant. Or is this a new card game I'm not familiar with?"
>did Chen ever mention a card game recently or anything?
-
>"I had an ill-planned encounter with some rising humidity."
>"And I'm afraid I don't have many spellcards at the moment, if that was what you meant. Or is this a new card game I'm not familiar with?"
>did Chen ever mention a card game recently or anything?
>"Weird. Because, it's just, your clothes aren't-"
>"It's a new game, but it uses spellcards!" Lyrica cuts in, "It's awesome, Card Battles is sweeping the world!"
>Chen's not said anything.
>_
-
> Contemplate if it might be worth agreeing to play a game once you're dry just to get them to stop bothering you
> "How much time would a single game take?"
> Use the answer to this question to help determine your decision
-
> Contemplate if it might be worth agreeing to play a game once you're dry just to get them to stop bothering you
> "How much time would a single game take?"
> Use the answer to this question to help determine your decision
>It would be easier to get rid of them afterwards.
>"Little bit. We have to look up what your cards can do." says Merlin, gesticulating with the book. "But after that, it's a straight to the end!"
>_
-
> "Hm... Alright. I'll play a single game with you after I dry off, if it will take no more than five minutes. Is that alright with you?"
-
> "Hm... Alright. I'll play a single game with you after I dry off, if it will take no more than five minutes. Is that alright with you?"
>"I just want to know why-" Lunasa starts.
>"Okay!" Merlin says, "We'll do a round of Quicksies!"
>_
-
> "Alright. Hold on just a moment."
> Quickly head home to dry off.
> Return and submit to playing the game rather than trying to escape so that they won't be even worse about bugging you later
-
> "Alright. Hold on just a moment."
> Quickly head home to dry off.
> Return and submit to playing the game rather than trying to escape so that they won't be even worse about bugging you later
>You return home. The Prismrivers seem intent on following you. They land outside the house. "Give us onna your cards," says Lyrica, "We'll look it up while you're getting cleaned up."
>_
-
> Randomly pick one of the cards we have remaining and hand it over
> Go dry off
-
> Randomly pick one of the cards we have remaining and hand it over
> Go dry off
>You give them Shikigami: Wizard Fox Thoughts.
>The Prismrivers take the card, ohing and ahing over it. Then Lunasa begins to read off some features, while Merlin flips through the book and Lyrica reads over her shoulder.
>You head inside and find the house is still empty. You dry off as well as you can, though the circumstances prevent you from properly drynig and grooming your hair and tails are you would like. Getting dressed in fresh clothes, your damp tails leave you looking a bit bedraggled.
>"OOOOOOOOOOOOH!" say all the Prismrivers at once outside.
>_
-
>No "drying stuff" housekeeper spell? Seriously? Would foxfire work?
>Whatever. See what the Prismrivers are up in arms about.
-
>No "drying stuff" housekeeper spell? Seriously? Would foxfire work?
>Whatever. See what the Prismrivers are up in arms about.
>Those would still take time.
>You head outside. The Prismrivers are gathered around the book, chattering among themselves. Lyrica looks up at you. "Ran! Ran! You're not gonna believe this! We think you got the Legendary Maid! No one gets the Legendary Maid!"
>_
-
>Feel a little proud for semi-randomly getting some incredibly elusive thing in a card game you know absolutely nothing about.
>"Ahh... can you explain a bit more, please?"
-
>Feel a little proud for semi-randomly getting some incredibly elusive thing in a card game you know absolutely nothing about.
>"Ahh... can you explain a bit more, please?"
>"It has five thousand attack power!" says Lyrica.
>"It's just that attack power doesn't go up to five thousand!" Lunasa says, looking up with wide eyes.
>"We're double checking..." says Merlin.
>_
-
>"What's this card game originate from, anyway?"
-
>"The book," says Lyrica.
>"Hey, I think I figured it out," says Merlin. "How many vowels does it have again?"
>"Nine," says Lunasa.
>"Aha!" Merlin says, as she flips through a few more pages.
>_
-
> Aww, give 'em a hug, they're adorable.
> "If it's a problem, I've got another spellcard here..."
-
> Aww, give 'em a hug, they're adorable.
> "If it's a problem, I've got another spellcard here..."
>You come up behind them and give 'em a hug. They're fairly cold to touch, possibly due to being poltergeists. "H-hey!" says Lunasa. Lyrica returns it.
>"Aw man," says Merlin, "I knew it was too good to be true. We got the letters count wrong. It's the False Legendary Maid."
>Lyrica and Lunasa groan.
>_
-
>"'False Legendary Maid'? Is that a bad thing?"
-
>"'False Legendary Maid'? Is that a bad thing?"
>"Kinda," Lyrica says.
>"It's strong," says Lunasa, "It's just, it has the backlash trait. So it hurts itself."
>"And the fuel requirement," Merlin adds, scrunching up her face. "So it's way weaker than it looks."
>Lunasa gives a sort of weak smile. "It's still kinda cool..."
>"No it isn't!" Lyrica says.
>_
-
>Show Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser to the Prismrivers and ask them if they think it would a better card than Wizard-Fox Thoughts.
-
>Show Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser to the Prismrivers and ask them if they think it would a better card than Wizard-Fox Thoughts.
>You show them your other spellcard, curious now,
>Lunasa takes it and begins to read off some traits: The number of vowels and letters in the name, the predominate color of the card, and some of the significant markings on it.
>This one doesn't seem to take as long as the other did. After a minute of flipping between pages and consulting a chart, Merlin says, "It's a basic Green Snake."
>"Not very good at all," says Lyrica.
>"But it ignores all defenses," says Lunasa, trying to sound encourage. "It's just, it only has one hundred attack and life."
>_
-
>What are the requirements for the Legendary Maid? ask
-
> "How much did that Fake Legendary Maid take up of this "fuel" and how much "life" and "attack" did it have?"
-
>What are the requirements for the Legendary Maid? ask
>"There's a bunch of them!" says Merlin. She flips back a few pages, and shows you. "Here, look."
>The left page is an illustration of said creature, looking like a multi-limbed Vedic deity in a maid uniform towering over the landscape with cleaning and cooking utensils in each hand, doing a dozen tasks at once. To the left is a chart. You note that it has parameters involving the number of letters and vowels in the card name, several involving its color, the day of the week it is, the current weather, and a few about the markings. There seem to be fifteen parameters that need to be fulfilled overall.
> "How much did that Fake Legendary Maid take up of this "fuel" and how much "life" and "attack" did it have?"
>"It's got two thousand five hundred attack and life," says Lunasa. "But because of backlash, it, uh, takes one thousand damage when it attacks. And you lose four hundred at the start of the turn for fuel. So, she's kind of not made to take hits. Or hang around."
>_
-
> "I may be reading this wrong, but 15 different parameters must be met to use this? And with what you said about it, this seems to be the "This must finish it or I lose" sort of card... interesting. If all the needs were met, this would be a powerful card correct? You did say that the maximum was 4000 or something like that, right?"
> Past Yukari, Chen and whoever we fought during the long winter caused by Yuyuko(Perfect Cherry Blossom), who would know how many Spell Cards that Ran should have?
-
> "I may be reading this wrong, but 15 different parameters must be met to use this? And with what you said about it, this seems to be the "This must finish it or I lose" sort of card... interesting. If all the needs were met, this would be a powerful card correct? You did say that the maximum was 4000 or something like that, right?"
> Past Yukari, Chen and whoever we fought during the long winter caused by Yuyuko(Perfect Cherry Blossom), who would know how many Spell Cards that Ran should have?
>"Yep. It's really hard to get 'em all," says Merlin as she takes the book back. "There's a few if/thens too. But yeah, it'd be one of the best. The second highest attack power is three thousand on the Cosmic Messenger, and she's pretty rare too."
>"Only three cards even have more than five thousand life," Lunasa adds. "But some can defend. Even then..."
>You don't tend to get into many fights or boast much about your spellcards. Many people generally accept you're pretty top tier when it comes to danmaku and leave you alone; you've not actually had to go all out since Yuyuko's incident. So you are pretty sure no one else really knows your full capacities.
>_
-
> "So what happens now that we have all these numbers?"
-
> "So what happens now that we have all these numbers?"
>"We kick ass!" says Lyrica, as she pulls out a couple of spellcards. You quickly realize that she's got more cards than you do, and given your circumstances things don't look too good.
>"You can attack, defend, or switch" says Lunasa. "Defend is sometimes good because it cuts damage in half, and some cards have things that charge up with a couple turns. When you switch, um, the switched in card can't do anything that turn, unless it's got the Reflexes Trait. Then it can."
>_
-
> "So switching makes the card switch between offense and defense, makes sense."
OOC: What is this, the Gensokyo version of Yu-Gi-Oh?
-
> "So switching makes the card switch between offense and defense, makes sense."
OOC: What is this, the Gensokyo version of Yu-Gi-Oh?
> I'm pretty sure switching means you can switch to a different card.
-
> "So switching makes the card switch between offense and defense, makes sense."
>"Oh, no!" says Lunasa. "It's just, um, I meant switching between one card and another."
>_
-
> "Ah ok. My mistake."
-
> "Ah ok. My mistake."
>"So, you wanted a quick game?" asks Lyrica, "Just one round?"
>You don't like that smile she has.
>_
-
> "One. Try for more and danmaku will fly."
> "Actually, what is the penalty for losing, if anything? With a look like that on your face, I think your up to something, so don't try anything funny Prismriver. You think you can fool someone new to this, and play them like a Violin, so-to-speak, you'll eat danmaku. I'm not in the mood for silly little jokes at the moment, one got me soaking wet."
> No Nonsense expression while saying all of it... or a devilish grin.
-
> "One. Try for more and danmaku will fly."
> "Actually, what is the penalty for losing, if anything? With a look like that on your face, I think your up to something, so don't try anything funny Prismriver. You think you can fool someone new to this, and play them like a Violin, so-to-speak, you'll eat danmaku. I'm not in the mood for silly little jokes at the moment, one got me soaking wet."
> No Nonsense expression while saying all of it... or a devilish grin.
>"Jeez, calm down," says Merlin.
>"No penalty for losing." Lunasa says, frowning at your words, "Um, except losing. And never having a perfect record"
>_
-
>"What are the rules and mechanics of this card game?"
-
>"What are the rules and mechanics of this card game?"
>"Pretty much what I just said," says Lunasa. "Um, both go at the same time. So double KOs happen. If you're defending, you do that before anything else happens. If there's traits you use, rather than passive, they go next. Sometimes there are exceptions. Then attacks and passive traits at the same time. It's easy."
>_
-
> "Any silly or catchy lines for when one of these games begins? Like "It's time to duel!" or something like that?"
-
>"How many cards can you use at once? How long does 'damage' done to them last? What happens when one of them is... KO'd, as you put it?"
-
> "Any silly or catchy lines for when one of these games begins? Like "It's time to duel!" or something like that?"
>"Maybe if you're Cirno," Lyrica says, prompting the others to giggle.
>"How many cards can you use at once? How long does 'damage' done to them last? What happens when one of them is... KO'd, as you put it?"
>"Just one at a time in quick matches," says Lunasa. "There's styles where you can use two at a time, though. Oh, and damage only lasts in, um, the game they're in. Next game it's gone. When they'd KO'd, you don't get to use 'em in that game. But you can in later ones."
>_
-
>"... this is a foregone conclusion for me, isn't it?"
>sigh and chuckle
>"I assume the win condition is to be the last one standing?"
-
>"... this is a foregone conclusion for me, isn't it?"
>sigh and chuckle
>"I assume the win condition is to be the last one standing?"
>"Probably," says Lunasa, "And yep. You can start with whichever. Since it's just a quick game, um, only one for each of us."
>_
-
>Green Snake sounds terrible. Use the False Legendary Maid, even though that's a bad choice too, when used alone.
-
> "Consider the situation, it's either use Green Snake which I assume would be bested within one attack, but I cannot use False Legendary Maid unless I meet the requirements... should I just ignore that one rule and use it? Or am I going to have to accept a loss?"
-
>Green Snake sounds terrible. Use the False Legendary Maid, even though that's a bad choice too, when used alone.
>Green Snake really doesn't seem to have a lot of oomph to it. It does have a trait to ignore defense, though.
> "Consider the situation, it's either use Green Snake which I assume would be bested within one attack, but I cannot use False Legendary Maid unless I meet the requirements... should I just ignore that one rule and use it? Or am I going to have to accept a loss?"
>"Oh, you got the False Legendary Maid, it's the real one we thought you had but were wrong." says Merlin, "See?"
>She shows you another page in the book. The False Legendary Maid's picture is clearly made to resemble that of the true one; the positions and such are exactly the same. But the False Legendary Maid is a clockwork thing with a large crank key in its temple, looking rather like something Nitori might dream up. It also seems to be causing as much mess as it's cleaning. At a glance, it seems your spellcard does match its parameters.
>_
-
>Probably the best thing to do would be to use the false maid and defend until there's one opponent left, though that probably wouldn't work.
>check the False Legendary Maid's game properties
>"May I see the page for the Green Snake, too? I'm curious."
-
I said False Legendary Maid you silly ;)
> "Considering the rules limiting the use of the False version, would I be permitted use of it in this game? Either by skipping the rule or by the requirements matching up? Green Snake most likly would not last long here..."
-
I thought it was usable, just losing 400 health at the start of each round and taking 1000 damage when it actually attacks?
>"Do cards ever regenerate without being specifically healed by abilities?"
-
>Probably the best thing to do would be to use the false maid and defend until there's one opponent left, though that probably wouldn't work.
>check the False Legendary Maid's game properties
>"May I see the page for the Green Snake, too? I'm curious."
>False Legendary Maid:
>Life: 2500
>Attack: 2500
>Traits: Backlash: Takes 1000 damage when it attacks. Fueled: Consumes 400 life per turn at the end of each turn.
>"Sure!" says Merlin, and she flips to another page. There you see a picture of a humble-looking garden snake in a tomato patch, just minding its own business.
>Green Snake
>Life: 100
>Attack: 100
Traits: Sharp Teeth: Ignores all defense actions and defensive traits.
> "Considering the rules limiting the use of the False version, would I be permitted use of it in this game? Either by skipping the rule or by the requirements matching up? Green Snake most likly would not last long here..."
>"You can use it, um, if you wanna," says Lunasa. "Fair and square."
>"Do cards ever regenerate without being specifically healed by abilities?"
>"Not without the right trait, no," says Lunasa. "Only a couple cards do it, too."
>_
-
> "Is it just random chance that the 2 cards I have, happen to have the exact same amount of Attack and Life? Or is this common?"
-
> "Is it just random chance that the 2 cards I have, happen to have the exact same amount of Attack and Life? Or is this common?"
>"About half of them are like that," says Lyrica.
>_
-
>chuckle
>"Is this a one-on-one match, or multi-player?"
>frown
>"And how long does a 'round' last, exactly?"
-
>chuckle
>"Is this a one-on-one match, or multi-player?"
>frown
>"And how long does a 'round' last, exactly?"
>"We're kinda going as one," says Lyrica. "This card's for all three of us."
>"It's, uh, one exchange of attacks." says Lunasa.
>_
-
>Nod.
>"Alright then, what will you be using? Or should we both choose in private?"
-
>Nod.
>"Alright then, what will you be using? Or should we both choose in private?"
>"You don't tell 'em," says Merlin. "Especially in quick battles"
>_
-
> This voice doesn't see why we shouldn't use the False Maid and just plow through. We have enough life for at least one attack, and that should be mostly enough. That said:
> "Hey, what's the order of events in an individual turn?"
-
> This voice doesn't see why we shouldn't use the False Maid and just plow through. We have enough life for at least one attack, and that should be mostly enough. That said:
> "Hey, what's the order of events in an individual turn?"
>"It's, um, like I said before," says Lunasa. "If you defend, that's before everything. Then traits that aren't tied to attacking or are, uh, passive. Then attacks and passive traits. You don't have any traits that'd be,um, used, so it'll be simple."
>_
-
>"It's, um, like I said before," says Lunasa. "If you defend, that's before everything. Then traits that aren't tied to attacking or are, uh, passive. Then attacks and passive traits. You don't have any traits that'd be,um, used, so it'll be simple."
>_
> "So my "fuel" would be used before the attack, right? That makes sense. Are there any random elements involved?"
-
> "So my "fuel" would be used before the attack, right? That makes sense. Are there any random elements involved?"
>"Just what you get," says Lyrica.
>"It changes," Lunasa adds.
>_
-
> This voice doesn't see why we shouldn't use the False Maid and just plow through. We have enough life for at least one attack, and that should be mostly enough.
The prismrivers also know this, and the Snake's properties indicate that there are other cards/monsters with defensive properties that would make it useless, such as immunity to direct/combat damage (and/or enough life to survive two hits while defending, in which case the maid destroys itself). The real question is how many layers of fakeout there are about which to use, and whether those defensive monsters would be strong enough to steamroll the snake without dying in the meantime regardless of the defense-ability negation.
>"I assume switching isn't allowed in quick battles?"
>"And... I'm probably getting too into this, but I'm curious about what your cards are in this game, as well. May I see?"
-
>"I assume switching isn't allowed in quick battles?"
>"And... I'm probably getting too into this, but I'm curious about what your cards are in this game, as well. May I see?"
>Lyrica shakes her head when you ask about switching.
>The Prismrivers look between themselves, frowning or grimacing and quiet for a moment. "Um, it's just..." Lunasa starts.
>"Do you have to?" Merlin finishes.
>_
-
> "Come now, girls, it's only fair."
> Adopt Stern Concerned Mother Stance.
-
> "Come now, girls, it's only fair."
> Adopt Stern Concerned Mother Stance.
>"Okaaaaaaay," they all say glumly.
>They show you the cards that they have. It's not hard to look them up, they have the pages dogeared.
>Forceful Wyrm, which is depicted as an angry western-style dragon in a furious storm, flying through fire and flames.
>500 Life
>1000 Attack Power
>Traits: Black Fire: Does 300 damage to opponent at the end of each turn
>Blessed Diver; it's picture is of a person in a blackened sea, wearing a curious suit that seems to keep her from drowning
>1700 Life
>400 Attack Power
>Traits: Ride the Tiger: When paired with Cruel Tiger, gains cumulative 300 attack power for each round it's out.
>Worthless Shrine Maiden; the picture is of a shrine maiden napping in a hammock with a dilapidated shrine in the background.
>60 Life
>300 Attack
>Traits: Dodgy: All Attacks against Worthless Shrine Maiden do 1/100th normal damage.
>The True Queen; who is depicted as a tall, green-haired woman dressed in wine-colored robes sitting upon a throne with a scepter. The way her hair is arranged makes you think of Hina.
>1200 Life
>700 Attack Power
>Traits: Decree: May prevent opponent from using one trait at any time when this card is in play. Royal Privilege: May swap with another card and allow the swapped card to attack that round, once per game.
>_
-
> Well, we're screwed. Keep a confident face nonetheless.
-
> Well, we're screwed. Keep a confident face nonetheless.
Not really. Depends a lot on what they pick and their actions though, since this will be VERY quick.
>Green Snake would be good against the Worthless Shrine Maiden and a death sentence against anyone else. Pick the False Legendary Maid and start!
-
>You make your selection.
>The Prismrivers seem to be having a whispered argument among themselves. You hear snatches of "She knows we're gonna do it!" and "She's clueless!" between them. It seems you may have affected their confidence a bit.
>_
-
>...err, maybe they ARE going to pick Worthless Shrine Maiden, since that's the only one that would be the False Legendary Maid (I think...?). If they do, Green Snake would win, but...
>What do the other voices think? They're acting really suspicious, but it's a rather... hmm.
>If we're allowed to change our selection, maybe we'd better do Green Snake instead. It's not like a whole lot is balanced on this card game anyway. I think we should take the chance.
-
>It seems permissible to change the card, until it is actually played. It's pretty clear they're debating on whether to do it.
-
>They're probably thinking we'll pick False Legendary Maid as the obvious better choice, so they would go with the one choice that would win; Worthless Shrine Maiden. But then, they think, what if we foresee this and go with Green Snake instead, the choice that would beat Worthless Shrine Maiden yet nothing else they have?
>It's all a matter of whether they think we foresaw this or not, and decide on Worthless Shrine Maiden or something else. Assuming I'm correct.
>Personally, I'd go for Green Snake, as long as no one else here disagrees.
-
>Personally, I'd go for Green Snake, as long as no one else here disagrees.
Personally, I'd go for "flip a coin" since now that both parties know about it the second-guessing enters an infinite loop.
But it's worth noting that the Green Snake can at best tie by double-KOing the shrine maiden. Maid wins two matchups hands down, loses another, and is somewhat ambiguous against the Diver if it defends to survive a hit (and the maid attack/fuel costs total her own HP after the second attack).
I guess the question is how much the Prismrivers second-guess stuff. And whether they'd second-guess a misdirection attempt like "I'm gonna clobber you guys."
>Who's saying what here, and how many? Or is the argument about evenly divided?
-
>Who's saying what here, and how many? Or is the argument about evenly divided?
>You think Lyrica's insisting the plan will totally work, and Merlin saying there's no way it'll work. Lunasa seems to be trying to come up with some manner to determine which way to go in a rational fashion, and not seeming to have much luck.
>_
-
>Acting confident would suggest learning something from that look and being deceptive, changing nothing. Acting sneaky would make all of them more suspicious and make this less determinable. So, ignorance!
>"It's a complex game, isn't it? And that Diver card had interesting art."
>give them a moment, plan snake unless this backfires
-
> No, no, probability-wise we should go Maid - as was mentioned upthread, Snake only wins one matchup, Maid wins two. We have no idea about their play tendencies, so we should go for the one with the more certain win.
-
>Acting confident would suggest learning something from that look and being deceptive, changing nothing. Acting sneaky would make all of them more suspicious and make this less determinable. So, ignorance!
>"It's a complex game, isn't it? And that Diver card had interesting art."
>give them a moment, plan snake unless this backfires
>You decide to pretend you know nothing.
>"Yeah, it gets intense!" says Lunasa. "That's why we, um, didn't want you to just walk off."
>"The Diver's my favorite!" Merlin adds. "She's so cool, being all under the lake and stuff!"
>Lyrica smirks. You hear her whisper something about "not knowing anything".
> No, no, probability-wise we should go Maid - as was mentioned upthread, Snake only wins one matchup, Maid wins two. We have no idea about their play tendencies, so we should go for the one with the more certain win.
>It's so confusing trying to predict the likes of the Prismrivers... Or, really, anyone in this.
>_
-
> No, no, probability-wise we should go Maid - as was mentioned upthread, Snake only wins one matchup, Maid wins two. We have no idea about their play tendencies, so we should go for the one with the more certain win.
You say that as if both teams are choosing their card randomly and with even probabilities. For the most part it's a choice between "miko" and "anything else," based on Ran's options.
>What about their other spellcards, for that matter? They must have more than four.
>"Do you think the kappa ever put together a suit like the Diver's? It looks a little like something they'd do..."
-
>What about their other spellcards, for that matter? They must have more than four.
>"Do you think the kappa ever put together a suit like the Diver's? It looks a little like something they'd do..."
>They don't seem to have drawn out any more. Maybe they got beaten recently and lost a few?
>"I dunno," says Merlin, "But it would be the best~"
>Lunasa seems to be getting nowhere, and Lyrica seems to be getting impatient.
>_
-
> "Come now, girls, you promised the game would be quick. I do have business to attend to."
-
> "Come now, girls, you promised the game would be quick. I do have business to attend to."
>"Yeah, let's go!" says Lyrica, putting a card face down in front of her.
>_
-
>Lyrica smirks. You hear her whisper something about "not knowing anything".
>They're almost surely going for the Worthless Shrine Maiden, especially considering Lyrica is the one who put down their card.
>Play Green Snake.
-
>They're almost surely going for the Worthless Shrine Maiden, especially considering Lyrica is the one who put down their card.
>Play Green Snake.
>You play your card, and are pleased to see your prediction is correct.
>"Ah crap!" Lyrica says.
>"I told you about her, Lyrica!" Merlin says, "I told you!"
>"Double KO," says Lunasa with a nod. "Good game."
>_
-
> "This reminds me of another game of cards. Something about a slave and an emperor. Anyway, girls, thank you for your company, but I've really got to get going."
> Recall where Yukari was seen last.
-
> "This reminds me of another game of cards. Something about a slave and an emperor. Anyway, girls, thank you for your company, but I've really got to get going."
> Recall where Yukari was seen last.
>"See you later!" says Merlin, as the Prismrivers fly off to find someone else to bother.
>You aren't sure if you were the last person to see her, aboard the flying ship, or if Rinnosuke was.
>_
-
>The most recent hint was her going either somewhere warm or somewhere that a lantern would come in handy. The hotspot wasn't the springs, and if she wanted a lantern for the Underground, it doesn't look like she was anywhere accessible without fighting off a dozen oni.
>"Ah, a question before you go! Have you seen Chen today?"
-
>The most recent hint was her going either somewhere warm or somewhere that a lantern would come in handy. The hotspot wasn't the springs, and if she wanted a lantern for the Underground, it doesn't look like she was anywhere accessible without fighting off a dozen oni.
>"Ah, a question before you go! Have you seen Chen today?"
>"She's playing with the faeries by the lake, last I saw!" Lyrica calls back.
>_
-
>"Thank you!"
>is that even remotely on the way to Youkai Mountain?
>make sure the house is locked up proper, glance for any signs of Yukari stopping by again
-
>"Thank you!"
>is that even remotely on the way to Youkai Mountain?
>make sure the house is locked up proper, glance for any signs of Yukari stopping by again
>It is not.
>You lock up the house, after checking to see if Yukari's stopped by again. Nothing seems to have been disturbed.
>_
-
> Consider heading down to the lake to tell Chen about Yukari. Having two people activly searching for her in different area's should have about twice the chance of finding her... right?
-
> Consider heading down to the lake to tell Chen about Yukari. Having two people activly searching for her in different area's should have about twice the chance of finding her... right?
>Chen would certainly enhance your ability to cover ground.
>_
-
>Good point. Head for the lake.
-
>Good point. Head for the lake.
>You make your way southward, through the Forest of Magic once again. Soon, the forest and the road give way to an open space dominated by the late, its waters choppy and agitated from the day's wind. In the distance, you can see Scarlet Devil Mansion.
>Nearby, at the banks of the lake, you can see Chen, among Daiyousei, Rumia, Cirno, and a few faeries you don't immediately recognize. They seem to be rather noisy at the moment.
>_
-
> Approach Chen and the others.
> Greet everyone properly.
> "Chen, I need your help with something. Lady Yukari seems to be... sleep walking and I have next to no idea where she is, could you help me find her?"
-
> Approach Chen and the others.
> Greet everyone properly.
> "Chen, I need your help with something. Lady Yukari seems to be... sleep walking and I have next to no idea where she is, could you help me find her?"
>You approach the group and start to greet them. As you do, Cirno looks over, and her eyes go wide. "It's Ran!" she shouts, "Cheese it!"
>Before you can say anything, most of the group scatters and runs. Chen remains, looking around and seeming confused. Then she sees you and shrinks back, eyes wide.
>_
-
> "Is something the matter Chen?"
-
> "Is something the matter Chen?"
>"Um...ah..."
>Her eyes are getting watery.
>Out of the corner of your eye, you think you see Daiyousei watching from the edge of the forest, while hiding behind a tree.
>_
-
> Check ourself... did we get dressed? Are we presntable?
> "Chen, what is it, is their something behind me?" Turn around enough to look behind ourself.
-
> Check ourself... did we get dressed? Are we presntable?
> "Chen, what is it, is their something behind me?" Turn around enough to look behind ourself.
>Your tails aren't their best by a long shot, but that wouldn't get this kind of reaction...
>She shakes her head. You look back, and see Daiyousei duck behind the tree. You are pretty sure you see Rumia lurking some distance away, too.
>_
-
> "Chen whats the matter? You seem bothered by something. I can't do anything about it if I don't know what it is."
-
>Handsleeves, crouch down to her level, give moe motherly look.
-
> "Chen whats the matter? You seem bothered by something. I can't do anything about it if I don't know what it is."
>Handsleeves, crouch down to her level, give moe motherly look.
>It's pretty obvious that something is wrong and Chen doesn't want to talk about about. You kneel down so you aren't towering over her imperiously and do you best to look kindly.
>"R-r-ran..." she says, trying to fight back the tears and starting to lose that battle, "I d-did someth-thiing b-b-bad..."
>_
-
>Ruffle (her) hair.
>"Tell me about it, little Chen. I'm sure it'll be fine."
-
> "It's ok Chen, I won't be angry."
> Give Chen a nice big loving hug.
-
>Ruffle (her) hair.
>"Tell me about it, little Chen. I'm sure it'll be fine."
> "It's ok Chen, I won't be angry."
> Give Chen a nice big loving hug.
>Chen freezes up a little as you ruffle her hair and hug her.
>She sniffles. "P-prom-mise you w-won't g-get ma-mad?"
-
> "I promise."
-
> "I promise."
>"O-okay..." she says.
>Chen backs away from you, and takes a few deep, steadying breathes. Then she closes her eyes and clenches her fists.
>"I-ItookyourspellcardsthenthewindblewthemintothelakeandI'msorry!"
>She winces preemptively
>_
-
>"Oh. So that's where they went."
>"Hmm. What could have convinced you to thrown them into the lake? That doesn't seem very logical."
-
>"Thank you for telling me Chen." Give her a "I'm not mad" sort of smile.
> "Don't worry Chen, I'm not mad, but we are going to have to get them back at some point."
-
>"Oh. So that's where they went."
>"Hmm. What could have convinced you to thrown them into the lake? That doesn't seem very logical."
>DON'T say that second one. That's just mean. She didn't throw them into the lake, she lost hold of them or something like that and the wind blew them away.
>Would a spellcard still be usable after a swim in the lake?
-
>"Oh. So that's where they went."
>"Hmm. What could have convinced you to thrown them into the lake? That doesn't seem very logical."
>"Thank you for telling me Chen." Give her a "I'm not mad" sort of smile.
> "Don't worry Chen, I'm not mad, but we are going to have to get them back at some point."
>DON'T say that second one. That's just mean. She didn't throw them into the lake, she lost hold of them or something like that and the wind blew them away.
>Would a spellcard still be usable after a swim in the lake?
>You smile as best you can, but on the inside, you're wincing rather badly. It'll take you weeks of dedicated work to replace those! Falling into the lake would probably be enough ruin them unless it was gotten out very quickly.
>Chen sniffles, but she nods and relaxes a bit; it doesn't look like she might try to run away anymore. "T-thank you, Ran...I'm sorry...I just wanted to win..."
>"We were able to get them back," says Daiyousei, whom you notice is peaking around from a closer tree than before, only a few yards away. "But, um, the ones that fell in don't look so good..."
>_
-
> "Thank you very much for getting them back. Even if they are damaged, it's not a major problem. They can be replaced with time. I would have let you borrow one or two of them if you had asked, so next time could you please ask me Chen?"
> Kind, loving smile still needs to be used more :3
-
> "Thank you very much for getting them back. Even if they are damaged, it's not a major problem. They can be replaced with time. I would have let you borrow one or two of them if you had asked, so next time could you please ask me Chen?"
> Kind, loving smile still needs to be used more :3
>"I thought'd you'd have said no..." Chen murmurs, looking at the ground studiously. "I was gonna put 'em back..."
>_
-
> "Don't worry about it Chen, I'm not mad ok."
> "Now Chen, this is important. Lady Yukari seems to be outside and sleep walking, do you think you could help me find her?"
-
> "Don't worry about it Chen, I'm not mad ok."
> "Now Chen, this is important. Lady Yukari seems to be outside and sleep walking, do you think you could help me find her?"
>"Huh?" says Chen, looking up. "She sleepwalks? That sounds really bad..."
>_
-
> "I don't know how bad it really is, but I think it sounds bad to. I'm a bit worried about what she might do like this. Do you think you could help me find her?"
-
> "I don't know how bad it really is, but I think it sounds bad to. I'm a bit worried about what she might do like this. Do you think you could help me find her?"
>Chen nods. "Where do you want me to look for her? And, um, what do you want me to do if I find her?"
>_
-
> "I'm not to sure where she would be to be honest. But if you do find her, try to lead her back to the house as best as you can. Talking to her should be fine, just don't be to loud, waking up someone who is sleepwalking is dangerous enough as it is."
> Would it be out of the way, if we were heading to Youkai Mountain, to check the Hakurei Shrine? Reimu and Yukari are on good terms, or at least not enemies, right?
-
> "I'm not to sure where she would be to be honest. But if you do find her, try to lead her back to the house as best as you can. Talking to her should be fine, just don't be to loud, waking up someone who is sleepwalking is dangerous enough as it is."
> Would it be out of the way, if we were heading to Youkai Mountain, to check the Hakurei Shrine? Reimu and Yukari are on good terms, or at least not enemies, right?
>"Okay, I'll do my best. I'll look around the forest and stuff, so you don't have to bother with it."
>It would be fairly out of the way.
>_
-
> "If you have the chance Chen, could you see if she's at the Hakurei Shrine? Reimu and Lady Yukari don't seem to fight with each other, so she might be their."
-
> "If you have the chance Chen, could you see if she's at the Hakurei Shrine? Reimu and Lady Yukari don't seem to fight with each other, so she might be their."
>"I'll go check right now!" Chen says. She starts to run off, then stops. "Oh, I should probably give you these..." She hands you a mass of soggy spellcards. "The good news is that not all of 'em fell one, and I think one is still good!"
>You obtain: 5 Ruined Spellcards
>You obtain: Shikigami's Radiance: Charming Siege from All Sides
>You obtain: Shikigami's Shot: Unilateral Contact
>You obtain: Illusion God: Descent of Izuna Gongen (Water damaged)
>Chen runs off to the north.
>_
-
>"Thank you, Chen!"
>glance around for her cohorts
-
>"Thank you, Chen!"
>glance around for her cohorts
>She waves.
>You can pick them out pretty easily, hiding in various places.
>_
-
>"Would the rest of you like to outline what happened, exactly?"
>DO spellcards blow in the wind like that?
-
>"Would the rest of you like to outline what happened, exactly?"
>DO spellcards blow in the wind like that?
>"It's like she said," says Cirno, peeking down from the bows of a tree. "She was taking on Rumia in Card Battles, and the wind blew and sent them everywhere."
>They are cards, a good wind will send them flying.
>_
-
> "Ok then. I just needed to ask."
> "Next time you want to get me involved in a game, or to use something of mine, feel free to ask. I'm reasonable, I'll usually play with you if you ask me to, but at times I am busy."
> "By the way, what exactly does "cheese it" mean? I've heard a few times, and I can only guess at what it means, every time I hear it, fairies start fleeing."
-
>"Hey, don't get on us about it," says Daiyousei, "It was Chen that took 'em."
>"That's a secret!" says one of the faeries you can't identify peeking out from the brush.
>_
-
>would any of them be of any use trying to remake your spellcards? What about Chen?
>... thinking about it, what WOULD be the safest thing to do with Yukari at this point? Ask her to go back to bed? Damage control?
-
>would any of them be of any use trying to remake your spellcards? What about Chen?
>... thinking about it, what WOULD be the safest thing to do with Yukari at this point? Ask her to go back to bed? Damage control?
>Probably not. Unless you were going to try to make a combination card with them, akin to what the Prismrivers have. You'll probably have to work with Chen to restore Shikigami: Chen, depending on how damaged the card is.
>You suspect getting Yukari back to bed would be best for everyone. Trying to keep collateral damage to a minimum would also be good.
>_
-
>"I won't ask the rest of you to look for her, but if any of you encounter Yukari, keep an eye out in case she causes trouble. Waking her up would probably be a bad idea, and saying much is risky, but just telling her 'you look tired' may remind her where she's supposed to sleep. Could I ask for that, if any of you see her today?"
-
>"I won't ask the rest of you to look for her, but if any of you encounter Yukari, keep an eye out in case she causes trouble. Waking her up would probably be a bad idea, and saying much is risky, but just telling her 'you look tired' may remind her where she's supposed to sleep. Could I ask for that, if any of you see her today?"
>"I usually just run," says Daiyousei. "She's way scary!"
>"Okay!" Rumia says.
>"I guess," says Cirno.
>_
-
> "Thank you very much, I mean it. Most of us know that she is very powerful, waking her up right now is... a very bad idea. No matter what you do at times, waking her right now could be worse then a death sentence, or even worse."
-
>"Yeek!" says one of the random faeries, withdrawing into the bushes.
>"That'd be super bad," says Cirno. "Okay, we'll make double extra sure not to wake her up."
>_
-
> "Yeah, and I don't have much choice but to look for her."
> "If any of you do see her, but don't want to get near her, then at least find me or Chen and tell us where you saw her."
-
> "Yeah, and I don't have much choice but to look for her."
> "If any of you do see her, but don't want to get near her, then at least find me or Chen and tell us where you saw her."
>You get a chorus of "Okay!" and "Sure thing!" from the gathered faeries and Rumia. They certainly seem to like the idea of not messing with Yukari better.
>_
-
> Do we have any ideas where Yukari might have gone?
-
> Do we have any ideas where Yukari might have gone?
>You do not know where Yukari might have gone. But you do have some ideas about where she has been.
>You know she walked to the Hakurei Shrine, fairly soon after you first discovered she was missing. She mistook Suika for Reimu.
>You know she went to the tavern after that, asking for Marisa. Then she went to Marisa's house, and according to Wriggle, spoke with her. Afterwards, she vanished. You aren't sure where she intended to go after that, but Wriggle said she mentioned a mountain. Following that, you found her briefly on the flying ship, but she quickly vanished after complaining about the cold. At some point, she also visited Rinnosuke, asking about a lamp. It feels like there's a pattern to all this.
>_
-
> "I'm going to go look for Yukari. All of you take care~"
> Be looking only at Chen when you say this.
> Fly to Youkai Mountain, hoping that a missing piece of the puzzle will be filled in there.
-
> "I'm going to go look for Yukari. All of you take care~"
> Be looking only at Chen when you say this.
> Fly to Youkai Mountain, hoping that a missing piece of the puzzle will be filled in there.
|
>Chen ran off a few moments ago to check the Hakurei Shrine again.
>You take flight toward Youkai Mountain. The mountain is a large place, where will you be visiting? The Forest near it's foot, the kappa or tengu villages? The Moriya Shrine? The slopes themselves?
>_
-
> Head to tengu village first. They're the best place to find information. ...Theoretically.
-
> Head to tengu village first. They're the best place to find information. ...Theoretically.
>You make your way to the tengu village via flight. It's not a hard trip, since the coming of the Moriya Shrine has forced them not to be so tight with their borders and their airspace. However, you wonder if you'll ever get used to the shrine being there...
>You land on the outskirts of the tengu village. There are a few tengu flying about, dealing their daily business. You can see some buildings up ahead, multi-story affairs with balconies and landings for easy access by air. Obvious exits are east and west.
>_
-
> Contemplate if going to ask Aya for help would be a terrible mistake.
-
> Contemplate if going to ask Aya for help would be a terrible mistake.
>It will probably cost you some dignity. It always does with Aya.
>_
-
> ...Contemplate if we know any other Tengu we could ask.
> If not, contemplate if the loss of dignity will be worth it.
> ...If no to both those questions, just head to the Moriya Shrine.
-
> ...Contemplate if we know any other Tengu we could ask.
> If not, contemplate if the loss of dignity will be worth it.
> ...If no to both those questions, just head to the Moriya Shrine.
>You could always ask Momiji, or possibly seek out one of the other ones.
>You don't know if it'll be worth it. It depends on the quality of the information she has for you.
>_
-
>Do we have a tail rivalry with Momiji? This is important.
-
>Do we have a tail rivalry with Momiji? This is important.
>Not really. You hardly know her.
>_
-
>tail conditions
>inventory, item descriptions
-
>tail conditions
>inventory, item descriptions
>You tails are still a bit damp, and rather ratty.
>Your Inventory Contains
>Fox-ear Bonnet (Worn as Hat)
>A hat designed to accommodate your ears.
>Long-sleeved robe: (Worn as clothes)
>Your favorite robe; its sleeves are perfect for concealing your hands.
>Shikigami: Wizard Fox Thoughts
>It creates thick leafy danmaku that one must move very little to endure.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser
>An aimed burst of danmaku that leaves lasers in its wake.
>5 Ruined Spellcards
>These Spellcards have been ruined by water and are now useless.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Charming Siege from All Sides
>Entraps your foe on all sides, forcing the them backwards if they wish to survive.
>Shikigami's Shot: Unilateral Contact
>Sends out many shots, then has them rotate quickly.
>Illusion God: Descent of Izuna Gongen (Water damaged)
>A spellcard that starts simply, and slowly piles on more and more shots until there is hardly any space left.
>_
-
> Go and ask Momiji for help
-
> Go and ask Momiji for help
>You look around for a little bit, before you find Momiji relaxing near the edge of town, sharpening her sword. She nods politely to you.
>_
-
> "Hello Momiji. Do you think that you would have time to search for Yukari?"
> "You see, she's sleepwalking. I'm... Rather afraid of what would happen."
> "I... Apologize for just coming out of nowhere with this. I thought that I might ask a Tengu for help, but you were the only one I could really think of besides... Well... Aya."
-
> "Hello Momiji. Do you think that you would have time to search for Yukari?"
> "You see, she's sleepwalking. I'm... Rather afraid of what would happen."
> "I... Apologize for just coming out of nowhere with this. I thought that I might ask a Tengu for help, but you were the only one I could really think of besides... Well... Aya."
>You approach Momiji, and lay out the situation in a manner that causes her to flatten her ears for a moment.
>"I'd really prefer not to get tangled up with the likes of her," Momiji says with a frown, "I would say that Aya would be your best bet, but she's off covering that floating ship right now."
>She ponders for a moment, rubbing her chin. "Hm. I think I heard Hatate cackling over getting the scoop on something happening at the shrine earlier, much as that little cad can scoop anything. If Yukari's out causing trouble, that might be it."
>_
-
> "Well I had to ask, and I thought I should start with you since your help wouldn't cost me self-respect or anything of that sort."
> "If I ask Aya, she would likly sooner turn this into something to make news out of then help," look around to ensure Aya isn't nearby "and the last thing I want to see in the Bunbunmaru is something like "Youkai of Boundries on uncontrollable rampage"... Lady Yukari would kill me if she saw that in the news, no doubt about it. That or she would brutally kill Aya, then kill me."
-
> "Well I had to ask, and I thought I should start with you since your help wouldn't cost me self-respect or anything of that sort."
> "If I ask Aya, she would likly sooner turn this into something to make news out of then help," look around to ensure Aya isn't nearby "and the last thing I want to see in the Bunbunmaru is something like "Youkai of Boundries on uncontrollable rampage"... Lady Yukari would kill me if she saw that in the news, no doubt about it. That or she would brutally kill Aya, then kill me."
>"It's a good thing Aya's off covering the floating ship story, then." Says Momiji. She grins. "Though to be honest, she'll probably find out anyways."
>_
-
> "Then I'll have to come back and make sure that the paper mysteriously doesn't get printed. Not with such a story anyway."
> "...Would you happen to know where Hatate is? If she does know where Yukari is, I'd rather not just take my time searching for her."
-
> "Then I'll have to come back and make sure that the paper mysteriously doesn't get printed. Not with such a story anyway."
> "...Would you happen to know where Hatate is? If she does know where Yukari is, I'd rather not just take my time searching for her."
>"Hatate's a stale hack. Don't bother with her." says Momiji. "But if you're determined to waste your time, she lives on the south side of town, in a little one-floor house.
>_
-
>"Is there anything that's been happening up at the shrine, in the meantime?"
>Didn't Shou say she was looking for a lantern, while Yukari asked for a lamp? And she visited both Reimu and Marisa, apparently just before they left to check out the flying ship. So... is she trying to stop them, or help them?
-
>"Is there anything that's been happening up at the shrine, in the meantime?"
>Didn't Shou say she was looking for a lantern, while Yukari asked for a lamp? And she visited both Reimu and Marisa, apparently just before they left to check out the flying ship. So... is she trying to stop them, or help them?
>"It's been pretty peaceful, except for whatever hubbub there was this morning," says Momiji.
>You have no idea what her intentions are, but it does seem she's subconsciously up to something.
>_
-
> "Thank you for your time Momiji. I won't take up any more of it. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
> Is Hatate's house on the way to the Moriya Shrine?
> If so, head there.
> If not, head to Moriya Shrine first.
-
> "Thank you for your time Momiji. I won't take up any more of it. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
> Is Hatate's house on the way to the Moriya Shrine?
> If so, head there.
> If not, head to Moriya Shrine first.
>Not really, it's more or less a straight go through town to the Moriya Shrine.
>You head to the Shrine. It is, as always, a fairly impressive and well maintained wooden building, whose architecture is both archaic and clearly assembled with much love. You can see a pathway to the north, leading behind the shrine to a pond with several onbashira towering over it. The shrine's doors are presently closed, and there doesn't seem to be anyone around in the shrine yard. Obvious exits are North, East, and West.
>_
-
> Head into the shrine, looking for people.
-
> Head into the shrine, looking for people.
>You decide to enter the shrine.
>Sliding open the doors, you come to the front hall with another hall branching from it, and many doors. You also see Kanako at the far end of the main hall, regarding you with a frown.
>"You shouldn't trespass so freely," she says.
>_
-
> "I apologize if I disturbed you. I've been searching for Yukari, as she's sleepwalking, and I have been trying to obtain some clue as to her whereabouts."
> "Therefore, I must ask... Might you have heard or seen anything regarding her today?"
-
> "I apologize if I disturbed you. I've been searching for Yukari, as she's sleepwalking, and I have been trying to obtain some clue as to her whereabouts."
> "Therefore, I must ask... Might you have heard or seen anything regarding her today?"
>"Very well, I accept your apology," says Kanako. "And yes, Yukari was here earlier. She spoke with Sanae." She pauses for a moment. " Well, that's not quite true, she technically spoke with the wash basin as though it were Sanae, but Sanae was there to hear it."
>_
-
> "I see. Did Sanae say what Yukari about? If not, where is she, that I might ask?"
-
> "I see. Did Sanae say what Yukari about? If not, where is she, that I might ask?"
>"She did," says Kanako. "Yukari interested her in chasing after that ship that's been floating around, saying something to the nature that if the chief maid at the Scarlet Devil Mansion wasn't going to act, this was her chance to steal the spotlight from her and the Hakurei Maiden. Suwako and I gave her our blessings to go. As for where she is, I am not certain at the moment."
>_
-
> "I see. Thank you, I believe this information may be helpful. I shall not disturb you any longer."
> Hm... There is definitely a pattern here. And it revolves around that ship.
> Head to the flying ship again
-
> "I see. Thank you, I believe this information may be helpful. I shall not disturb you any longer."
> Hm... There is definitely a pattern here. And it revolves around that ship.
> Head to the flying ship again
>You say your thanks. Kanako nods. "Please knock when the door is close in the future."
>You leave, mulling over things. Unfortunately, you don't know where the flying ship is at the moment.
>Thankfully, that resolves itself rather quickly as you catch a glimpse of it flying eastward over the distant human village.
>You start to fly toward the ship, adjusting altitude as necessary to keep the lower atmospheric winds from playing too much hell with your flight path. As you make your way over the forest at the foot of the mountain, you hear a voice cry "BOO!" behind you.
>_
-
> Calmly turn toward the source of the voice.
> "I'm in a bit of a hurry. Do you need something?"
-
> Calmly turn toward the source of the voice.
> "I'm in a bit of a hurry. Do you need something?"
>You turn around to see Tenshi hovering a few yards from you, the Sword of Hisou in hand and grinning. She points at you. "You're gonna loot the ship before me? I don't think so! You're going down. You're going down hard."
>_
-
> "...It's you. I don't have time to play games. I'm looking for Yukari, and whatever she's been doing, it has something to do with this ship."
> Brace self for the idiot "angel's" attack anyway.
-
>try very hard not to panic
-
> "...It's you. I don't have time to play games. I'm looking for Yukari, and whatever she's been doing, it has something to do with this ship."
> Brace self for the idiot "angel's" attack anyway.
>"You think I'm gonna fall for that?" Tenshi says, then swoops toward you!
>Your preparations are not without reason. You swoop to the side as Tenshi tries to slash you. dodging cleanly
>try very hard not to panic
>It does take a little effort not to panic, but you are Ran Yakumo, and nothing to be trifled with yourself.
>_
-
> "Of course you'd never fall for the truth... Too stupid to recognize when something's not a lie and realize that not everyone is after such shallow things."
> Use kunai danmaku
-
> "Of course you'd never fall for the truth... Too stupid to recognize when something's not a lie and realize that not everyone is after such shallow things."
> Use kunai danmaku
>"Naw, I just figured out a long time ago Yukari's never up to any good, an-HEY!" Tenshi says with a smirk, before your danmaku forces her back and onto the defensive. "See?!" She cries, as she starts frantically weave them them as best she can. You can tell she's already off balance; she must not be very good at dodging.
>_
-
> "Surrender and the danmaku stops. I assure you, I am not attempting to play any sort of trick, as you seem to suspect."
> Until that happens, or the battle ends in some other way, feel completely awesome as this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6-UlSDUyZA) song plays in our head.
-
> "Surrender and the danmaku stops. I assure you, I am not attempting to play any sort of trick, as you seem to suspect."
> Until that happens, or the battle ends in some other way, feel completely awesome as this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6-UlSDUyZA) song plays in our head.
>"I didn't go into debt to Iku just to give up to you!" Tenshi shouts, and she draws out a spellcard. "Temperment: High Spirited Sword!"
>Oh hell the air is suddenly full of huge red bullets!
>_
-
>keep tabs on what style of dodging she seems to prefer (to see if Wizard Fox Thoughts would school her to death)
>mental note: Tenshi relying on manipulation of earth for combat may mean she's weaker up here. And that it could be worth 'looking out below' in case she tries to force it into relevance. At least the rocks have further to go to get here.
>try to get somewhere with a little space and figure out how the card operates
>have Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser ready as an all-around starter
>how effective will Izuna Gongen be waterlogged?
-
>keep tabs on what style of dodging she seems to prefer (to see if Wizard Fox Thoughts would school her to death)
>mental note: Tenshi relying on manipulation of earth for combat may mean she's weaker up here. And that it could be worth 'looking out below' in case she tries to force it into relevance. At least the rocks have further to go to get here.
>try to get somewhere with a little space and figure out how the card operates
>have Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser ready as an all-around starter
>how effective will Izuna Gongen be waterlogged?
>Given how frantically she's moving, you get the feeling it'd certainly give her a hard time.
>You back away from Tenshi, but the red shots are moving significantly faster than you can! One of them slams into your stomach painfully. Tenshi cackles and seems to be charging another wave; as a number of red shots are left slowly moving through the sky in the larger bullets' wake. She's certainly got the power aspect down.
>You don't know what being damaged will do to the spellcard. You expect, however, that it won't survive the use.
>_
-
>are they easy enough to repair from water damage that it'd make a difference whether it got destroyed or not?
>fox thoughts, get some distance - don't forget about up and down as escape options
-
>get some distance
> Make that double. We're at our best in artillery range, what with most of our spellcards being homing.
-
>are they easy enough to repair from water damage that it'd make a difference whether it got destroyed or not?
>fox thoughts, get some distance - don't forget about up and down as escape options
>You cannot repair a destroyed spellcard.
>You move away from her, not making the mistake of a forgetting the third dimension. Then you draw and declare Shikigami: Wizard Fox Thoughts.
>The air before Tenshi explodes into green danmaku. Her card is quickly broken as one of the shots strikes her. She cries out in frustration and tries to dodge. You can't hide your grin, and she slams into another shot, and then another.
> Make that double. We're at our best in artillery range, what with most of our spellcards being homing.
>You keep your distance, moving to and fro, keeping the Danmaku flying as Tenshi tries futile to dodge, then to get close to you and attack with her sword. Finally, tears in her eyes, she turns and shouts "You suck! I hate you forever! I hope you break your toe on the treasure! Then she flees.
>_
-
> Self-indulgent victory pose!
-
>watch out for flying swords/rocks
>check back on where the ship's gone in the meantime
-
> Self-indulgent victory pose!
>You cross your arms and allow yourself a self-satisfied chuckle. Looks like she only followed the "Danmaku is Power" philosophy without adding in the "Shoot and I'll move" aspect.
>watch out for flying swords/rocks
>check back on where the ship's gone in the meantime
>Thankfully, it doesn't seem like Tenshi is interested in any sort of backstabbing, given how fast she's running off. But you stay wary, regardless.
>The ship is continuing further eastward. If you were simply trying to chase it, this would be a significant problem. But you've been trying to intersect with it, so it just means you need to hurry.
>_
-
> Continue interception of the ship.
-
> Continue interception of the ship.
>You have to hustle a bit more than you like, but you are able to intercept the ship. The faeries move to attack, shouting "Motherland!" and "Poke 'er in the eye!", but the hooded Youkai, Ichirin if you recall what Shou said, notices you and calls off before anything untoward can happen.
>"Welcome back!" she says. "Murasa said your friend appeared below decks a little while ago."
>_
-
> "She did? Oh for the love of... where was she?"
-
> "She did? Oh for the love of... where was she?"
>"I just said, she was below decks," replies Ichirin. "If you like, you can ask Murasa for more details."
>She gestures toward the ship's cabin.
>_
-
> "So you don't know where she was "below deck" then? Oh well."
> "Thank you, wait, is she still here? I need to retrieve her ASAP."
-
> "So you don't know where she was "below deck" then? Oh well."
> "Thank you, wait, is she still here? I need to retrieve her ASAP."
>"I don't think so," says Ichirin, "Unless she's come back."
>_
-
> Go to ask Murasa for details
-
> Go to ask Murasa for details
>You go belowdecks.
>Inside, you find the ship is largely a single hold. Faeries whiz about to and fro, crying "Yoho!" and "Arrrr!".You hear some maniacal laughter echoing from the fore of the ship.
>"Keep her steady, me ladies!" cries the person who laughed, "This day we sail the seas o' the very edge o' the world, and make war upon the shores o' hell itself! And let not a jack among ye say ye weren't warned!"
>"Aye aye!" shout the faeries as once.
>_
-
> "Aye, be you Captain Murasa?"
> Avoid laughing at immitating her pirate talk.
-
> "Aye, be you Captain Murasa?"
> Avoid laughing at immitating her pirate talk.
>"Who's there!" cries the voice. As you get a better view through the faeries, you can see a youkai dressed as sailor. "Make yerself know lest I give yer backside such an anchoring they'll give ye nicknames for it!"
>_
-
> "My name is Ran Yakumo. Ichirin said that you had seen my master, and I wished to ask if she told you anything, as I am trying to find her."
-
> "My name is Ran Yakumo. Ichirin said that you had seen my master, and I wished to ask if she told you anything, as I am trying to find her."
>"You mean that woman that came in stark naked from the middle of nowhere?" Murasa asks, as she waves you over to join her. "Ichirin said someone was looking for her."
>_
-
> "Yes, that would be me searching for her. Do you know where in the ship she was, or anything at all she may have said? I'm afraid she is sleep-walking and just so happens to be one of the most powerful beings within Gensokyo. I'm sure you know the problems with anyone who is sleepwalking, merely take that and apply it to someone who, in terms of sheer actual power, is completly unmatched."
-
> "Yes, that would be me searching for her. Do you know where in the ship she was, or anything at all she may have said? I'm afraid she is sleep-walking and just so happens to be one of the most powerful beings within Gensokyo. I'm sure you know the problems with anyone who is sleepwalking, merely take that and apply it to someone who, in terms of sheer actual power, is completly unmatched."
>Murasa makes a curious expression. "We'll deal that unmatched bit shortly enough. But sleeping walking you say? That's no good for someone like that. She did sorta talk at me. Said to make sure I had all the treasures before we set out for Makai. Nothing we didn't already know. When I told her we were missing a couple, she opened this sorta hole thing and said she'd handle it. I'm guessin' she's looking for the jeweled pagoda or maybe the flying arc. Either way, I barely knew what to do about her."
>_
-
> "Any clues about where she went?"
> "Wait, of the items your gathering, by any chance was one of them a Lantern or something similar?"
> Would Makai be warm?
-
> "Any clues about where she went?"
> "Wait, of the items your gathering, by any chance was one of them a Lantern or something similar?"
> Would Makai be warm?
>"Well, I told her we had Nazrin and Shou looking the for artifacts, so maybe she's after them?"
>"Kinda. It looks a little like one if you don't know any better."
>Makai has a wide range of weather, pretty much anything you can expect in Gensokyo, and a lot more.
>_
-
> "Do you have any idea where Nazrin and Shou might be?
> Actually... Didn't we see Shou at the hot spring?
-
> "Do you have any idea where Nazrin and Shou might be?
> Actually... Didn't we see Shou at the hot spring?
>"Probably going through any place they think the pagoda is hidden at."
>You most certainly did; she was taking a break.
>_
-
>wonder if Yukari is actually sleepwalking or if it's an act to cover her tracks in searching for the artifacts
>More importantly, if she's helping, then these guys are probably legit about Byakuren's intentions... right?
>"Then I guess this all makes for another reason for me to look for them, as well. Ichirin told me that the holy... well, one of the other artifacts was somehow broken up into a lot of small, floating toys of some sort. Do you know a more specific description?"
-
>wonder if Yukari is actually sleepwalking or if it's an act to cover her tracks in searching for the artifacts
>More importantly, if she's helping, then these guys are probably legit about Byakuren's intentions... right?
>"Then I guess this all makes for another reason for me to look for them, as well. Ichirin told me that the holy... well, one of the other artifacts was somehow broken up into a lot of small, floating toys of some sort. Do you know a more specific description?"
>If this really is an act, you're going to have some words for her... But at the same time, she did seem genuinely out of it for that brief moment you encountered her. That could have been an act, she can certainly put on a good act when she wants to.
>That is a particularly nice possibility. You could think of worse ones.
>"There's some sort of curse on them," says Murasa, "Near as I can tell, anyways. Keeps them from looking like they're supposed to. But you can tell it's them pretty easily, because they fly."
>_
-
> "So flying objects, do they have any other describing features? Color, size, anything?"
-
> "So flying objects, do they have any other describing features? Color, size, anything?"
>"Uh, I've heard they tend to be mostly one color," says Murasa. "Better to ask Nazrin about that, she's the one that saw 'em; but they got away from her. They're not that big, I don't think."
>_
-
> "Would you happen to know where Nazrin is then?"
> "Thank you very much Captain Murasa. If Hijiri is as kind as I have heard, then I wish you and your crew safe sailing and good luck in your quest to free Hijiri."
-
> "Would you happen to know where Nazrin is then?"
> "Thank you very much Captain Murasa. If Hijiri is as kind as I have heard, then I wish you and your crew safe sailing and good luck in your quest to free Hijiri."
>"Last I heard, she was going to look into that mansion around the lake," says Murasa.
>She smiles as you wish her well. "It's good to hear people care," she says.
>_
-
>give her a warm smile
>"I'll admit I had my doubts - maybe sounding a bit too good to be true, and surprising it didn't arise until now... but you do seem to be sincere about Hijiri, and if Yukari is willing to trust you, so should I."
>give her a little bow
>"That said, I think I'll go see if I can find Nazrin. The Scarlet Devil Mansion can be... a little dangerous. I'll see what I can do if there's any trouble there."
>"... ah, though it would probably help to know what she looks like."
-
>give her a warm smile
>"I'll admit I had my doubts - maybe sounding a bit too good to be true, and surprising it didn't arise until now... but you do seem to be sincere about Hijiri, and if Yukari is willing to trust you, so should I."
>give her a little bow
>"That said, I think I'll go see if I can find Nazrin. The Scarlet Devil Mansion can be... a little dangerous. I'll see what I can do if there's any trouble there."
>"... ah, though it would probably help to know what she looks like."
>You say some kind words, and bow to Murasa. "Things really have changed, haven't they?" She murmurs.
>"Oh, Nazrin, she's a little mouse youkai," Murasa holds a hand at about chest level for emphasis. "Always has dowsing rods. She's kinda sketchy, but she means well."
>_
-
>resist bemused smirk at the irony(?) of an ACTUAL rat trying to break into the SDM
>nod
>"Then I hope the librarian's rat-catchers haven't given her too much grief."
>"I should be on my way."
>head out for the SDM, barring any significant interruptions or distractions
-
>"Good luck!" Says Murasa.
>You make your way out of the ship's interior, as Murasa begins to shout again, "Ye blaggards think ye can sail this ship? ha! Every last one of ye were at yer mother's tit til you five and twenty years old, or I'm a striped hen!..."
>You leave the ship, as Ichirin waves, and find it is flying over the Forest of Magic again, making it a relatively short trip to Scarlet Devil Mansion.
>drawing close to the grounds, you can see a umber of the faerie maids running around grounds, carrying various blunt objects and raising quite a clamor. You also notice the gatekeeper seems to be involved in some sort of strange frantic dance.
>_
-
> Approach the gatekeeper and ask what's going on? Introduce ourselves if she doesn't knwo who we are.
-
> Approach the gatekeeper and ask what's going on? Introduce ourselves if she doesn't knwo who we are.
>You approach the gatekeeper. You're familiar with Hong Meiling, and know she has at least a passing familiarity with you, even though the two of you aren't really acquaintances.
>Drawing closer to her, you can see that her frantic dance seems to be less of a dance and more her dodging away and shrieking from a half dozen or so mice running and leaping around her. Periodically one manages to get on her before she shakes it off.
>_
-
> "Wh-what the heck is going on here Meiling!?"
-
> "Wh-what the heck is going on here Meiling!?"
>"Mice!" she cries, and she desperately shakes another one off her clothes.
>_
-
> "Did you see a big one come through? When I say big, I mean a Youkai version. I need to find her."
-
> "Did you see a big one come through? When I say big, I mean a Youkai version. I need to find her."
>"I don't know!" she cries. "Just get 'em away from me!"
>_
-
> Danmaku will be dangerous, but we are a fox. While we're not as used to hunting small animals as Chen might be, we can certainly give it a shot.
> "Sure thing! Hold still, would you?" Having the benefit of them not crawling on us yet, start plucking them off Meiling and since we don't have any container, tossing them underhand away from the mansion, into the grass.
> They'll survive, since they're light and we aren't flinging them.
-
> Danmaku will be dangerous, but we are a fox. While we're not as used to hunting small animals as Chen might be, we can certainly give it a shot.
> "Sure thing! Hold still, would you?" Having the benefit of them not crawling on us yet, start plucking them off Meiling and since we don't have any container, tossing them underhand away from the mansion, into the grass.
> They'll survive, since they're light and we aren't flinging them.
>You tell Meiling to stand still. She does, whimpering when the mice charge her. You deftly pluck a few off and lightly toss them away before the rest seem to realize the situation and scatter.
>Meiling falls to her knees, panting. "Oh thank heaven... I hate things crawling on me...you, you don't even know..."
>_
-
>briefly wonder how this fear implanted itself in Meiling's psyche
>"Are you alright? I came to try and find the mouse youkai I mentioned. I'm guessing she's here, after seeing that. May I go look?"
-
>briefly wonder how this fear implanted itself in Meiling's psyche
>"Are you alright? I came to try and find the mouse youkai I mentioned. I'm guessing she's here, after seeing that. May I go look?"
>You cannot imagine. Maybe she fell into a termite mound as a kid?
>"Yeah, I think so..." says Meiling, as she stands up and straightens her clothes. "I don't know about any mouse youkai, but there are hundreds of mice infesting the mansion all of a sudden! If you think you know something about it, I suppose I can let you in for the emergency. Just don't steal anything, okay?"
>_
-
> "Don't worry, I would never think to do something so lowly as stealing. I'm not that black-white witch."
-
> "Don't worry, I would never think to do something so lowly as stealing. I'm not that black-white witch."
>"Good, good," says Meiling, as she opens the gate. "And, um, if you could keep the whole mouse thing a secret, I'd really appreciate it..."
>_
-
>"Your secret is safe with me."
>safe enough, at least.
>thank her and head in, try not to look too threatening in case Sakuya shows up
-
>"Your secret is safe with me."
>safe enough, at least.
>thank her and head in, try not to look too threatening in case Sakuya shows up
>"Thanks, you're a pal."
>You make your way into the mansion grounds. Up ahead you can see the doors of the mansion, one is currently ajar. To the west, you can see a old water fountain, which is not working. To the east is a statue garden. You can see a few dozen mice scurrying around, and a handful of faerie maids with various instruments chasing them about and raising a ruckus. Obvious exits are North, East, West, and South.
>_
-
>
rape fairy maid
>peek into the door
-
>rape fairy maid
>peek into the door
>You got shanked. Go directly to Higan. Do not pass the Hakurei Shrine, do not collect any talismans
>You peek into the door, as a mouse runs by your feet inside, and see a scene similar to the one outside. Mice are running about everywhere, and a handful of maids are chasing them around and being loud and raucous in general. You see the entry hall is a gallery of some kind.
>_
-
> Help the maids the way we helped Meiling, grab da mice and unda-hand em :P
-
> Help the maids the way we helped Meiling, grab da mice and unda-hand em :P
>You prepare to help out the maids, but it doesn't seem like they are being assaulted as Meiling was. Instead, they're too busy being chased, or simply scurrying about when the maids aren't paying them any attention. Unfortunately, scurrying mice are harder to deal with than ones making concentrated efforts to hassle someone.
>_
-
> "Hello ladies, have any of you seen a Mouse Youkai?"
-
> "Hello ladies, have any of you seen a Mouse Youkai?"
>They seem to be a little too busy to really ackonowledge you. Once looks in your direct, before going back to chasing a mouse with what seems to be a hatbox.
>_
-
>useless maids.
>Anyone Ran has decently favorable relations at the SDM? Head to their usual place, if anyone comes to mind.
>regardless, tread carefully, the head maid can be a little scary even if the scrubs are harmless
-
>useless maids.
>Anyone Ran has decently favorable relations at the SDM? Head to their usual place, if anyone comes to mind.
>regardless, tread carefully, the head maid can be a little scary even if the scrubs are harmless
>You have had encounters with the head maid before, both on your own and assisting Yukari. As well, you've had some passing encounters with Remilia while assisting Yukari, though she didn't really pay attention to you. You've met the others during the party Remilia had before she tried to invade the moon. Sakuya is easily the one you know best. You have no idea where any of them would be.
>You tread carefully, but where will you be treading?
>_
-
> Head for the kitchen.
-
> Head for the kitchen.
>Your experiences following Yukari have given you a very rough idea of the mansion's layout. You enter the foyer, and head down the western hallway.
>Up ahead, you see the doors leading to what you think is the Kitchen. Suddenly, about two dozen mice appear out of thin air in front of the door. They scramble around, apparently confused, before rushing off in every direction.
>A few moments later, another ten or so mice materialize in front of the door, with much the same reaction as before.
>_
-
> Head into the kitchen.
-
> Head into the kitchen.
>You enter the kitchen, and see Sakuya guarding a door on the north wall, carrying an empty laundry basket. The kitchen itself is in surprisingly good condition, given the circumstances. You expected to see pots and pans all over the place and a general mess, but things seem to be in rather good order; though there doesn't seem to be that many pots around. There are mice scurrying around, Sakuya seems to be watching them closely. "If you've come to gloat," She says, "please call the mice off first, so I may give you a proper reply."
>_
-
> "Well I was actually looking for a mouse youkai thats supposed to be somewhere in the mansion."
-
> "Well I was actually looking for a mouse youkai thats supposed to be somewhere in the mansion."
>"I suppose this would be a strange tactic for you."
>Suddenly all the mice around you disappear, and Sakuya has shifted a foot to the left of where she was standing.
>"I've seen no mouse youkai," she says. "But, I've been doing my best to defend the pantry."
>_
-
> "I see. How are the other areas of the mansion fairing?"
-
> "I see. How are the other areas of the mansion fairing?"
>"I've not been able to get away and find out," says Sakuya, watching as more mice stream in. "I imagine the Young Mistress is safe, she should be sleeping right now, and the basement is quite secure. As for the rest, I don't know. I've been trying to keep the pantry safe; I can't imagine they would be focusing as much attention elsewhere."
>_
-
> "Well, she seems to be after an object of sorts, something rare, possibly one-of-a-kind, and with all these mice here, I bet she's somewhere within the mansion looking for... whatever the object is."
-
> "Well, she seems to be after an object of sorts, something rare, possibly one-of-a-kind, and with all these mice here, I bet she's somewhere within the mansion looking for... whatever the object is."
>"We do have our share of unique things," says Sakuya, "Be a dear and go knock the consciousness out of her, then knock sense into her?"
>_
-
> "Will do, but as is, she may have to take the object shes after if this situation is going to end soon without any more mice problems."
> "Where are some of these unique items kept, because she is likly heading for them to get what she's after."
-
> "Will do, but as is, she may have to take the object shes after if this situation is going to end soon without any more mice problems."
> "Where are some of these unique items kept, because she is likly heading for them to get what she's after."
>"We have a couple galleries in this wing, and one in the South Wing," says Sakuya. "And quite frankly, she and her mice can rot in hell before I let her have anything!"
>_
-
>"At the very least she could stand to learn not to make such an invasive investigation..."
>decide against sharing what Nazrin's looking for for the moment, tempers need to cool
>thank Sakuya, head out to find those galleries and look around for any lantern/solid-colored toys in the area
-
>"At the very least she could stand to learn not to make such an invasive investigation..."
>decide against sharing what Nazrin's looking for for the moment, tempers need to cool
>thank Sakuya, head out to find those galleries and look around for any lantern/solid-colored toys in the area
>"Quite," Sakuya agrees.
>You decide to keep the specifics of Nazrin's search to yourself.
>"The hand is appreciated," Sakuya says, as you bid her goodbye, then depart.
>You are pretty sure you know where the two South Wing galleries are, you passed two sets of double doors along the way.
>_
-
> Head for the first set of double doors.
-
> Head for the first set of double doors.
>You make your way toward the nearest set of double doors, dodging around a few scurrying mice. Opening them, you find an expansive gallery with a high ceiling, filled with tastefully displayed artworks of all sorts. Paintings, statues, and craft works of all kinds line the walls and rest upon podiums positioned wherever there is space. Large stained glass windows set fairly high in the walls allow natural light to brighten the place. There are no mice here that you can see, but you do see a small youkai with mouse ears near the far right corner. Obvious exits are South
>The youkai looks toward you as you enter. "Eep," she says.
>_
-
> "Well that was easy."
-
>"Back off!" says the mouse youkai, "I will ruin these paintings so bad! You don't even know!"
>_
-
>"Nazrin, you could have been more subtle about searching for that lamp and toys I've heard about from Hijiri's followers."
-
> "Well I don't exactly live here, and either way I was told by Murasa that you would be around here."
-
>"Nazrin, you could have been more subtle about searching for that lamp and toys I've heard about from Hijiri's followers."
>"Wait," Nazrin narrows her eyes. "how do you know my name?"
> "Well I don't exactly live here, and either way I was told by Murasa that you would be around here."
>Her eyes widen. "You were on the ship?" she grins. "Great! Go cause a distraction or something, I think I've found it! I just gotta be sure they haven't booby trapped it."
>_
-
>wonder whether the Scarlets would have considered trading for such a thing if Nazrin hadn't been a dick about trying to get it
>"Where is 'it,' exactly? And what, the lamp or one of those toys?"
>"... and what do the 'toys' look like, anyway? Murasa said you were the one that's actually seen them."
-
>wonder whether the Scarlets would have considered trading for such a thing if Nazrin hadn't been a dick about trying to get it
>"Where is 'it,' exactly? And what, the lamp or one of those toys?"
>"... and what do the 'toys' look like, anyway? Murasa said you were the one that's actually seen them."
>You don't know. There are times when they can be legendarily greedy or tightfisted, but you don't know if anyone has ever tried to purchase something from their galleries.
>She points to a simple-looking lamp sitting on a podium.
>"I saw them as toy birds," says Nazrin. "I think it's different for different people. Hey, should we be talking about this here?"
>_
-
> "...That's it? Really?"
> "And no, we probably shouldn't be stopping to talk here. Of course, we also shouldn't be turning the Scarlet Devil Mansion into our enemies, but for now, that seems to be what's happening. Or you are. I could claim to have fought you and then you got away."
> Feel amazed at how we got into this situation.
-
> "...That's it? Really?"
> "And no, we probably shouldn't be stopping to talk here. Of course, we also shouldn't be turning the Scarlet Devil Mansion into our enemies, but for now, that seems to be what's happening. Or you are. I could claim to have fought you and then you got away."
> Feel amazed at how we got into this situation.
>"Taking a fall for me isn't gonna help much at this point," says Nazrin. "Besides, if I played my cards right, they don't even know-"
>You hear the sound of a gap opening.
>"-Who the hell?" Nazrin finishes, grimacing.
>_
-
> "...I shouldn't even be surprised at this point."
> Turn toward the gap.
> "Hello Yukari."
-
> "...I shouldn't even be surprised at this point."
> Turn toward the gap.
> "Hello Yukari."
>You turn around, and see Yukari, more or less as she was last time, before she shambles past you.
>"Found y'lamp," she mumbles, extending an empty hand toward Nazrin.
>"Um...uh..." says Nazrin. "...hey, are you asleep or something? Wake up!"
>_
-
> Interrupt Nazrin.
> "Yes, she is asleep. No, you don't want to be near her if she's startled when woken, given her level of power."
> Look toward Yukari again.
> "Could you tell me what you're doing? Or can you even hear me?"
-
> Interrupt Nazrin.
> "Yes, she is asleep. No, you don't want to be near her if she's startled when woken, given her level of power."
> Look toward Yukari again.
> "Could you tell me what you're doing? Or can you even hear me?"
>"Uh, okay?" says Nazrin, grimacing and backing away from the two of you.
>"Raaaan?" Yukari says, lolling her head somewhat in your direction. "Whacha doin here, follow's me?"
>_
-
> "It's a bit closer to attempting to search and then you come out of nowhere to meet me. But I suppose you could call it following if you wished. Are you sure you don't want to go home and lie down?"
-
> "It's a bit closer to attempting to search and then you come out of nowhere to meet me. But I suppose you could call it following if you wished. Are you sure you don't want to go home and lie down?"
>"Heeee," Yukari says. Then she sways, and starts to lose her balance.
>_
-
> Catch her.
> Pray to some God that she doesn't startle herself awake.
-
> Catch her.
> Pray to some God that she doesn't startle herself awake.
>You move to catch Yukari, praying to the first deity that comes to mind; Shizuha.
>It's not hard to catch her, and thankfully she falls softly enough that it doesn't seem to jar her awake. "Stop tiltin' th' world," Yukari mutters, as she snuggles up against you, "s'cheatin'"
>As you secure Yukari, you notice Nazrin hooking the jeweled pagoda with one of her dowsing rods. "Yoink!" she says with a grin.
>_
-
> "Come on. Let's go home."
> Begin guiding Yukari out of the mansion.
-
> "Come on. Let's go home."
> Begin guiding Yukari out of the mansion.
>You suggest that the two of you go home. You're not sure if counts as an answer, but you feel the world fall out from under you, and the gallery is replaced by strange energies and monstrous, staring eyes.
>.A moment later, the two of you stumble from a gap into someplace dark. You feel bare earth crunching beneath your feet.
>_
-
> "Crap."
> Try to light the place up with a bit of danmaku.
-
> "Crap."
> Try to light the place up with a bit of danmaku.
>You summarize your feelings in a single, pithy word.
>You consider some danmaku to light things up if needs be, but you don't think it will be necessary. Your eyes are starting to adjust to the gloom
>You and Yukari are standing in the middle of an empty field. Sparse patches of tough-looking grass, scrub brush, and sizable rocks rocks dot the otherwise bare and parched soil. The sky overhead is a sort of dull red color, with occasional patches of brighter red that sort of remind you of clouds.
>_
-
> "Are we... Inside the gap?"
-
> "Are we... Inside the gap?"
>Yukari doesn't answer, she just leans against you more heavily.
>Looking around, you don't think this is a gap. You've been through them quite a few times with Yukari, and they tend to have more eyes and wilder colors. That being said, while you think you might be able to rule out being in a gap, you really can't say more than that, other than you are hopelessly lost.
>_
-
> ...Ponder if there might be a way to wake Yukari up without actually startling her in such a way that her power will make things more difficult. Or catastrophic.
-
> ...Ponder if there might be a way to wake Yukari up without actually startling her in such a way that her power will make things more difficult. Or catastrophic.
>It's possible. It's also possible to fall off a building and not be severely hurt. Unfortunately, it's not really one of those things you can plan for, it just happens. And whatever happens, you'd be pretty close to it.
>However, now that you have her, you might be able to make it more difficult for her to move around, and possible allow her to settle back into proper sleep.
>_
-
> "...Well, this is a rather... Interesting substitute for home."
> Try and figure out just how we will restrict her movement and guide her back into normal sleep.
> Hope that she doesn't gap without us and leave us stranded here
-
> "...Well, this is a rather... Interesting substitute for home."
> Try and figure out just how we will restrict her movement and guide her back into normal sleep.
> Hope that she doesn't gap without us and leave us stranded here
>"Mrph," Yukari mutters. You don't think it's proper response, but it seems to underscore things nicely.
>It shouldn't be hard to carry her. Yukari is tall and a bit meaty, but you're quite strong enough to lift her without too much trouble.
>As long as you stay close to her, you should be able to follow through them.
>_
-
> Pick her up and carry her
> Meanwhile, walk around, looking for... Anything that isn't barren, freaky wasteland
-
> Pick her up and carry her
> Meanwhile, walk around, looking for... Anything that isn't barren, freaky wasteland
>You gently hook your left arm behind Yukari's knees, and your right around her back, and lift her off the ground. She snuggles against you, murmuring some nonsense noise.
>You start to rove around, trying to get some sort of bearing on this place. Soon, you see an old wooden fence in the distance, running along what seems to be an old dirt road. You aren't sure what direction the road goes, and arbitrarily label them east and west.
>_
-
> Go "east"
-
> Go "east"
>You reach the road, and head to the east.
>The road is not in very good condition, parts of it are overgrown, and a few rocks have been exposed here and there. Traveling on, you note some animals in the distance, past the fence. You can't see them too well, but they look something like goats. You think you can also see a house in the middle of the field as well. Up ahead, you see what looks like the outskirts of a village.
>_
-
> Head into village
-
> Head into village
>You continue on toward the village.
>Drawing closer, you can see it's a rather ramshackle place with a handful of old shacks. You doubt any of these buildings have seen any kind of maintenance for decades. You see what looks something like a faerie with bone-white skin and strange red wings, sitting on an old barrel at the end of town, cleaning her fingernails with a stiletto. She notices you and gives a toothy grin.
>_
-
> Try and find a place to "dress" Yukari if she is still in her "birthday suit."
-
> Try and find a place to "dress" Yukari if she is still in her "birthday suit."
>She is, and you lack anything to cover her with. It would be difficult to do and not wake her.
>_
-
> Talk to fairy
> "Is there anywhere that I can set down this person here to rest?
-
> Talk to fairy
> "Is there anywhere that I can set down this person here to rest?
>"The two of you looking for a place to rest for awhile, eh?" she asks through a smirk. Then she gestures at Yukari with the stiletto. "Or many she doesn't get a say in the issue?"
>_
-
> "I'm waiting for her to wake up, since if I startle her too badly in trying to do so myself, the consequences could be disastrous. She... Doesn't seem to be fully aware of her surroundings, so I suppose that she doesn't have a say, no. But once she wakes up, I don't expect to be staying much longer."
-
> "I'm waiting for her to wake up, since if I startle her too badly in trying to do so myself, the consequences could be disastrous. She... Doesn't seem to be fully aware of her surroundings, so I suppose that she doesn't have a say, no. But once she wakes up, I don't expect to be staying much longer."
>You try to lay out your situation in as clear of a manner as you can. You try to overlook that waiting for Yukari to wake up can take quite awhile. The faerie cackles. "That how it is, is then then? S'lot jumping around, isn't it? Well, there's a bed at the pub, if you got enough spades for it." She gestures with the stiletto toward one of the buildings. "Ought be right enough to have your fun."
>_
-
> "Hmm, can I assume the pub is rather lively?"
> "I have two questions for you. First of all, may I ask your name?"
> "Second of all, where is this place?"
-
> "Hmm, can I assume the pub is rather lively?"
> "I have two questions for you. First of all, may I ask your name?"
> "Second of all, where is this place?"
>"Naw," says the faerie, "But you'll have t' keep her quiet yourself. Mind you, no one's gonna butt in. But some might light listenin'." She smirks.
>"You could ask," says the faerie, "Might even tell you for a couple of spades."
>_
-
Just in case it isn't clear to anyone, it seems we've been stranded in Makai and apparently the skeleton fairy is wondering if we're planning to rape Yukari.
You may have a moment to recover.
>"How many 'spades' are we talking, here?"
-
>"How many 'spades' are we talking, here?"
>"A fiver will do," says the Faerie, twirling her stiletto between her fingers.
>_
-
>does this location remotely resemble the human village?
>"Hmmm... I'll consider it. Though I think I could stand to take a look around, first."
-
>does this location remotely resemble the human village?
>"Hmmm... I'll consider it. Though I think I could stand to take a look around, first."
>"I'll knock it down to three."
>Not really. The human village is designed better. This is built more along the lines of putting a building wherever one feels like it.
>_
-
>Do we even have "spades", or is it just slang for yen?
>If we're able to pay, just do it.
-
>Do we even have "spades", or is it just slang for yen?
>If we're able to pay, just do it.
>You have only your own guesses as to what spades are. You are, however, broke. You gave your last few ☼ to that green-haired youkai beggar.
>_
-
> "...It seems I have no money."
> Wonder what to do now.
-
> "...It seems I have no money."
> Wonder what to do now.
>"Welp," says the faerie, as she returns to cleaning her nails, "Good luck with that."
>While you have your theories on where you are, the presence of faeries suggests that it's not too far removed from Gensokyo. It should be possible to return without Yukari's abilities, should you not want to wait for the time it would take for her to wake up.
>_
-
> "...Where are we, by the way? Where is this place? We were in Gensokyo before... And how might we return?"
-
> "...Where are we, by the way? Where is this place? We were in Gensokyo before... And how might we return?"
>"Five spades," the faerie says, not bothering to stop cleaning her nails.
>_
-
> Resist temptation to set Yukari down and teach this fairy a lesson using some danmaku. Since that would risk waking Yukari.
> Try to search for someone else that might be able to help, instead of dealing with... This.
-
> Resist temptation to set Yukari down and teach this fairy a lesson using some danmaku. Since that would risk waking Yukari.
> Try to search for someone else that might be able to help, instead of dealing with... This.
>You never get this kind of sass mouth back home, that's for sure!
>You look around. You can see a couple of other faeries and youkai, going about their business. They don't really to give you much better of a feeling than the faerie with the stiletto does.
>_
-
> "Great..."
> Try to think about what to do now. Would heading down the road in the other direction be a good idea? ...Or at least, would it be any worse than other options we have right now?
-
>if any of them are talking with one another, try to overhear a conversation or two
>failing that, consider whether it'd be worth taking flight for a little bit to get a broader look around
-
>if any of them are talking with one another, try to overhear a conversation or two
>failing that, consider whether it'd be worth taking flight for a little bit to get a broader look around
>You see a couple of Youkai talking to each other outside the place that the faerie called a pub. They are a little far away to hear, but given the occasional glance in your direction, you think they are talking about you.
>You can't see the harm in learning more about the layout of the land. But at the same time, it would make you stand out even more than you already are, which may not be beneficial.
>_
-
>are there any other landmarks visible on the horizon, so to speak?
-
>are there any other landmarks visible on the horizon, so to speak?
>You look around, trying to see if there is anything else of interest. There are some mountains to the west. Further east, things seem to get darker. To the north and south, it seems to be more fields; both empty ones and ones that seem to be cultivated for one use or another.
>_
-
> Head down road the way we came, and keep going until we find something
-
> Head down road the way we came, and keep going until we find something
>You decide to leave the village, and head west.
>Walking along the fence line again, near where you saw the goats, you hear a piercing whistle, some distance away.
>_
-
> Investigate
-
> Investigate
>You look toward the whistling.
>In the field, you see a blonde woman in red herding the goats, which seems to involve a fair deal of whistling, cajoling, and use of a stick.
>_
-
Who...?
>a lone encounter might fare better, but best remain careful
>approach the herding, but don't try and confront her
-
>a lone encounter might fare better, but best remain careful
>approach the herding, but don't try and confront her
>You fly over the fence, and approach the goatherder.
>As you approach, you can see her red clothes are more of a red and white maid's outfit, complete with the hair band. It's not in very good condition. Her hair is blonde and wavy, rather like Yukari's when she lets it down, if shorter.
>She notices your approach, and shouts, "What're you doing on my land!"
>_
-
> "I'm sorry, I was trying to find a way out of this place when I heard your whistling, so I thought I might be able to ask you a few questions. I mean no harm whatso ever."
> Land on the ground gently, while trying to look non-threatening.
-
> "I'm sorry, I was trying to find a way out of this place when I heard your whistling, so I thought I might be able to ask you a few questions. I mean no harm whatso ever."
> Land on the ground gently, while trying to look non-threatening.
>The woman in maid's clothes gives you an appraising look. "Fine, fine," she mutters. "What do you-HEY!" She whacks one of the goats that was trying to walk off with her stick.
>_
-
> "First things first, my name is Ran. Ran Yakumo." Only say that last bit if the Yakumo's aren't hated/disliked within Makai/whatever the name of the place we are in is called.(Doesn't Makai mean sumthin like Demon World?)
> "Well for one, do you know where this place is? I'm not exactly from around here."
-
> "First things first, my name is Ran. Ran Yakumo." Only say that last bit if the Yakumo's aren't hated/disliked within Makai/whatever the name of the place we are in is called.(Doesn't Makai mean sumthin like Demon World?)
> "Well for one, do you know where this place is? I'm not exactly from around here."
>You don't think anyone around here recognizes you, so you give your full name.
>"Yumeko," says the maid, as she whacks another goat in line. "You're in Esoterica. Pretty much as far as you can get from anywhere worthwhile in Makai."
>_
-
> "M-makai?! Your not kidding are you?"
> "Umm, Yumeko, would you perhaps know how I could get out of Makai?"
-
> "M-makai?! Your not kidding are you?"
> "Umm, Yumeko, would you perhaps know how I could get out of Makai?"
>You were really hoping you were wrong, too...
>Yumeko gives you a look. "Do I look like I'm in any mood to kid? If you don't want to believe me, the road's over there."
>"I hear dying works wonders," she says. Yumeko then allows herself a short, sardonic "Heh." She gives the goats a look to make sure they're staying in line, then says, "Where do you want go?"
>_
-
> "Back to Gensokyo, and I would like to not die anytime soon, thank you." Give a little "heh" sort of laugh. "I need to bring mi'lady here back with me as well, and waking her as is could be dangerous, she was outright sleep-walking untill recently."
> Does Yukari look like she's truly asleep, and thus safe-ish to wake up, or does she look ready to start sleep-walking at anytime soon?
-
> "Back to Gensokyo, and I would like to not die anytime soon, thank you." Give a little "heh" sort of laugh. "I need to bring mi'lady here back with me as well, and waking her as is could be dangerous, she was outright sleep-walking untill recently."
> Does Yukari look like she's truly asleep, and thus safe-ish to wake up, or does she look ready to start sleep-walking at anytime soon?
>"There's a tunnel somewhere in those mountains," says Yumeko. "I hear the barrier is pretty strong, but that is your problem."
>She still moves or murmurs every so often, but it's been getting less frequent.
>_
-
>resist urge to snuggle Yukari
>"I've had experience with barriers before. We'll figure out something."
>Do we know why this barrier was put in place? If not, ask if she does.
-
>resist urge to snuggle Yukari
>"I've had experience with barriers before. We'll figure out something."
>Do we know why this barrier was put in place? If not, ask if she does.
>It's not a hard urge to resist, given the circumstances. If you back home, it would be much more of a struggle.
>"Good for you," says Yumeko.
>You are pretty sure it's in place to keep things from Makai from getting into Gensokyo. You're reasonably sure that's what that incident was about.
>_
-
>"Is there anything else you think I should know before I go investigate that myself?"
-
>"Is there anything else you think I should know before I go investigate that myself?"
>Yumeko shrugs. "Probably a guardian of some sort around there. No one bothers with it, so maybe she won't be there?"
>_
-
>... no, she probably wouldn't know anything else about the guardian
>"Thanks for your help, Yumeko. I'll go see about this guardian."
>head for the mountains, if she has nothing substantial to add to that
-
>... no, she probably wouldn't know anything else about the guardian
>"Thanks for your help, Yumeko. I'll go see about this guardian."
>head for the mountains, if she has nothing substantial to add to that
>She seems pretty apathetic in general. Except for herding goats.
>Yumeko gives you a look for a moment, then quirks her lips into kind of a confused grimace. "You're welcome."
>Finding she doesn't have anything to add that doesn't involve yelling at the goats, you depart and continue westward. Soon, scraggly-looking trees begin to rise up from the scrub plain, quickly becoming a light forest. You can hear the occasional sound of faeries going about their business, but it doesn't seem quite so active as the Forest of Magic.
>Soon you come to a wide river with a fair amount of pond scum on the top of it. Spanning this river a dilapidated covered bridge. Most curiously, a house as been build into the eastern side of the bridge, facing you. The house isn't much better condition than the bridge, but it seems to be inhabited; but you would have to pass right beside it to get over the bridge. You note a side door that opens into the bridge itself from the house, in addition to its front door. Obvious exits are East, West 1 and West 2.
>_
>_
-
>consider going a few dozen yards down and flying over the river away from the bridge and the house to avoid it entirely
>meh, check out the house anyway. Shouldn't be too dangerous.
>As in, take a look around, and maybe call out a 'hello'; don't rush into this...
-
>consider going a few dozen yards down and flying over the river away from the bridge and the house to avoid it entirely
>meh, check out the house anyway. Shouldn't be too dangerous.
>As in, take a look around, and maybe call out a 'hello'; don't rush into this...
>You consider flying over the river. It certainly seems possible.
>You have a look around the house. It's a squarish place, held together mostly by being too stubborn to fall apart. There are a couple windows, glancing into them reveals the occupant/s hang up blankets to make de facto rooms, much like you do.
>You call out, "Hello!"
>"Just a minute~" answers a cheery voice inside. A moment later, the front door opens. A tall demon with long red hair and bat-winged ears pokes her head out and smiles at you. "Hello dearies! You'll be want to cross, then?"
>_
-
> "Yes please, if it's not to much trouble."
> Would be at all possible to put a robe or some sort of simple clothing on Yukari without waking her? We are holding a woman in our arms, and she has little-to-no clothing on.
-
> "Yes please, if it's not to much trouble."
> Would be at all possible to put a robe or some sort of simple clothing on Yukari without waking her? We are holding a woman in our arms, and she has little-to-no clothing on.
>"That'll be twenty spades, then," she says, smiling as her headwings twitch in a manner you think is meant to be pleased.
>You could probably drape a blanket over her, if you had a blanket.
>_
-
> "I'm afraid that I have no money of any sort at the moment. I came here by accident, and I'm trying to get back to Gensokyo."
-
> "I'm afraid that I have no money of any sort at the moment. I came here by accident, and I'm trying to get back to Gensokyo."
>"Oooo, that's a problem," says the batwinged demon. "What do you intend to do about that situation?"
>_
-
> "I am not sure. I don't suppose you would let me cross without paying the money, would you? Or might there be some sort of service I could provide?"
-
> "I am not sure. I don't suppose you would let me cross without paying the money, would you? Or might there be some sort of service I could provide?"
>"You could give me your soul!" she says with a grin. "I take those, too. I'll let you come and go as much as you want for that."
>_
-
> "I'm afraid that I would much rather wait for her to wake up on her own. Such deals are almost never worth the price, especially considering that I don't expect to cross more than once."
-
> "I'm afraid that I would much rather wait for her to wake up on her own. Such deals are almost never worth the price, especially considering that I don't expect to cross more than once."
>"Rats!" She snaps her fingers. "You people never go for that one. How about the hat, then?"
>_
-
So THAT'S how it got put in Rinnosuke's store~
>"Deal."
>Give her the hat.
-
So THAT'S how it got put in Rinnosuke's store~
>"Deal."
>Give her the hat.
>It is a little difficult for you to give her your hat with your hands full of Yukari. But you are able to shrug it off a little, and she happily takes it and puts it on. It looks rather silly on her, to be honest, but she seems happy with it. Hopefully Yukari will be understanding about this, you had it for a long time, and she rather liked it.
>"You can cross as much as you like all day," says the red-haired demon, smiling. "Try not to get in the river. There's piranhas in it."
>There is a splash by the riverbank, as a dark-haired youkai with really impressive teeth pokes her head from the river. "I'm not a piranha, you stupid succubus!"
>"Those are fighting words!" the demon shouts back, her previous good cheer evaporated.
>_
-
> "Well, farewell then miss."
> Cross the bridge quickly, like speed-walking, so as to avoid the potential fight.
-
> "Well, farewell then miss."
> Cross the bridge quickly, like speed-walking, so as to avoid the potential fight.
>You don't think she heard you, or that she doesn't really care.
>You quickly cross the bridge, while you hear the youkai retort with, "I don't see why they are, you're a whore and so's you're whole family!"
>"That has nothing to do with it, you stupid catfish!"
>"What!"
>You cross the bridge without problems. Despite its rickety appearance, the floor is pretty sturdy. Really, you're more afraid of the roof collapsing on you.
>You reach the other side of the river. Ahead of you is more forest and foothills. The mountains loom not too far away. Obvious exits are east, west, and north.
>_
>_
-
> Proceed warily through the forest.
-
> Proceed warily through the forest.
>You make your way through the forest, careful of anything dangerous. You still hear the occasional faerie, but they seem to be too preoccupied with their own things to bother you.
>Soon the forest gives way foothills, and you can see the mountains not too far from here. It is less dark here, the redness in the sky seems brighter here. Obvious exits are South, East, and West.
>_
-
> Onwards! We're nearly to the mountains!
-
> Onwards! We're nearly to the mountains!
>You move onwards, toward the mountains.
>As you do, the light gets brighter yet. It's almost not gloomy around here anymore. A motion in the sky draws your eyes upwards. Something large and greenish emerges from the peaks of the mountains, appearing from thin air. You quickly identify it as the flying ship; what are they doing here? As the ship flies onward, it seems to get markedly less gloomy, as if it were chasing the gloom away.
>"You. Foxears." comes a voice from behind! You jump. "Explain."
>_
-
>Turn around and identify the voice.
-
>Turn around and identify the voice.
>Standing a few yards behind you is a smallish woman with blue-white hair, sporting a sizable ahoge, and wearing red robes. Where did she come from!?
>She frowns and furrows her brow. "Well, we can't have this sort of thing at all around here. Bad enough as it is." She raises a hand toward the sky, directing her palm toward the flying ship, and begins to gather sickly red energy into it.
>_
-
Time to see how much plot armor is given to preordained events in the fabric of space and time
>Nod sagely and watch what shall unfold.
-
> "That ship? If it who I think it is, they are trying to rescue a friend of theirs."
Is this Shinki or w/e we are talking with? I don't know PC98 characters that much past the ones who made it into the Windows games.
-
Time to see how much plot armor is given to preordained events in the fabric of space and time
>Nod sagely and watch what shall unfold.
>"What are you doing here, anyways?" She asks, while charging. "I can smell the Gensokyo on you."
> "That ship? If it who I think it is, they are trying to rescue a friend of theirs."
>"Let's pretend they are who you think they are. They're doing what now? And why does it involve filling my realm with this stupid light?"
>_
-
> "I'm here because Yukari brought me. She was sleepwalking, and it seems that she brought us here due to her not thinking clearly. She has the power to tear gaps in reality and step through them to other places, you see..."
> "As for what they are doing here, it seems that a friend of theirs has been sealed here in Makai, and they're trying to release her from the seal."
-
> "I'm here because Yukari brought me. She was sleepwalking, and it seems that she brought us here due to her not thinking clearly. She has the power to tear gaps in reality and step through them to other places, you see..."
> "As for what they are doing here, it seems that a friend of theirs has been sealed here in Makai, and they're trying to release her from the seal."
>"Oh," says the person. "Don't cause any messes, then."
>"What's this about seals? Wait, are they going for the big one to the southeast?"
>_
-
> "I would not know where they would be heading to be honest. Who or what if I may ask, is sealed in the southeast, in the "big one" you mentioned?"
> "Oh and before I forget my manners any further, my name is Ran Yakumo, the shikigami of Yukari Yakumo, the woman I am carrying."
-
> "I would not know where they would be heading to be honest. Who or what if I may ask, is sealed in the southeast, in the "big one" you mentioned?"
> "Oh and before I forget my manners any further, my name is Ran Yakumo, the shikigami of Yukari Yakumo, the woman I am carrying."
>"Shinki," says the woman. "And there's a place over there where people from your world sealed away someone. Never much bothered with it; we had a deal. But it's annoying."
>_
-
> "Hmmm, do you know the name of who is sealed within that particular seal miss Shinki? They told me they were trying to help a friend, I think one of them called the person Hijiri."
-
> "Hmmm, do you know the name of who is sealed within that particular seal miss Shinki? They told me they were trying to help a friend, I think one of them called the person Hijiri."
>She quirks her lips. "It might have been. Hijiri, Himeko, It was some name like that. I didn't pay too much attention at the time, It wasn't really important to me."
>_
-
>"Ah... yes, if that's right. Maybe hear a little about the area, if you'd like to share - we're just traveling through for now, but I'm not especially familiar with Makai."
-
>"Ah... yes, if that's right. Maybe hear a little about the area, if you'd like to share - we're just traveling through for now, but I'm not especially familiar with Makai."
>"What do you want to know?" she asks. She doesn't sound suspicious, but the look she's giving you most certainly is.
>_
-
>"I'm not going to bite you or anything, geez," Shinki says after a moment of painful silence. "I'm just irked some hotshot decided to bring that light in here and ruin all the gloom I've put so much attention in to."
>_
-
> "Oh sorry. Umm, do you know the where the seal they are heading to is? Does it have any defining feature to it?"
> "I'll go and speak with them to see if anything can be done about the light thats being brought in. The last thing I want to happen is people around here attacking the ship because of the light."
-
:words: The last thing I want to happen is people around here attacking the ship because of the light."
>"Or even worse, liking it."
>As in, liking the light. Such heathens that would make them!
-
> "Oh sorry. Umm, do you know the where the seal they are heading to is? Does it have any defining feature to it?"
> "I'll go and speak with them to see if anything can be done about the light thats being brought in. The last thing I want to happen is people around here attacking the ship because of the light."
>"It is really dark," Shinki says. "I only went there once, back when the whole spellcard thing took off. They did a good job sticking what's-her-name in there, it wasn't pleasant at all."
>"No one's going to attack it," Shinki says, with a distinct undercurrent of irritation, "Everyone here's completely useless, otherwise I wouldn't have to bother with it. Well, they might hassle the people on it, but they are not going to do any more than just rob it."
>"Or even worse, liking it."
>As in, liking the light. Such heathens that would make them!
>"Ugh. That would be such a pain..."
>_
-
> "I'll head off and see what can be done about the light then. Thank you for everything Shinki."
> If Shinki has no more business with us, head off to the flying ship.
-
> "I'll head off and see what can be done about the light then. Thank you for everything Shinki."
> If Shinki has no more business with us, head off to the flying ship.
>"Right. Good." Shinki frowns for a moment. "The password for the barrier is archeopteryx. Don't tell anyone."
>You look toward the ship, and see that it's no longer in the air. You can see it has landed by the mountains, some distance to the south.
>_
-
> "Got it, thanks again Shinki."
> Start heading toward the ship by flight.
-
> "Got it, thanks again Shinki."
> Start heading toward the ship by flight.
>"Just don't make me regret it," Shinki says.
>You take to the air, taking a slow, gentle course toward the Formerly Flying Ship. "S'cold," Yukari mutters at one point, but she doesn't seem to do much about it other than get some goosebumps.
>Approaching the ship, you find a fair amount of danmaku flying about, as a cloud of faeries swoops and swarms over it. You can discern both the faeries that were on the ship and the pallid faeries of Makai in the swarm.
>_
-
>considering how we shouldn't be bringing Yukari into a fight and we have no real reason to get into the fairy turf war, this is probably best avoided.
>That in mind, look for ways to get onto the ship, reach one of the people on it, or check out any caves or whatever nearby
-
>considering how we shouldn't be bringing Yukari into a fight and we have no real reason to get into the fairy turf war, this is probably best avoided.
>That in mind, look for ways to get onto the ship, reach one of the people on it, or check out any caves or whatever nearby
>You stop before you fly into the fighting.
>Looking around, you could probably fly around the fighting and approach the ship from the other direction. At least, that would keep you from the worst of it. You think you see Ichirin and Murasa sitting by each other on deck. You don't see any caves here.
>_
-
> Attempt to reach Ichirin and Murasa.
-
> Attempt to reach Ichirin and Murasa.
>How do you intend to do this?
>_
-
> If possible, attempt to reach Ichirin and Murasa through flight.
-
> If possible, attempt to reach Ichirin and Murasa through flight.
>There's a few flight paths that you could take. Which do you prefer?
>_
-
>Fly around the fighting.
-
>Fly around the fighting.
>You try to work your way around the fighting as well as you can. You are, unfortunately, going to have to get perilously close to it if you wish to land on the ship; there is a fair chance that some part of the aerial acrobatics will come toward you, or that some stray shots will come your way.
>_
-
> Get ready to fly as fast as we can.
> Watch the side that is shooting in our general direction. If we are left, watch the fairies on the right and vice-versa.
> Once their is an opening, gun it, fly towards the deck as fast as we can while avoiding whatever attack we can. If we are going to get hit, try to take the hit in place of Yukari.
-
> Get ready to fly as fast as we can.
> Watch the side that is shooting in our general direction. If we are left, watch the fairies on the right and vice-versa.
> Once their is an opening, gun it, fly towards the deck as fast as we can while avoiding whatever attack we can. If we are going to get hit, try to take the hit in place of Yukari.
>You take a moment to assess the situation, then fly as quickly as you can.
>The fighting is to your left, and yo keep a close eye out for stray fire. There is some, but none of it comes close to you.
>A Gensokyo faerie, however, darts outward from the cloud, being chased by two Makai faeries, and more or less hurtles directly into your path, as the pursers fire upon her.
>_
-
> Redirect our course to avoid the fairies as best as possible.
> Be ready to sheild Yukari from fairy danmaku and such.
> Land on the ship deck when we get close enough.
-
> Redirect our course to avoid the fairies as best as possible.
> Be ready to sheild Yukari from fairy danmaku and such.
> Land on the ship deck when we get close enough.
>You try to swoop low and avoid the faeries. Unfortunately, the chased faerie has the same idea. You barely manage to turn in time to keep her from colliding into Yukari, instead she slams into your back and nearly knocks you out of the air!.
>"Not s'rough," you hear Yukari mutter in a brief gap of silence between the the Makai faeries firing. Thankfully, holding still after the lose of speed and balance keeps their danmaku from being too much trouble.
>You land on the deck. Murasa waves at you.
>_
-
>"Makai doesn't seem to be the most welcoming place."
>"What have I missed?"
-
>"Makai doesn't seem to be the most welcoming place."
>"What have I missed?"
>Taking a closer look at the pair, you think that you missed a fight.
>"That it isn't," says Murasa. "But we made it all the same. Had some trouble with some treasure hunters, but they helped us out. Turns out they had the pieces of the Flying Arc!"
>"Shou and Nazrin are out trying to work on the seal right now," Ichirin adds. "It's so exciting!"
>"Found your mistress, I see," Murasa says, nodding toward Yukari.
>_
-
>"I'm guessing Nazrin told you the details: Yukari showed up while was working on getting the lantern, before bringing me here with her through a gap."
>"While I was working my way here, I met a rather powerful youkai girl named Shinki: It seems that this ship is bringing in some sort of 'light' that she isn't fond of. We shouldn't overstay our welcome, if we can help it."
>"And who were those treasure hunters, if I may ask?"
>this is the 'southeast seal' Shinki mentioned, right? Was the password related to this, or the route back to Gensokyo?
-
>"I'm guessing Nazrin told you the details: Yukari showed up while was working on getting the lantern, before bringing me here with her through a gap."
>"While I was working my way here, I met a rather powerful youkai girl named Shinki: It seems that this ship is bringing in some sort of 'light' that she isn't fond of. We shouldn't overstay our welcome, if we can help it."
>"And who were those treasure hunters, if I may ask?"
>this is the 'southeast seal' Shinki mentioned, right? Was the password related to this, or the route back to Gensokyo?
>"She did," says Ichirin. "You gave her quite a start. But all's well that ends well."
>The both nod as you mention Shinki's displeasure. "Well, the ship's out of power right now," says Murasa. "Hijiri should be able to do something about it, can't imagine it'll take more than a couple hours."
>"Oh, there were three of them," says Ichrin. "Two priestesses and a witch, all of them humans if you can believe it!"
>"Yeah, never had my hat handed to me by that many humans in a row," says Murasa, shaking her head. "Crazy."
>"The priestesses were showing off their armpits for some weird reason," says Ichirin with a small grimace. "Is that what's popular these days?"
>You think the password was related to the route back to Gensokyo.
>_
-
>"I'm not going to try and guess at the reasoning behind Reimu's fashion sense, but I'd have been more surprised if her and Marisa DIDN'T give you trouble - if I'm guessing their identities right. Was the witch a muscular girl with black and white clothes, a broom, and incredible abdominals?"
>"A third human other than Sakuya is a bit of a surprise, though. Maybe that's the new girl from Youkai Mountain..."
>"Where are they now?"
>ask if there's a safe bed or anything you might be able to leave Yukari at - then again, giving her another opportunity to sleepwalk could be risky.
-
>"I'm not going to try and guess at the reasoning behind Reimu's fashion sense, but I'd have been more surprised if her and Marisa DIDN'T give you trouble - if I'm guessing their identities right. Was the witch a muscular girl with black and white clothes, a broom, and incredible abdominals?"
>"A third human other than Sakuya is a bit of a surprise, though. Maybe that's the new girl from Youkai Mountain..."
>"Where are they now?"
>ask if there's a safe bed or anything you might be able to leave Yukari at - then again, giving her another opportunity to sleepwalk could be risky.
>They nod in response to your description of Marisa. "Faith affirming," says Ichirin.
>"They took off," says Murasa. "But I think they went in the general direction of the seal."
>You inquire about a bed. "We have some hammocks," says Murasa.
>You are pretty sure if you put Yukari down, she'll wander off again. Going through the faerie cloud did little for relaxing her.
>_
-
> Don't let Yukari go. We finally caught her after all.
> "So whats with all of the Makai fairies anyway?"
-
> Don't let Yukari go. We finally caught her after all.
> "So whats with all of the Makai fairies anyway?"
>You do not need to go through all of that crap again.
>Murasa shrugs. "Faeries are weird."
>Ichirin shoots her a look. "Don't be so rude! They did their best to help us get here, after all!" She looks back to you. "I think it's something of a disagreement over boundaries and a meet and greet mixed into one. It can be a little difficult to understand faeries sometimes."
>"Might just be having fun," Murasa adds.
>Ichirin gives a nod. "Though I do think the native faeries are interested in robbing us, too."
>_
-
>"Mind if I go see how Nazrin and Shou are doing with the seal?"
>If they don't, then proceed to carry out said action.
-
>"Mind if I go see how Nazrin and Shou are doing with the seal?"
>If they don't, then proceed to carry out said action.
>"If you wish," Ichirin says, though frowning. "But it might be a bit dangerous."
>"Knowing those three with the Flying Arc," says Murasa, "There's going to be a whole lot of danmaku in the air. And Shou's no slouch when it comes to it, either."
>_
-
> "Anything I could do to help here, or are you ok?"
-
> "Anything I could do to help here, or are you ok?"
>"I could use a sandwich," says Murasa.
>Ichirin gives her another look.
>"What?" Murasa says, "It's only the truth."
>Ichirin shakes her head. "I don't think we we really need anything. It wouldn't be fair of us to ask you for any help when you've clearly got your own problems to deal with. I do wish the faeries wouldn't fight, but that's something of a pipe dream, I suppose."
>_
-
>"If you've got the supplies, I could see about putting together some food... you're right to worry about the makai fairies thinking about robbing the ship - Shinki thought the same - but it looks like our imports are keeping them busy enough. Breaking up the fight probably wouldn't be worth the trouble."
>"I don't suppose you have any idea what to expect after Shou and the humans are done with their fight?"
-
> Consider what songs we know that Yukari likes that aren't "loud."
-
>"If you've got the supplies, I could see about putting together some food... you're right to worry about the makai fairies thinking about robbing the ship - Shinki thought the same - but it looks like our imports are keeping them busy enough. Breaking up the fight probably wouldn't be worth the trouble."
>"I don't suppose you have any idea what to expect after Shou and the humans are done with their fight?"
>It would be hard to cook with your hands full of Yukari.
>"Not much," says Murasa, "the faeries took most of what we had in store. Rest is probably half eaten."
>"I expect Shou will have her hands full carrying them back after beating them up," says Ichirin. "She's no slouch. Afterwards, we use the treasures to break the seal, and bring Hijiri home! Restoring the ship will be nothing for her."
>Murasa just shrugs. "Tell you what, at least the witch seemed interested in helping out. So hopefully things will go okay."
> Consider what songs we know that Yukari likes that aren't "loud."
>You've never been much for singing, really. But you could probably give her a quiet song or two if you wanted.
>_
-
>"Mmm... don't be too comfortable. Reimu and Marisa are known for regularly taking care of major incidents in Gensokyo, and for very good reason. But it sounds like they'll be letting out Hijiri one way or another, so I suppose it's a moot point."
>"I think I'll go down and take a look around. Yukari could use some sort of bed if I'm going to try and get her to calm down, and some of the Makai fairies may have been clever enough to try being stealthy. Is that alright?"
>if no objections, head into the ship and look around for foods and/or the sleeping quarters
-
>"Mmm... don't be too comfortable. Reimu and Marisa are known for regularly taking care of major incidents in Gensokyo, and for very good reason. But it sounds like they'll be letting out Hijiri one way or another, so I suppose it's a moot point."
>"I think I'll go down and take a look around. Yukari could use some sort of bed if I'm going to try and get her to calm down, and some of the Makai fairies may have been clever enough to try being stealthy. Is that alright?"
>if no objections, head into the ship and look around for foods and/or the sleeping quarters
>Murasa nods in agreement with your assessment. "You really think so?" Ichirin says.
>"Sure, knock yourself out," says Murasa. "Crew's Mess is down the main and to the right. And just take any hammock you like, no one cares."
>You head below decks.Now that there aren't faeries flying about and being faeries, you can see that the interior is mostly one long hallway; you're not sure what the proper term for it would be. You can see a couple doors here and there. Hammocks of varying sizes hang from the ceiling along the walls.
>_
-
>do a quick check of the mess hall, and maybe other rooms, for possible blankets/clothes to cover Yukari with, and a stool or something to take out and sit beside her hammock in. Or salvageable sandvich components.
>quests, descriptions
-
>do a quick check of the mess hall, and maybe other rooms, for possible blankets/clothes to cover Yukari with, and a stool or something to take out and sit beside her hammock in. Or salvageable sandvich components.
>quests, descriptions
>You look into the mess hall. It's fairly small and cramped; you can't imagine it would comfortably fit the mob of faeries that you've seen. There is a long, low table bolted to the floor, and a basic stove in the back near a pantry that has been pretty thoroughly raided. You're not sure if you could do much with it.
>Looking around elsewhere, you find a couple of storage closets, once of them containing a couple spare blankets. Checking around the steering house, you find a stool.
>Your Quests are:
>Credit Where Credit's Due.
>Sanae is late on the delivery of some Red Lily Pads to Rinnosuke. He has bid you to collect them or repossess the item that she got for them.
>Sleepwalk Woes
>Yukari is sleepwalking! And sleep manipulating. You have to get her back home before she hurts herself! You've managed to find her, only it involved going to Makai.
>_
-
>grab a blanket for Yukari
>head over to a hammock, take a stool along if there's a free hand somehow (put blanket on top of Yukari in transit?)
>set Yukari up in the hammock for now and stay close
-
>grab a blanket for Yukari
>head over to a hammock, take a stool along if there's a free hand somehow (put blanket on top of Yukari in transit?)
>set Yukari up in the hammock for now and stay close
>It takes some fancy manipulation on your part, but you are able to get a blanket. You have to nudge the stool over to a hammock with your feet, but this works well enough.
>You gently lay Yukari down on the hammock and cover her up. She shifts around a little bit before snuggling into the blanket.
>You think you see something moving out of the corner of your eye.
>_
-
>put a hand on Yukari's shoulder to keep tabs on her and look over at whatever it is
-
>Keep the serious face on when you turn to look. The Shikigami of Yakumo Yukari can't afford to mess around.
-
>put a hand on Yukari's shoulder to keep tabs on her and look over at whatever it is
>You put a hand on Yukari's shoulder. She shifts and mumbles something that should suspiciously like "Burritos"
>Looking over, you don't see anything.
>Keep the serious face on when you turn to look. The Shikigami of Yakumo Yukari can't afford to mess around.
>You give that empty air your business look.
>_
-
>Hmm. That probably isn't good.
>take a better look around without getting up
-
>Hmm. That probably isn't good.
>take a better look around without getting up
>You look around, catching motion out of the corner of your eye again. You are certain that you're not imaging that. But you can't see anything when you try to focus on it.
>_
-
>Probably either optical-camouflaged or an illusion. Do we have an easy way to break that?
-
>Probably either optical-camouflaged or an illusion. Do we have an easy way to break that?
>If it is optical camouflage, you image that just throwing something on it will work.
>Illusions are trickier. They require one to identify what is illusionary, then convince oneself that it is not there, generally by denying the senses that it invokes. Depending on the type of illusion, it can be very difficult.
>_
-
>inventory
>how tightly is Yukari clinging to her blanket?
>listen carefully for a moment, see if auditory elements were properly included
-
>inventory
>how tightly is Yukari clinging to her blanket?
>listen carefully for a moment, see if auditory elements were properly included
>Your Inventory Contains
>Long-sleeved robe: (Worn as clothes)
>Shikigami: Wizard Fox Thoughts (Significantly expended)
>Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser
>5 Ruined Spellcards
>Shikigami's Radiance: Charming Siege from All Sides
>Shikigami's Shot: Unilateral Contact
>Illusion God: Descent of Izuna Gongen (Water damaged)
>Not too firmly; you could probably extract it without issue.
>You don't hear any movement...but maybe there is a sort of sound of air moving a little?
-
>would one of the other hammocks be easily detachable to use as a net?
>if not, gently detach Yukari's grip on the blanket and get ready to toss/whip it at the movement
-
>would one of the other hammocks be easily detachable to use as a net?
>if not, gently detach Yukari's grip on the blanket and get ready to toss/whip it at the movement
>You could probably untie one of the hammocks without too much trouble.
>You the motion out of the corner of your eye, again.
>_
-
> "I believe you may wish to introduce yourself if you mean no harm. If you have business with me, please be up front with it." Serious but not to loud tone.
-
> "I believe you may wish to introduce yourself if you mean no harm. If you have business with me, please be up front with it." Serious but not to loud tone.
>You decide to try the civil approach. There is no answer. But you catch a glimpse of motion out of your right eye, then your left.
>Yukari mutters something, shifting onto her side. It sounds like, "Falafels"
>_
-
> "I can tell that someone is moving around, maybe more then just one. If you do not reveal your self or yourselves on the count of 3, I will assume you hostile in intent and attack. It's best for us all if you just reveal yourself."
> Try to sense how many living things are near us, if plausable. Like through detecting the source of power from whatever is moving.
> Be ready to attack whatever is moving, physically and through a spell card, either Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser, Charming Seige from All Sides or Unilateral Contact. Whichever is better within our current suroundings, short to medium range and semi-condifed area.
> Start counting to 3, but giving a bigger gap of time between 2 and 3.
-
> "I can tell that someone is moving around, maybe more then just one. If you do not reveal your self or yourselves on the count of 3, I will assume you hostile in intent and attack. It's best for us all if you just reveal yourself."
> Try to sense how many living things are near us, if plausable. Like through detecting the source of power from whatever is moving.
> Be ready to attack whatever is moving, physically and through a spell card, either Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser, Charming Seige from All Sides or Unilateral Contact. Whichever is better within our current suroundings, short to medium range and semi-condifed area.
> Start counting to 3, but giving a bigger gap of time between 2 and 3.
>You get no answer.
>You don't sense anything unusual down here, which is odd. You tend to have a good nose for magic. But you do think you hear something moving through the air.
>You are pretty sure that the only card you could use and not risk hitting Yukari is Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser.
>You count to three. There is no response, nor do you see anything.
>_
-
> Add quest: "Find 'Falafels' for Yukari"
I'm not sure whether to attack with the blanket or the spellcard, personally. The blanket would cause less collateral damage, but would leave Yukari cold. The spellcard would probably stop the trickery, but we might need it for something more threatening later.
-
>We said we were going to fire. Do so. Use non-card danmaku first while avoiding hitting Yukari.
-
>We said we were going to fire. Do so. Use non-card danmaku first while avoiding hitting Yukari.
>You may have non-card danmaku, or your may avoid hitting Yukari.
-
> Fire one or two non-card bullets, and away from Yukari. We said we would shoot, so shoot.
-
> Fire one or two non-card bullets, and away from Yukari. We said we would shoot, so shoot.
>You fire a couple of your kunai-style bullets, directing them away from Yukari as well as you can. They fly harmlessly, and don't seem to hit anything.
>You see motion out of the counter of your eye again; but with your back being currently turned to Yukari as it is...
>_
-
> Sigh, then face the direction we noticed the movement in.
-
> Sigh, then face the direction we noticed the movement in.
>You sigh, and turn around. This getting a little frustrating.
>Oh. There's a floating orb of light, about as wide as your shoulders, hovering over Yukari.
>_
-
>"Would you care to explain yourself, uh... shiny-san?"
>Oh hell. Be ready to violence if it really threatens Yukari.
-
>"Would you care to explain yourself, uh... shiny-san?"
>Oh hell. Be ready to violence if it really threatens Yukari.
>It makes a little figure eight in the air. You're not sure if that's a response.
>So far, it doesn't seem to be threatening her.
>_
-
> "Well, she is sleeping right now, so please don't bother her. If you wish to talk to me, I'm very willing to listen. I'd rather be your friend then your enemy."
> "Wild guess here, are you a friend of Ichirin or Murasa?"
-
> "Well, she is sleeping right now, so please don't bother her. If you wish to talk to me, I'm very willing to listen. I'd rather be your friend then your enemy."
> "Wild guess here, are you a friend of Ichirin or Murasa?"
>It doesn't respond, it just continues to make figure eights in the air.
>_
-
>"Could you move away from Yukari, please? She's been sleeping fitfully."
>Are floating lights like these remotely common or plausible? Seems more like an illusion, now. But of what kind?
-
>"Could you move away from Yukari, please? She's been sleeping fitfully."
>Are floating lights like these remotely common or plausible? Seems more like an illusion, now. But of what kind?
>It stops. You don't know what this signifies in Orb Language.
>You...don't think they're common. But there's all sorts of things that are plausible. It could be an illusion, though.
>_
-
> Slowly reach out to touch the Orb of Light.
-
> Slowly reach out to touch the Orb of Light.
>You reach out to touch the orb.
>The world seems to explode into danmaku, and you catch a fair amount of it with your face and fall back.
>_
-
> Reflexively fly as far away as possible as quickly as possible.
> Suddenly remember Yukari.
> "...Crap."
-
> Reflexively fly as far away as possible as quickly as possible.
> Suddenly remember Yukari.
> "...Crap."
>You fly back out of well-practiced instinct, regaining your footing at the far side of the ship.
>The orb is still floating over Yukari, tossing out waves of danmaku. You think you can pick your way through it. Yukari, being directly under it, seems to be safe.
>_
-
>as in, it's not firing downwards, or somehow she hasn't gotten hit yet?
>focus on predicting and avoiding the danmaku, see what this thing's up to
-
>as in, it's not firing downwards, or somehow she hasn't gotten hit yet?
>focus on predicting and avoiding the danmaku, see what this thing's up to
>The former.
>You dodge around a few volleys.
>"What's going on down there!?" Murasa shouts.
>_
-
>"Something kept taunting my field of vision for a while, then turned into some kind of orb of light and attacked when I tried to touch it!"
-
>"Something kept taunting my field of vision for a while, then turned into some kind of orb of light and attacked when I tried to touch it!"
>"What!?"
>The orb suddenly streaks toward the stairs!
>_
-
> "Their! That, whatever it may be, is the Orb I meant." Point towards where we saw the Orb go.
-
> "Their! That, whatever it may be, is the Orb I meant." Point towards where we saw the Orb go.
>By the time you say all that, it is long gone. But at the same time, you hear Murasa cry, "What the-!?" So it seems like she found it anyway.
>_
-
> "What, may I ask, was that thing, if you know?"
> "Shall we chase it?"
> "Oh, Yukari!" Walk over to Yukari, make sure shes still sleeping and is cozy.
-
>The shouting above decks leads you to believe Murasa didn't hear you.
>You realize you've left Yukari unattended! Quickly, you go to make sure she is alright.
>Yukari is a bit more wound up in the blanket, and muttering to herself too softly to easily overhear due to the chaos outside.
>_
-
> Go up and check to see what's going on up above
> If our help does not appear to be urgently needed, then quickly return to Yukari after doing this.
-
> Go up and check to see what's going on up above
> If our help does not appear to be urgently needed, then quickly return to Yukari after doing this.
>You go abovedecks, and find Murasa and Ichirin standing at the edge of the ship, looking at a small point of light in the distance. The faeries continue their battle.
>Given that the two of them see to be fine, you return to Yukari's side.
>_
-
> Wait for something to happen
-
> Wait for something to happen
>You don't have to wait long. Murasa comes belowdecks after a couple minutes. "That wasn't you, right?"
>_
-
> "What do you mean? Did something happen?"
-
> "What do you mean? Did something happen?"
>"Just that light thing that came screamin' out of here happened!" says Murasa. "You saw it, right? I heard you raising a fuss, then...whoosh."
>_
-
> "Yes, I saw that light, and the many bullets it fired into me, didn't I mention it to you when you came down here?"
-
> "Yes, I saw that light, and the many bullets it fired into me, didn't I mention it to you when you came down here?"
>"No you didn't," says Murasa. "I just came down here a second ago, too. Sure you're okay? I hear some people don't take danmaku well."
-
> "That's odd, either your right and it knocked me around, you have a clone on the ship you didn't mention, or theirs a shape-shifting youkai around here, quite possibly that ball of light I saw. I'm feeling fine, and I doubt you have a clone or an identical twin."
-
> "That's odd, either your right and it knocked me around, you have a clone on the ship you didn't mention, or theirs a shape-shifting youkai around here, quite possibly that ball of light I saw. I'm feeling fine, and I doubt you have a clone or an identical twin."
>"I know a trick, kinda," says Murasa, "But yeah, I just shouted down there when I head the ruckus."
>She looks around. "But anyways, what was that thing?"
>_
-
> "No clue what it was past the obvious, an Orb of Light. It was doing figure-8s over Yukari, stopped, then unleashed a massive amount of danmaku towards me."
-
> "No clue what it was past the obvious, an Orb of Light. It was doing figure-8s over Yukari, stopped, then unleashed a massive amount of danmaku towards me."
>"Must be some crazy Makai thing," says Murasa with a shrug. "What're your plans, anyways? Your girl there doing okay?"
>_
-
> " I'm only here because I was searching for Yukari, and then she brought me to Makai after I found her. So once she wakes up, I'm hoping that she will return us both home. Though she may well sleep long enough that I'll have to just carry her home once this ship returns to Gensokyo..."
-
> " I'm only here because I was searching for Yukari, and then she brought me to Makai after I found her. So once she wakes up, I'm hoping that she will return us both home. Though she may well sleep long enough that I'll have to just carry her home once this ship returns to Gensokyo..."
>Murasa nods. "Might just be able to walk out the barrier yourself, carrying her like you did. Pretty sure we did a number on the thing."
>_
-
> Does Yukari look as if she would be safe to wake up?
-
> Does Yukari look as if she would be safe to wake up?
>Well, she hasn't tried to get up yet. But she's still squirming a bit and muttering to herself. You honestly don't know.
>_
-
> If Murasa doesn't say anything, walk over to Yukari and try to soothe her, to calm her, in a motherly manner.
-
> If Murasa doesn't say anything, walk over to Yukari and try to soothe her, to calm her, in a motherly manner.
>You straighten her covers and smooth her hair a bit, while telling her everything will be okay in a soft voice. She calms a bit, though there is still the periodic squirm.
>_
-
>Exactly how cranky does Yukari get when woken up during a sleep of this length? It's unlikely she'll take TOO much of the extenuating circumstances into account, but now that things have settled a little, taking a few minutes to try and get her calm and wake her up safely may be the best course of action.
-
>Exactly how cranky does Yukari get when woken up during a sleep of this length? It's unlikely she'll take TOO much of the extenuating circumstances into account, but now that things have settled a little, taking a few minutes to try and get her calm and wake her up safely may be the best course of action.
>Once she gets going properly, she's terribly hard to wake up, short of a rampaging Suika. There's been at least one occasion when you had to haul her out of the house when it caught fire, and she still slept for a good two days later. But, when she's "restless" like this, for lack of a better term, she can be awoken and tends not to take it well. But she isn't an unreasonable monster, either.
>_
-
>Mmm. This incident is probably a valid excuse, but... I guess having her wake up wouldn't be a disaster.
>"I'd like to make it back soon, but I'm not sure it would be best for me to take Yukari back on my own, especially with Makai's dangers along the way. And the hammocks here look like the best place available to keep Yukari calm enough to sleep properly. Would it be too much to ask for a ride back on this, especially if I help out with Hijiri?"
-
>Mmm. This incident is probably a valid excuse, but... I guess having her wake up wouldn't be a disaster.
>"I'd like to make it back soon, but I'm not sure it would be best for me to take Yukari back on my own, especially with Makai's dangers along the way. And the hammocks here look like the best place available to keep Yukari calm enough to sleep properly. Would it be too much to ask for a ride back on this, especially if I help out with Hijiri?"
>At worst she'll be grouchy, you imagine.
>"If you wanna keep her here, that's fine by me," says Murasa. "Dunno when we'll be able to take off, though. Even when Hijiri gets back, it might take her some time to get us going again."
>_
-
> "Well, it's either wait it out and hope for the best, or pick up Yukari and try to walk or fly my way out and risk the high-hell of Yukari getting hit, waking up and being extremly angry. I'll take waiting thank you."
-
> "Well, it's either wait it out and hope for the best, or pick up Yukari and try to walk or fly my way out and risk the high-hell of Yukari getting hit, waking up and being extremly angry. I'll take waiting thank you."
>Murasa nods. "Fair enough. Anything you need?"
>_
-
>"Nothing of great importance, I believe, but I would like to speed this along, if I can. Or try and investigate that orb of light, if you have any idea where it went. I didn't see anything like that when I was elsewhere in Makai..."
-
>"Nothing of great importance, I believe, but I would like to speed this along, if I can. Or try and investigate that orb of light, if you have any idea where it went. I didn't see anything like that when I was elsewhere in Makai..."
>"I don't know what you could do to speed things along," says Murasa. "But, that orb thing went southeast. At a fine clip, too. Don't think I could keep up with it, myself."
>_
-
>Is that the direction of the way back to Gensokyo?
-
>Is that the direction of the way back to Gensokyo?
>You're pretty sure that is where the seal lies, actually.
-
>Time passes. With little else to do, and no desire to risk the finding the way out yourself, you just sit by Yukari and try to keep things calm for her. Eventually, she seems to settle into a proper sleep, her mutterings and shifting fading away.
>_
-
> If Yukari is no longer technically sleepwalking and just sleeping, consider waking her up gently, maybe with the scent of food she likes to help. The scent of good food is capable of waking up sleeping people after all :D Don't actually wake her yet, just consider it.
-
> If Yukari is no longer technically sleepwalking and just sleeping, consider waking her up gently, maybe with the scent of food she likes to help. The scent of good food is capable of waking up sleeping people after all :D Don't actually wake her yet, just consider it.
>You might be able to wake up Yukari now. However, you have peaked into the kitchen and didn't see much in the way of foodstuffs to work with. But you could probably leave her alone for a little bit without her gapping away on you.
>_
-
> Make sure Yukari is relaxed, like we did earlyer to calm her.
> "I think I might go after that Orb of Light. But I need you or Ichirin to watch over Yukari for me while I'm gone. If she wakes up, which I doubt, but if she does, give her a short summary of whats happened. Gapped in Makai while she was asleep, ect. Can I ask that of you Captain Murasa?" Gotta give a nice smile when saying the last part.
-
> Make sure Yukari is relaxed, like we did earlyer to calm her.
> "I think I might go after that Orb of Light. But I need you or Ichirin to watch over Yukari for me while I'm gone. If she wakes up, which I doubt, but if she does, give her a short summary of whats happened. Gapped in Makai while she was asleep, ect. Can I ask that of you Captain Murasa?" Gotta give a nice smile when saying the last part.
>You're pretty sure that she's properly relaxed.
>You wait for Murasa to come below decks again, and ask her to watch over Yukari for you. "Yeah, we can do that," she says.
>_
-
> "Thank you very much! I'm going to go after that Orb of Light then. If Hijiri is freed while I get their, since it is in the direction to said it went in was apperently the direction of the seal, I'll help bring her back here since it's in my interest as well."
-
> "Thank you very much! I'm going to go after that Orb of Light then. If Hijiri is freed while I get their, since it is in the direction to said it went in was apperently the direction of the seal, I'll help bring her back here since it's in my interest as well."
>"Um, okay..." says Murasa. You think your tangle of words might have lost her.
>_
-
> "Apperently the direction the Orb went is the direction of the Seal. If Hijiri is free from the seal once I get their, I'll help her back. Sorry if I confused you, I'm getting a bit excited."
-
> "Apperently the direction the Orb went is the direction of the Seal. If Hijiri is free from the seal once I get their, I'll help her back. Sorry if I confused you, I'm getting a bit excited."
>"Okay, just be careful," says Murasa.
>_
-
> Exit the ship and start heading after that Orb, by flight of course.
-
> Exit the ship and start heading after that Orb, by flight of course.
>You leave the ship.
>It has quieted down quite a bit outside. The clash between the faeries is over, and the few Gensokyoan faeries remaining fly over head, boating about their victory and how awesome they are.
>You begin to fly Southeast, skirting by the edge of the forest. Below, you can see empty plains of scrub and rock, dotted with the occasional pasture or field. The horizon ahead of you is much less gloomy than it was, leading you to suspect the seal has been broken.
>_
-
> Continue flying towards the seal, watching closly for danmaku.
> Hope that whoever broke the seal is friendly to us and to Hijiri.
-
> Continue flying towards the seal, watching closly for danmaku.
> Hope that whoever broke the seal is friendly to us and to Hijiri.
>You continue onwards. The land grows darker and more shadowy, but at the same time, the light ahead becomes stronger. You can sense the emanations of an magical activity around you, now. Something big happened here, not too long ago.
>You see some movement in the darkness below.
>_
-
>look for the movement; if it's similar to the light orb's antics from earlier, sigh and move on
-
>look for the movement; if it's similar to the light orb's antics from earlier, sigh and move on
>You look downward. It's dark down there, but you think it's a person dressed in back, wearing a wide-brimmed hat. It's hard to tell, but you think she's blond, as well.
>_
-
>Rumia?
>No, Marisa?
>Greet.
-
>
Or Yuki
-
>Rumia?
>No, Marisa?
>Greet.
>You can't imagine Rumia would be here. ...Alright, you could. She has a way of turning up. But you don't think it's her.
>It could be Marisa, it's a little hard to tell.
>You greet the person. "Who's there?" she calls back, in a voice that isn't familiar to you.
>_
-
> "Is that you Marisa? It's me, Ran. Lady Yukari's Shikigami."
> Slowly/calmly approach the person in black.
-
> "Is that you Marisa? It's me, Ran. Lady Yukari's Shikigami."
> Slowly/calmly approach the person in black.
>You call out to the person, and start to approach.
>"Sounds like you know something," says the person as she approaches as well. Quickly can determine this person isn't Marisa, she's far too petite. "I think maybe you should start explaining, eh?"
-
> "Explain what? And who are you anyway?"
-
> "Explain what? And who are you anyway?"
>"What's going on here, that's what. And don't worry about who I am."
>_
-
>"I'm here from Gensokyo. A few others came as well in a ship of sorts, to unseal a friend of theirs that was trapped in Makai. I'm investigating an orb of light that appeared on the ship, and looking for a way back so that we won't have to bother Makai further."
-
>"Well shit," says the blond woman, as she brings her fingers to her lips and gives a piercing whistle.
>_
-
> "Huh?"
> Be ready for anything.
-
>Especially a fight. Damnit.
>keep an eye out every which way, if possible, try not to get surrounded or blindsided
-
> "Huh?"
> Be ready for anything.
>"I was afraid you were with them," says the blond woman.
>She isn't doing anything yet, but she is watching you warily.
>Especially a fight. Damnit.
>keep an eye out every which way, if possible, try not to get surrounded or blindsided
>You don't like the look in her eyes, that's for certain.
>You look around, and don't see anything yet. The blond makes a small but distinct gesture with her left hand as you do.
>_
-
> "In all honesty I wouldn't have been involved with them i my Master hadn't decided to sleep-gap all over the place today. I wouldn't even be here in Makai if it weren't for that."
-
> "In all honesty I wouldn't have been involved with them i my Master hadn't decided to sleep-gap all over the place today. I wouldn't even be here in Makai if it weren't for that."
>"And what's your master's interest in all this, then?" asks the blond woman.
>_
-
> "Her whims are all but incomprehensible, and I doubt they make any more sense when she is asleep. ...Of course, beyond that, I honestly have no idea. It wasn't as if I was able to have a meaningful conversation with her while she was sleepwalking."
-
> "Her whims are all but incomprehensible, and I doubt they make any more sense when she is asleep. ...Of course, beyond that, I honestly have no idea. It wasn't as if I was able to have a meaningful conversation with her while she was sleepwalking."
>The blond woman nods, and you suspect there is some actual sympathy in it. Huh.
>"What about those people up yonder?" she asks, gesturing in the direction you were flying. "They mean anything to you?"
>_
-
> "Well I just met them a couple hours ago, so I wouldn't say they're anything but acquaintances that are trying to help me out a bit while they look for this Hijiri person."
-
> "Well I just met them a couple hours ago, so I wouldn't say they're anything but acquaintances that are trying to help me out a bit while they look for this Hijiri person."
>"I mean the Red White and Black White," she corrects. "And that other one, too, I guess."
>_
-
> "Oh those two? I haven't seen them since I was back in Gensokyo."
-
> "Oh those two? I haven't seen them since I was back in Gensokyo."
>"It's them up ahead," she says. "I'd know their like anywhere."
>_
-
> "I see. That black-white witch has a tendency to cause more trouble than she fixes, even if most is harmless... Emphasis on 'most.' So I care little about her. However, the shrine maiden is rather necessary for the survival of Gensokyo, and my master is rather fond of her."
-
> "I see. That black-white witch has a tendency to cause more trouble than she fixes, even if most is harmless... Emphasis on 'most.' So I care little about her. However, the shrine maiden is rather necessary for the survival of Gensokyo, and my master is rather fond of her."
>"Oh. You'll probably have to do something about that," says the blond woman. "She's going to be unavailable for awhile."
>_
-
> "What? Why?"
-
> "What? Why?"
>"Mostly because she's going down. Black White, too."
-
> "I'd be careful. They are a couple of the most adept fighters around."
-
> "I'd be careful. They are a couple of the most adept fighters around."
>"Oh, I know." says the blond woman. "Trust me, I know. But you see, they've been getting into a lot of fights lately. That tiger youkai, the orb of light you were talking about. Pretty sure they're having a go at that woman who got sealed here. So once they let their guard down afterwards..." She chuckles grimly.
>_
-
>"That, I cannot allow."
>Ready to rumble!
-
>"That, I cannot allow."
>Ready to rumble!
>"That's about what I expected when you said you were with them," replies the blond woman. "But, welp, your hospital bill!"
>She makes a motion with her hand, and suddenly there are waves of danmaku coming at you!
>_
-
>available spellcards
>examine her pattern and stay out of the way for the moment, fire a little regular danmaku to keep her occupied
-
>available spellcards
>examine her pattern and stay out of the way for the moment, fire a little regular danmaku to keep her occupied
>Shikigami: Wizard Fox Thoughts (Significantly expended)
>It creates thick leafy danmaku that one must move very little to endure.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser
>An aimed burst of danmaku that leaves lasers in its wake.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Charming Siege from All Sides
>Entraps your foe on all sides, forcing the them backwards if they wish to survive.
>Shikigami's Shot: Unilateral Contact
>Sends out many shots, then has them rotate quickly.
>Illusion God: Descent of Izuna Gongen (Water damaged)
>A spellcard that starts simply, and slowly piles on more and more shots until there is hardly any space left.
>You examine her pattern, and quickly find a gap to dive through! It seems she's shooting out a spiral pattern, made of broken up but tightly-pack groups of bullets. There are some gaps between the bullets, but they're coming fast!
>_
-
>Would the gaps get larger or smaller if she was forced further back?
>focus on sneaking through for now, have Charming Siege and Unilateral Contact ready
-
>Would the gaps get larger or smaller if she was forced further back?
>focus on sneaking through for now, have Charming Siege and Unilateral Contact ready
>The further away the shots get, the larger the gaps become.
>You play defensively for now, keeping two spellcards ready.
>_
-
>Charming Siege.
-
>Charming Siege.
>You declare the spellcard, and begin to fill the air with lines of blue bullets. The blond woman backs away, clearly not liking the looks of this. You then move to the side, filling the air with larger red shots that spin around you for a moment before spiraling outward.
>You can take advantage of the distant and play defensively, or you can move in closer and keep the pressure on her.
>_
-
>Are there any obstacles nearby that would intensify this pressure?
>Is regular danmaku an option with a spellcard active?
-
>Are there any obstacles nearby that would intensify this pressure?
>Is regular danmaku an option with a spellcard active?
>You are in open sky at the moment. There are no obstacles you can see.
>No.
>_
-
> Move in slightly to keep the pressure, but only if our foe has ceased firing at us, or if their are gaps in her pattern we can slip through safely.
-
> Move in slightly to keep the pressure, but only if our foe has ceased firing at us, or if their are gaps in her pattern we can slip through safely.
>You move in a bit, forcing the blond woman further back.
>Your back suddenly erupts into pain, the force of it breaking your spellcard. "You okay, Yuki? calls out a slightly high-pitched voice behind you.
>"Keep shooting her, damn it!" The blond woman shouts.
>_
-
> "Wow. Ever heard of cheating?"
> Retreat a bit so we can get them both into Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser.
-
> Retreat a bit so we can get them both into Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser.
>No, let's just use a 360 spellcard instead! That should work better against multiple targets, right? Especially with one behind us.
>Use Shikigami's Shot, Unilateral Contact.
-
> "Wow. Ever heard of cheating?"
> Retreat a bit so we can get them both into Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser.
>No, let's just use a 360 spellcard instead! That should work better against multiple targets, right? Especially with one behind us.
>Use Shikigami's Shot, Unilateral Contact.
>"It's called teamwork!" shouts the blond, Yuki.
>You come up with two differing strategies. One is going to have to be selected quickly.
>_
-
> 360 the cheaters.
-
> 360 the cheaters.
>You declare Shikigami's Shot, Unilateral Contact.
>You toss out a wave of fast-moving bullets and conjure several columns of butterflies in front of you, one of them catching Yuki in the side and elicting a pain yell. The bullets pause in midair, as you prepare to set them turning.
>Your back erupts into pain again, and the spellcard breaks. "Good work, Mai!" shoulds Yuki.
>_
-
>get them both on one side of us to be able to see where shots are coming from.
-
>get them both on one side of us to be able to see where shots are coming from.
>This seems like an excellent plan, but how do you propose to do it?
>_
-
> We are in the middle of them correct? Then turn so one is on our left and the other on our right, then start flying away from them in that direction. After two seconds of this, look behind us to see if they are following us, if so continue flying. After a few seconds of this, stop and turn around, firing danmaku.
-
> We are in the middle of them correct? Then turn so one is on our left and the other on our right, then start flying away from them in that direction. After two seconds of this, look behind us to see if they are following us, if so continue flying. After a few seconds of this, stop and turn around, firing danmaku.
>You make a ninety degree turn, and catch a glimpse of the woman who ambushed you; a blue-haired and blue-ice woman in a white dress and matching bow, with two small wings on her back. You do not pause to make any further assessments, you just flee northward.
>"Hey!" shouts Yuki as you make your tactical withdrawal. "Don't let her get away!" You look back to see the two of them trying to chase you while keeping their positions intact. You are, however, starting to lose them a bit.
>_
-
> Spin around and start firing danmaku at them, then stop flying away.
-
> Spin around and start firing danmaku at them, then stop flying away.
>You spin and throw some danmaku at them, forcing them to give up their chase and make some frantic dodges. They still have you flanked at the moment.
>_
-
> Now both of them are infront of us right? Or did they stay how they were, just chasing?
> If both in front, continue blasting them.
> If one is on either side of us, activate a card that hits all around us. Unilateral Contact does that, right?
-
> Now both of them are infront of us right? Or did they stay how they were, just chasing?
> If both in front, continue blasting them.
> If one is on either side of us, activate a card that hits all around us. Unilateral Contact does that, right?
>They didn't try to converge on you, they just moved the same way you did while keeping their distance, so the latter. They just a little off center at the moment from your attack, but soon they'll correct that.
>This card was broken when you were shot in the back.
>_
-
>They didn't try to converge on you, they just moved the same way you did while keeping their distance, so the latter. They just a little off center at the moment from your attack, but soon they'll correct that.
>This card was broken when you were shot in the back.
>_
> Declare Fox Tanuki Youkai-Laser.
-
> Declare Fox Tanuki Youkai-Laser.
>You declare Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser!
>You will have to aim it at one or the other.
>_
-
>You declare Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser!
>You will have to aim it at one or the other.
>_
> Can we keep track of one while aiming at the other?
> If so, target the Fire user(Mai, I think) while tracking the Ice User(Yuki?)
> If not, try flying around the one who attacked us from behind in the first place, so that both of them are in front of us.
-
> If so, target the Fire user(Mai, I think) while tracking the Ice User(Yuki?)
Ice is Mai, fire is Yuki
-
Ice is Mai, fire is Yuki
> Ok, adjusting what I said based on that then. Target Yuki with the card, Track Mai, if possible.
-
> Can we keep track of one while aiming at the other?
> If so, target the Fire user(Mai, I think) while tracking the Ice User(Yuki?)
> If not, try flying around the one who attacked us from behind in the first place, so that both of them are in front of us.
Ice is Mai, fire is Yuki
> Ok, adjusting what I said based on that then. Target Yuki with the card, Track Mai, if possible.
>You can try to track one while attacking the other, but if you divert your attention from the card too much, it might end prematurely.
>You unleash the attack on Yuki! She dives out of the way of the main burst of the attack, but one of the beams catches her soundly.
>Mai, who is out of range, is trying to circle around you.
>_
-
>You unleash the attack on Yuki! She dies out of the way of the main burst of the attack, but one of the beams catches her soundly.
> Report bug to the parser.
-
> Report bug to the parser.
>You I 'm dyslexic fuck
>Corrected.
>_
-
>Is it possible to switch targets?
-
>Is it possible to switch targets?
>You may. But it will slow you down a little if one target is too far away from the other.
>_
-
> How mobile are we while using the card?
> Would we be able to dodge an attack aimed at us if we knew it was coming?
-
> How mobile are we while using the card?
> Would we be able to dodge an attack aimed at us if we knew it was coming?
>Fairly so, but within a small area, which means running battles are out of the question.
>If it is not overly complex you can dodge, but if it requires too much out of it, you'll have to break your concentration.
>_
-
>Mai slips behind you, while Yuki recovers her balance. You can launch another attack now easily.
-
> Can we strafe Yuki while staying ahead of Mai's attacks?
> If so, do that
-
> Can we strafe Yuki while staying ahead of Mai's attacks?
> If so, do that
>You can approach Yuki, yes, and move to the sides. You'll have to pause in order to shoot, though.
>_
-
> Strafe Yuki, fire a fire times, then back up and shoot for Mai if all that's possible
-
> Strafe Yuki, fire a fire times, then back up and shoot for Mai if all that's possible
>Yuki sends more arcs of danmaku at you as you start to move, but you are far enough away that you can see your way through them easily enough. You halt and unleash a another blast of your spellcard at Yuki, who tries to stay still, and gets hit with the initial burst of danmaku, crying out. You then back away, and see a number of pale blue bullets soaring past you. Thankfully, you move in such a way that they do not hit you, and turn to face Mai, only to see an arc of them a few feet from you and coming fast!
>_
-
> Drop below them if that's a viable escape.
> If not, dodge to the side.
> ATTACK!
-
> Drop below them if that's a viable escape.
> If not, dodge to the side.
> ATTACK!
>You drop immediately, practically free falling toward the ground, and letting the bullets pass overhead.
>Then you aim the spellcard upwards, and send the thick burst of danmaku flying at Mai. She darts to the left, and ends up being caught between the lasers and struck solidly by one of the.
>"Mai, I got it!" shouts Yuki, "You can't move too much!"
>_
-
> Spellcards.
> Now that they know the trick, we should mix it up on them.
-
>Let them employ their strategy of 'Don't move too much.'
>Lure them in as close as possible, so long as we don't get hurt, as if oblivious to their comprehension.
>Spell Card Declare! Shikigami's Radiance: Charming Siege from All Sides
>Await pchu~n.
-
> Spellcards.
> Now that they know the trick, we should mix it up on them.
>Your spellcards are
>Shikigami: Wizard Fox Thoughts (Significantly expended)
>It creates thick leafy danmaku that one must move very little to endure.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser (Partially expended)
>An aimed burst of danmaku that leaves lasers in its wake.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Charming Siege from All Sides (Expended)
>Entraps your foe on all sides, forcing the them backwards if they wish to survive.
>Shikigami's Shot: Unilateral Contact (Expended)
>Sends out many shots, then has them rotate quickly.
>Illusion God: Descent of Izuna Gongen (Water damaged)
>A spellcard that starts simply, and slowly piles on more and more shots until there is hardly any space left.
>Let them employ their strategy of 'Don't move too much.'
>Lure them in as close as possible, so long as we don't get hurt, as if oblivious to their comprehension.
>Spell Card Declare! Shikigami's Radiance: Charming Siege from All Sides
>Await pchu~n.
>While a workable strategy in theory, that spellcard was broken when Mai shot you in the back the first time.
>_
-
> Lure them in and then declare Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser.
-
> Lure them in and then declare Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser.
>How do you intend to lure them in?
>_
-
> Lure them in by firing regular danmaku bursts.
> Once close enough, declare Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser.
-
> Lure them in by firing regular danmaku bursts.
> Once close enough, declare Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser.
>You switch to your regular danmaku bursts, focusing on a pattern that leaves your back open and places the pressure on Mai at the moment, keeping her from being able to effectively counterattack. As expected, you notice Yuki closing in on you from behind to get the most of out her waves.
>You whirl on her Yuki and declare Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Laser on her once again. While she understands the trick to getting aroudn it, you leave her no time to react. The danmaku smacks into her solidly, causing her to lose her balance in midair and nearly tumble, cursing the whole time.
>Yuki is now in front of you, a few yards away. Mai is behind you, a dozen or so yards away.
>_
-
> If Yuki hasn't recovered yet, keep up the pressure on her until Mai gets at least ten yards away from us. Once there, whirl around and fire on Mai.
-
>Try not to get hit by any bullets to the back this time, either.
-
> If Yuki hasn't recovered yet, keep up the pressure on her until Mai gets at least ten yards away from us. Once there, whirl around and fire on Mai.
>Mai doesn't seem to be closing in, which past experience has taught you is a very bad thing.
>_
-
> We are currently targeting Yuki, correct?
> If so, keep the pressure on her, but make sure to keep track of Mai, preferably by way of visuals, like looking over our shoulder.
> To the the other voices: If it is not already clear, this battle is the kind where you must take out on enemy as soon as possible, but without leaving ourself open to the others attacks/leaving the other to her own devices. We need to be tracking the one we aren't attacking. That is likly one of the best ways to win a fight like this, turn the 2-on-1 into a 1-on-1 ASAP or else you will suffer.
-
> We are currently targeting Yuki, correct?
> If so, keep the pressure on her, but make sure to keep track of Mai, preferably by way of visuals, like looking over our shoulder.
> To the the other voices: If it is not already clear, this battle is the kind where you must take out on enemy as soon as possible, but without leaving ourself open to the others attacks/leaving the other to her own devices. We need to be tracking the one we aren't attacking. That is likly one of the best ways to win a fight like this, turn the 2-on-1 into a 1-on-1 ASAP or else you will suffer.
>You are.
>You focus, letting your spellcard gather the proper energy to fire again. You try to keep an eye on Mai over your shoulder, but you can't see her very well. But you do see a flash of blue light.
>Do be specific in describing how you deal with that situation.
>_
-
> Do bullets fired, spell card or not, make any sound at all? Either when fired or when flying towards something?
> If so, listen for those sounds.
> If not, quickly look back to be sure Mai didn't start an attack.
> If Mai DID start an attack, move ourself so Yuki is inbetween us and Mai, as best as possible.
-
> Do bullets fired, spell card or not, make any sound at all? Either when fired or when flying towards something?
> If so, listen for those sounds.
> If not, quickly look back to be sure Mai didn't start an attack.
> If Mai DID start an attack, move ourself so Yuki is inbetween us and Mai, as best as possible.
>They do, but it's not reliable unless the attack is very slow.
>Glancing back, you see a beam coming right at you!
>You move, the beam coming close enough to sear a sizable hole in your sleeve and make your skin uncomfortably tingly. It does not come near Yuki; apparently Mai is smart enough to plan for friendly fire.
>Yuki is getting her balance back.
>_
-
> Throw some normal danmaku at Yuki in an attempt to keep her off balance.
> If this succeeds, attempt to rush Mai.
-
> Throw some normal danmaku at Yuki in an attempt to keep her off balance.
> If this succeeds, attempt to rush Mai.
>You throw some normal Danmaku at Yuki, forcing her to move away sharply before she can counterattack. You then turn in midair and rush toward Mai. She responds by throwing light blue danmaku at you. You aren't in a good position to read it, but it seems to be coming straight for you.
>_
-
> Stay on course, but move in order to dodge the danmaku.
> If we manage to get really close, blast her with normal danmaku.
-
> Stay on course, but move in order to dodge the danmaku.
> If we manage to get really close, blast her with normal danmaku.
>You stay on course, moving aside slightly as Mai's counter turns out to be a simply three-way spread of shots. Some get uncomfortably close, but you manage to slip between them just fine.
>Getting within a couple yards of Mai, you send your normal Danmaku everywhere; too quickly for her to read. She cries out and backs away as they strike her in several places.
>_
-
> Assess Yuki's condition.
> Do this while keeping the pressure on Mai.
-
> Combine melee attacks with danmaku and attempt to knock Mai out as quickly as possible
-
> Combine melee attacks with danmaku and attempt to knock Mai out as quickly as possible
>This is theoretically possible, you think you could probably take a danmaku motion and turn it into a decent punch.. But Melee and danmaku are both pretty broad terms. What do you specifically intend to do?
>_
-
> Assess Yuki's condition while Mai regains her composure.
-
> Punch Mai repeatedly as fast as possible while releasing danmaku toward her at the same time. The punches themselves don't have to be too hard, the danmaku should be doing most of the damage at this range.
-
> Assess Yuki's condition while Mai regains her composure.
>You glance over your shoulder. Yuki seems to have recovered and is drawing closer.
> Punch Mai repeatedly as fast as possible while releasing danmaku toward her at the same time. The punches themselves don't have to be too hard, the danmaku should be doing most of the damage at this range.
>You close in further and lash out at Mai, throwing danmaku with the motion. The danmaku is terribly sloppy for you, to be honest. There's little beauty in the attack, with nowhere near as many bullets as you're capable of easily making and with gaps that would be intolerably easy for your victim to slip through normally. But in this case, it doesn't matter. Mai tries to counter with her own shots, at first, until she sees your fist descending at her and cries out, trying to protect her face. Your strike isn't that effective, at worst you bruise her arms a bit, but your sloppy danmaku strikes her several times.
>"Don't move!" Yuki shouts.
>_
-
> Glide to the side in order to dodge Yuki's impending attack, and if she keeps accelerating to where we were, be sure to sideswipe her.
> Otherwise, dodge to the side and unleash a high volume of danmaku to try and hit both Yuki and Mai.
-
> Glide to the side in order to dodge Yuki's impending attack, and if she keeps accelerating to where we were, be sure to sideswipe her.
> Otherwise, dodge to the side and unleash a high volume of danmaku to try and hit both Yuki and Mai.
>You move to Mai's side, offering you a better view of Yuki. In particular, you see that Yuki is only a few yards away, and unleashing a tight stream of danmaku in your direction.
>_
-
> Back away from the stream of danmaku, and then slip through the gaps as best as possible, continue our assault on whoever we were attacking(I can't remember who it was).
-
> Back away from the stream of danmaku, and then slip through the gaps as best as possible, continue our assault on whoever we were attacking(I can't remember who it was).
>You back away from the stream, and find it is all aimed at you. It's not especially hard for you to get around them. But in the process, Mai escapes from you, crying out and flying toward Yuki.
>_
-
> Keep dodging until Mai gets closer to Yuki and then attempt to hit them both with Fox-Tanuki Laser.
-
> Keep dodging until Mai gets closer to Yuki and then attempt to hit them both with Fox-Tanuki Laser.
>You slip around Yuki's attacks until Mai draws closer. Which one will you target?
>_
-
> Who seems to be in worse shape and/or less risky to attack?
-
> Who seems to be in worse shape and/or less risky to attack?
>Both are in rather nasty shape, but Mai seems worse off from your most recent assault.
>You target Mai and declare Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser. Yuki cries out a warning, but Mai isn't quick enough to react. The burst catches her full in the back, almost sending her tumbling from the sky. Yuki manages to dodge the resulting lasers, and throws a few more of her spreads at you.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser has been expended.
>_
-
> Remaining spellcards
> Dodge, and counter with our own danmaku. Aimed kunai bullets.
-
> Remaining spellcards
> Dodge, and counter with our own danmaku. Aimed kunai bullets.
>Your spellcards are
>Shikigami: Wizard Fox Thoughts (Significantly expended)
>It creates thick leafy danmaku that one must move very little to endure.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser (Expended)
>An aimed burst of danmaku that leaves lasers in its wake.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Charming Siege from All Sides (Expended)
>Entraps your foe on all sides, forcing the them backwards if they wish to survive.
>Shikigami's Shot: Unilateral Contact (Expended)
>Sends out many shots, then has them rotate quickly.
>Illusion God: Descent of Izuna Gongen (Water damaged)
>A spellcard that starts simply, and slowly piles on more and more shots until there is hardly any space left.
>You work your way through Yuki's attacks without much trouble, and aim some of your Kunai shots. Where will you be aiming them?
>_
-
> If possible, try to aim so that the attack will catch both Yuki and Mai. If not possible, then aim at Yuki while attempting to reach a position that's more to our advantage.
-
> If possible, try to aim so that the attack will catch both Yuki and Mai. If not possible, then aim at Yuki while attempting to reach a position that's more to our advantage.
>You try to direct the attack so that it hits both Yuki and Mai, with preference given to Yuki. Yuki is able to slip between the attacks without too much trouble, but Mai, being a somewhat larger target and worse off, is clipped in the wing.
>"That's all I got, Yuki, sorry..." she says, as she begins to spiral downward.
>"You whore!" cries Yuki, as she follows after Mai. "We were going to get even, and get back into grace! Goddamn you!"
>_
-
> "Toss insults if you will, but I shall not allow you to harm two of Gensokyo's greatest defenders!"
> Declare Wizard Fox Thoughts
-
> "Toss insults if you will, but I shall not allow you to harm two of Gensokyo's greatest defenders!"
> Declare Wizard Fox Thoughts
>You answer her, then declare Shikigami: Wizard Fox Thoughts.
>The initial shot streaks toward Yuki, leading her to instinctively dodge to the right. When it explodes into a cloud of leafy danmaku, she collides with it before she can stop herself. Her cries are terribly satisfying.
>Yuki backs away, withdrawing after Mai. "Better watch your back! You're on the list, Foxy!"
>_
-
> "I'm sorry, but I simply could not stand by."
> Now... What were we doing again before they got in the way?
-
> "I'm sorry, but I simply could not stand by."
> Now... What were we doing again before they got in the way?
>Yuki doesn't say anything back as she retreats.
>You have to take a moment to collect your thoughts. You were trying to figure out where that sphere of light went, and to make sure things are going alright between this Hijiri person and the rest.
>Looking ahead, you can see a light show that suggests they have met.
>_
-
> Try to fix our appearence up to be more presentable, if possible, and tending to any wounds we may have earned from that encounter.
> Try and calm down from the fight, adrenaline and such doesn't help in peaceful talks.
> Head towards our original destination, the direction the light flew off in, the direction of Hijiri's seal.
-
> Try to fix our appearence up to be more presentable, if possible, and tending to any wounds we may have earned from that encounter.
> Try and calm down from the fight, adrenaline and such doesn't help in peaceful talks.
> Head towards our original destination, the direction the light flew off in, the direction of Hijiri's seal.
>You fix yourself up as best you can. You imagine your hair is a mess, and there's nothing you can do about where Mai's laser ruined your clothes. Not to mention your tails are still pretty mussy. Alas. But you expect that the people you're after won't look too much better.
>You also let yourself calm down a bit. It won't do to run into anyone else with you're heart racing.
>These things done, you contineu on southeast, toward the danmaku flying in the distance. As you keep going that direction, it comes to a stop. You imagine the fight must be over.
>Soon, you can see a small group of people in the gloom ahead.
>_
-
> Do we reconize any of the people?
> Either way, continue approaching, but slow down once we are within a decent talking range/someone directs something our way, danmaku or otherwise.
>_ Yukari damnit, force-of-habit
-
> Do we reconize any of the people?
> Either way, continue approaching, but slow down once we are within a decent talking range/someone directs something our way, danmaku or otherwise.
>_ Yukari damnit, force-of-habit
>You do not recognize anyone immediately, but there's a very large one you're pretty sure is Marisa. You'd recognize that silhouette anywhere. And...she seems to have some equally huge leaning on her. You see two more people, whom you assume must be Reimu and Sanae.
>"Someone up ahead" you hear Marisa say.
>"Oh for fuck's sake," answers a voice you know to be Reimu's. "Sanae, go frog her up, I'm sick and tired of all this."
>_
-
> Let the others know that we are here with something like "Why, hello everyone."
> Bow politly after revealing ourselves.
-
> Let the others know that we are here with something like "Why, hello everyone."
> Bow politly after revealing ourselves.
>"Wait, is that Ran," Marisa asks, as the group draws closer. You can see that Marisa has an absolutely immense woman with curious hair leaning on her heavily; presumably she lost whatever fight just went down.
>"Well shit," Reimu says, you can see her giving you her business look. "Make with the frogs to face, Sanae! Ran doesn't play around like that nun youkai you liked so much!"
>_
-
> "Wait! I'm not here to fight! I'm here to talk!"
-
> "Wait! I'm not here to fight! I'm here to talk!"
>"I'm not falling for that again!" says Reimu, as the group pulls up into proper danmaku range.
>"Reimu, let's let her speak," says Marisa, giving her companion a concerned look.
>"That's easy for you to say," Reimu says, "You got Biggun there to hide behind when she starts throwing kunai bullets. I hate kunai bullets!"
>"We all hate kunai bullets, Reimu," says Sanae.
>"Fine!" Reimu shouts, throwing her hands up, then looks at you. "What?"
>_
-
> "I just came to check on how everything went with the Hijiri individual. I assume that's her?"
> Point to the figure leaning on Marisa.
> "Anyways, I don't wish to fight as I was sent here through Master's sleep-gapping and I also just had a run-in with two elemental witches. So I assure you I come in peace."
-
> "Lady Yukari was... sleep walking, or gapping, whichever you wish to call it, and in trying to get her back to bed, i was gapped here to Makai. I learned that a woman named Hijiri was likely sealed in this direction, and at the request of a, Shou I believe was her name, I decided to see if I could help unseal Hijiri."
> "To be honest, I kinda just wanna go home, have a nice bath, and then a long nap."
-
> "I just came to check on how everything went with the Hijiri individual. I assume that's her?"
> Point to the figure leaning on Marisa.
> "Anyways, I don't wish to fight as I was sent here through Master's sleep-gapping and I also just had a run-in with two elemental witches. So I assure you I come in peace."
> "Lady Yukari was... sleep walking, or gapping, whichever you wish to call it, and in trying to get her back to bed, i was gapped here to Makai. I learned that a woman named Hijiri was likely sealed in this direction, and at the request of a, Shou I believe was her name, I decided to see if I could help unseal Hijiri."
> "To be honest, I kinda just wanna go home, have a nice bath, and then a long nap."
>You draw closer to the group. They all look rather beat up, especially the big woman leaning on Marisa.
>"Yep," says Marisa. "This is Byakuren."
>"Um, hello," the other large woman mumbles.
>"Don't worry about her," Marisa says. "She just got danmaku'd up pretty good."
>"Not that I'd ever call that spellcard good," Reimu says with a snort.
>"Oh, you're just jealous at how many crazy faeries it can deal with at once." Marisa answers with a smile.
>Reimu snorts again. "There's a reason I've not used the Youkai Buster since Kanako settled down, you know."
>"I kinda liked that spellcard," says Sanae, frowning.
>"Yeah, of course you would," Reimu replies. "You were on the receiving end. Probably felt like a poet punching you." Reimu then looks back to you. "Anyways, you mentioned two elemental witches? I think I know who you're talking about. Those two were a pain. And...you said sleep gapping?"
>You quickly explain what you mean by it.
>"Yukari can do that?" Marisa asks. "Reimu, Sanae, I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep for awhile."
>"Yeah, that's kinda unsettling," Reimu agrees. "But I'm with a Ran, a nap and a bath would be nice right about now."
>"Um," says Byakuren, looking toward you "When you say Yukari, are you talking about a skinny blonde youkai, who teleports and has a penchant for voyeurism and pickpocketing?"
>...That sounds disturbingly right. Though you wouldn't call someone as well-rounded as Yukari skinny by any means, and you've never seen her pickpocket. As for voyeurism, well, you've never caught her, but you wouldn't put it past her...
>_
-
> "She's blonde, I'll give you that much. Not exactly skinny though, and I haven't seen her pickpocket. Do you remember when you were sealed?"
-
> "She's blonde, I'll give you that much. Not exactly skinny though, and I haven't seen her pickpocket. Do you remember when you were sealed?"
>"I suppose it is a coincidence, then. And no, I am afraid I don't," says Byakuren. "From what Miss Kirisame tells me, there's been a calander change or two since then. But, I imagine it's been for quite a few centuries."
>_
-
> "To be fair, I'm sure it's been a long time since you were sealed. And I don't really know of anyone else who teleports like that, and she has a mischievous streak anyway, so I couldn't really say what she was like before I started serving her around..."
> How long have we been Yukari's shikigami?
-
> "To be fair, I'm sure it's been a long time since you were sealed. And I don't really know of anyone else who teleports like that, and she has a mischievous streak anyway, so I couldn't really say what she was like before I started serving her around..."
> How long have we been Yukari's shikigami?
>"Hmm. Maybe it is the same one, then? I suppose I'll find out soon enough. Regardless, it is a pleasure to meet you."
>You've lost count of how long it's been. A couple centuries, at least.
>The five of you are nearing the edge of the sealed region now. You see no signs of Yuki or Mai, or anyone else really.
>_
-
> "Why, may I ask, were you sealed Miss Hijiri? Certainly whomever did it had a reason of some sort."
-
> "Why, may I ask, were you sealed Miss Hijiri? Certainly whomever did it had a reason of some sort."
>"It is a long story," she says. "Suffice it to say that humans did not approve of that which does not benefit only them; my assisting youkai such as yourself brought their ire upon me."
>_
-
>"It is a long story," she says. "Suffice it to say that humans did not approve of that which does not benefit only them; my assisting youkai such as yourself brought their ire upon me."
>_
> "You aided Youkai? How noble and kind of you, I see why that Shou would speak so kindly of you. I myself already like you much more, as it is rare to find a Human who is willing to aid Youkai."
-
> "I just remembered! Before I was attacked by those witches, I was following a ball of light that seemed to be somewhat sentient. I don't suppose you four have seen anything resembling it?"
-
> "You aided Youkai? How noble and kind of you, I see why that Shou would speak so kindly of you. I myself already like you much more, as it is rare to find a Human who is willing to aid Youkai."
>"Hey," says Reimu. "Moon Incident? That was for you guys. The Kanako incident? What with the Tengu and the Kappa getting agitated? Little respect, please"
>Sanae frowns at the mention of the latter incident.
> "I just remembered! Before I was attacked by those witches, I was following a ball of light that seemed to be somewhat sentient. I don't suppose you four have seen anything resembling it?"
>"Oh I hate that thing!" Sanae says, scrunching her face in disgust. "It's such a pain! All you could really do was wait until it got sick of you and runs off!"
>"Yeah, we saw it, right before we met Biggun," says Reimu. "And on that ship."
>"Hey, don't call me that..." Byakuren says, giving Reimu a hurt look.
>"It flew off somewhere, I have no idea where," says Marisa.
>_
-
> "That's a shame. I was hoping you knew where it was."
-
> "That's a shame. I was hoping you knew where it was."
>"As long as it's out of my hair, it's welcome to stay in Makai," says Reimu. "Speaking of which, you're gonna be able to charge up that ship, right Biggun?"
>Byakuren sighs, and sensing she's not going to win that battle, nods.
>_
-
> "Reimu, when I say Humans who help Youkai are rare, I mean it. Although, I seem to have 4 Humans who help Youkai right here. I thank all of you for every bit of kindness you offer to Youkai." Give a nice heart-warming smile while saying that.
-
> "Reimu, when I say Humans who help Youkai are rare, I mean it. Although, I seem to have 4 Humans who help Youkai right here. I thank all of you for every bit of kindness you offer to Youkai." Give a nice heart-warming smile while saying that.
>"Not so rare," Reimu says, "given you're in the village buying tofu every so often. And I sure don't see anyone chasing the faeries and Rumia out of school."
>"Really?" Byakuren asks, looking between Reimu and you.
>_
-
> "Touche, but I'd class you and Marisa at a much hgher degree of kindness to Youkai. As you said, the Moon Incident."
-
> "Touche, but I'd class you and Marisa at a much hgher degree of kindness to Youkai. As you said, the Moon Incident."
>"Well of course," says Reimu.
>"So, did you get things sorted with Miss Yukari?" Sanae asks.
>_
-
> "Last I saw her, she was still sleeping in the ship so I doubt she has woken up yet."
-
> "Last I saw her, she was still sleeping in the ship so I doubt she has woken up yet."
>"She's on the ship?" Marisa asks, frowning a bit.
>Reimu just sighs. "Why do I have to deal with Yukari after all that. I'm probably already gonna get sick just from being in Makai..."
-
> "Oh don't worry, Lady Yukari is asleep and shouldn't be awake for about a week or so. Unless someone is stupid, or cocky, enough to wake her."
-
> "Oh don't worry, Lady Yukari is asleep and shouldn't be awake for about a week or so. Unless someone is stupid, or cocky, enough to wake her."
>The sighs of relief that Marisa and Reimu give in response to that frankly make your ears bristle a bit. Yukari's not that bad. When she's not drinking. Or in a mood...
>"So, um, you knew Yukari?" Sanae asks Byakuren. The woman nods in response. "Did the two of you get along?"
>"Hmmm, in a sense, if we speak of the same person" says Byakuren. "She tried to rob me a few times. I could catch her pretty easily. She wasn't a bad person, just a little self-centered and prone to ignore others. But she didn't really have much malice in her heart. We spoke a few times."
>_
-
> Do we happen to have a picture of Yukari on ourself? Like a locket?
> "Reimu, Marisa, what may I ask, is so bad about Lady Yukari? I might not be seeing it since I have served her for so long, so please, enlighten me."
-
> Do we happen to have a picture of Yukari on ourself? Like a locket?
> "Reimu, Marisa, what may I ask, is so bad about Lady Yukari? I might not be seeing it since I have served her for so long, so please, enlighten me."
>You do not.
>"She comes and goes whenever she pleases with no regard to what you're actually doing" Marisa says.
>"Drinks up all the tea." Reimu adds.
>"Always wants a favor," says Marisa.
>"Speaks in riddles and won't be direct about anything you want her to be," Reimu says.
>"Somehow both infuriatingly polite and tactless at the same time"
>"Won't keep her hands to herself."
>You're getting the feeling they could go on...
>_
-
> "Oh... well I am truely sorry for any and all trouble she has caused you two." Give a polite bow.
> How close are we to the ship?
-
> "Oh... well I am truely sorry for any and all trouble she has caused you two." Give a polite bow.
> How close are we to the ship?
>"You don't have to apologize for her," says Reimu, waving your gesture off. "But thanks, I appreciate it."
>You can't see it yet, but now that you're back in Makai proper, you don't think it should be too far away.
>_
-
> How much money do we have on us? If any, how much do we need to keep for some reason?
-
> How much money do we have on us? If any, how much do we need to keep for some reason?
>You do not have any on you at the moment. You do have about 300☼ at home, but only 25☼ is really there for you to spend. The rest is for the household, and would have to be replaced.
>_
-
> Head back to the ship
-
> Head back to the ship
>You head back toward the ship.
>It doesn't take long for the vessel to come back into view. Seemingly empowered by the sight of it, Byakuren takes to the air on her own and darts ahead, if a bit unsteadily. Ichirin, on deck, notices her first and shouts to the others. Murasa, Shou, and Nazrin appear moments later, and gather around Byakuren as she lands; though Nazrin stands back a bit. The other three practically mob Byakuren with hugs and greetings that run together into an excited babble.
>Looking back to your other companions, you can see that Marisa looks practically ready to weep at the scene, while Sanae smiles widely. Reimu shakes her head at it all, but you can see a little smile on her lips as well.
>_
-
> Smile and hold back a few tears.
-
> Smile and hold back a few tears.
>It really does touch your heart a bit. Marisa is wiping her eyes with a sleeve.
>Nazrin approaches the crowd mobbing Byakuren. You can't hear what she's saying, but you expect she's introducing herself as the tumult dies down a bit.
>Reimu and Sanae settle down on deck, a polite distance from the tearful reunion. Marisa follows after a moment.
>_
-
> Get on the ship as well, also avoiding interrupting the reunion.
-
> Get on the ship as well, also avoiding interrupting the reunion.
>You touch down on the ship, while the reunion continues unabated; Byakuren drawing Nazrin into the hug, although Nazrin clearly looks a bit uncomfortable with it. A number of faeries are gathering overhead; the crew if you recall correctly.
>"I guess it's time to rest up," says Sanae. "I wonder if there's anything good to eat onboard?"
>_
-
> "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to check on Master."
> Go below decks and check on Yukari.
-
> "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to check on Master."
> Go below decks and check on Yukari.
>You excuse yourself and head below decks.
>There, you find Yukari, sleeping soundly in her hammock. She seems quite fine, save for the blanket being a little off kilter, and having some rogue fibers from it stuck to her.
>_
-
> Wait for arrival back in Gensokyo.
-
> Wait for arrival back in Gensokyo.
>You decide there's little to do but wait. You settle down on your stool next to Yukari and make yourself comfortable...
>Someone is shaking you. "Hey, you gonna stay here all day?"
>_
-
> "Huh?"
> Look up to see who's shaking us.
> "Did you... Need something?"
-
> "Huh?"
> Look up to see who's shaking us.
> "Did you... Need something?"
>You look up, and see Ichirin. "Well, I thought you wanted to take your master home," she says. "We just got back a bit ago. I thought you had slipped out until I came down here."
>_
-
> "...I must have been more tired than I thought. Thank you Ichirin, I must have drifted off."
> Pick up Yukari and take her back home.
> Get some more well-earned rest if there's a chance.
-
> "...I must have been more tired than I thought. Thank you Ichirin, I must have drifted off."
> Pick up Yukari and take her back home.
> Get some more well-earned rest if there's a chance.
>"Well, you've helped us a lot," says Ichirin, "So it's no wonder you're a little bit worn out. Thank you."
>You gather up Yukari, who is still snoozing away, and exit the ship.
>Stepping onto the deck, it is almost a little blinding to be back under blue skies and a proper sun. Looking around, you can see that the ship has landed in a tall, grassy field. Byakuren is some short distance away, laying in the grass and watching the sky. You don't know where the rest of the crew is, and it seems all but a few of the faeries have scattered. Looking around a bit more, you see human town to the north, which would put your home just a short walk to the south. How kind of them!
>You start for home, enjoying the light breeze in your ears. "Ran?" Yukai mutters. Looking down, you see her eyes are half open, and seem a bit unfocused.
>_
-
> "Oh, you're finally awake. You know, I traveled all across Gensokyo AND Makai to keep track of you while you were asleep. I must admit, I was somewhat surprised by the sleep-gapping..."
-
> "Good morning, or afternoon, Lady Yukari. How was your sleep?"
-
> "Oh, you're finally awake. You know, I traveled all across Gensokyo AND Makai to keep track of you while you were asleep. I must admit, I was somewhat surprised by the sleep-gapping..."
>"Oh," she says. You're pretty sure she didn't get all that. "We're...outside?"
> "Good morning, or afternoon, Lady Yukari. How was your sleep?"
>"Mmmm, I had the best dream...saw an old friend."
>_
-
> "Yes, we are. I was just taking you home. There's... A lot to explain really, so I think I'll hold it off until we get there."
-
> "Yes, we are. I was just taking you home. There's... A lot to explain really, so I think I'll hold it off until we get there."
>"Mmmkay," she says, as she snuggles up against you.
>_
-
> "You look rather cute like that :)"
-
> "You look rather cute like that :)"
>"I always do," she says.
>You reach the front door of your home. It's rather quiet, so you don't think Chen is home yet, she tends to leave the windows open.
>_
-
> Yukari is still in her minimal(coughcoughnonecoughcough) clothing correct?
> If so, point that our to Yukari and offer to help her into some proper clothing.
-
> Yukari is still in her minimal(coughcoughnonecoughcough) clothing correct?
> If so, point that our to Yukari and offer to help her into some proper clothing.
>She has not spontaneously manifested any more clothing, no.
>"Nah," she says, "too nice a day..."
>_
-
> Well, we're probably used to dealing with this by now so...
> Go on inside, and then begin explaining what happened to Yukari.
-
> Well, we're probably used to dealing with this by now so...
> Go on inside, and then begin explaining what happened to Yukari.
>You're very used to it. After all, you've been carrying her and she's been snuggling against you, and it's not bothered you at all. ...Mostly.
>You head inside. "Bed," Yukari mutters. You take her back to her room and put her back in bed. Then you begin explaining what happened. She nods along sleepily, and you aren't sure she's getting everything. But as you begin to mention the parts about Byakuren, she seems a lot more attentive. Still drowsy, but attentive. "Oh, I've worried you so much, haven't I?" she says. "You look ragged, and you lost your cap..."
>_
-
> "My cap?"
> Feel on top of head
> "Oh, so much has happened that I completely forgot about it..."
-
> "My cap?"
> Feel on top of head
> "Oh, so much has happened that I completely forgot about it..."
>Yukari chuckles, then yawns. "Too early," she mumbles. "I'll go visit Hijiri later." She snuggles into bed. "You look beat, too. Wanna hop in?"
>_
-
> Take her up on the offer. We were all over the place today.
-
> Take her up on the offer. We were all over the place today.
>You're...pretty sure there's no innuendo involved. She's too weary for that. Probably. Maybe.
>You climb into the futon with Yukari. She snuggles up into your tails, and is more or less motionless. Yeah, nothing is going to happen unless you make the first move. And it really nice to just lay down...
>_
-
> Drift off into peaceful slumber
-
> Drift off into peaceful slumber
>You drift off, Yukari cuddling against you. It's so nice to take a load off...
>Some time later, you become aware of later afternoon light shining in through the window. You are also away that you're entangled in Yukari, who is snoring lightly and resting her head against your shoulder.
>_
-
> Attempt to disentangle.
-
> Attempt to disentangle.
>This will be difficult, she's got one of her arms around your waste. her head on your shoulder, and her legs twisted up in your tails; your third one's gone numb...
>_
-
> Whisper "Heh, never thought this would happen ;)"
> Gently and slowly take her arm off of our waist, then try to untangle Yukari and our tails.
-
> Whisper "Heh, never thought this would happen ;)"
> Gently and slowly take her arm off of our waist, then try to untangle Yukari and our tails.
>You want to say this, but you know the truth is otherwise. This isn't the first time, you were just too tired, and maybe a little too eager to snuggle with Yukari, to really think about it.
>You gently remove Yukari's arm, work your tails out as well as you can, and then slowly slide away. Yukari gently flops down onto your spot.
>_
-
> Check if Chen is around.
-
> Check if Chen is around.
>You check around the house, swishing your tails about to try to get blood flowing back into #3, and find no sign of Chen. It's not unheard of her to stay out this late, but she tends to be back about this time hoping for dinner.
>You notice the floating ship is still out in the field.
>_
-
> Can we communicate with Chen through that Shikigami-telepathy osrt of thing?
> What would be something for dinner that Chen, Yukari and ourself would like? Do we have the ingredients in the amounts needed to prepare said meal or meals?
-
> Can we communicate with Chen through that Shikigami-telepathy osrt of thing?
> What would be something for dinner that Chen, Yukari and ourself would like? Do we have the ingredients in the amounts needed to prepare said meal or meals?
>Not very well. Chen really isn't strong enough to do that kind of thing well, you have to know roughly where she is, as well.
>Yukari is marvelously unpicky about what she eats, as long as it's well made. Chen likes fish, likes rice, and hates vegetables. You yourself are also a carnivore. You still have that craving for cheeseburgers lingering about, but you have no idea where you'd get the beef...
>_
-
> Ponder on what some fish and/or rice based/related recipes we know that don't use/use very few vegtables.
-
> Ponder on what some fish and/or rice based/related recipes we know that don't use/use very few vegtables.
>You know dozens of them. You aren't known as one of Gensokyo's best housekeepers without reason. But you don't have the ingredients to make anything exception at home.
>_
-
> Make a list of ingredients needed for one of the dishes that is somewhat easy to prepare properly that does not involve veggie's.
> Once list is complete, make ourself presentable, or at least not messy. Combing our hair, making sure their isn't any filth on our clothes or tails or someother part, ect.
-
> Make a list of ingredients needed for one of the dishes that is somewhat easy to prepare properly that does not involve veggie's.
> Once list is complete, make ourself presentable, or at least not messy. Combing our hair, making sure their isn't any filth on our clothes or tails or someother part, ect.
>Will this list be limited to ingredients onhand, or will foraging on the horizon?
>You change clothes and comb your hair. Your tails are still a bit frazzled, but you'll need help with those, your arms just can't reach everything. Still, you look much better than before.
>_
-
> We can forage if we have to.
-
> We can forage if we have to.
>You decide that you're open to foraging. It would be a good night, you think, for onigiri. You shouldn't have to make too much, as it seems Yukari is down for the count. But on the other hand, a few extra wouldn't hurt just in case. You have most of what you need for it, save for the fish.
>You could try to get some fish from the kappa, but it's late in the day and it might be expensive. Or you could try your luck at Kourindou, sometimes there are fish there. And if all else fails, there's some preserved fish here. Not that great, honestly, but it'll do.
>_
-
> Try for the kappa anyway.
-
> How good are we at fishing?
-
> Try for the kappa anyway.
>You decide to see what the Kappa have.
>You leave the house, and head east toward the mountain. You pass through the forest at its base with little problem; the Aki Sisters are seldom active this time of year, and even when they are it's rarely a problem for you. Hina you find outside her house, talking with Lily White. Hmm, Lily ought to be doing her runs very soon, shouldn't she? it's certainly warm enough today.
>You reach the outskirts of Kappa Town. It's a familiar sight, with its small, round houses with back doors that open into the river, omnipresent cattails and cucumber patches. At the far end of town, you can see Nitori's Warehouse. You can see a few kappa milling about; the ones you are interested in in particular are by the river.
>As you consider things, you here a distinct click and whirr. Glancing over, you see familiar grinning face of Aya as she approaches you.
> How good are we at fishing?
>You're pretty decent, but it takes time.
>_
-
> "Ah, hello Aya. I suppose I should be thankful that the only thing off about me right now is the frazzled tails."
> "What are you up to?"
-
> "Ah, hello Aya. I suppose I should be thankful that the only thing off about me right now is the frazzled tails."
> "What are you up to?"
>She snaps another picture. "Oh, nothing much. Just that a little celestial told me you were messing around with the treasure ship, and I was hoping for some comments."
>_
-
> "Now, out of respect, you will need to speak with those on board said "treasure ship" before I tell anything notable. I can tell you, however, they were trying to save a very kind person from unjust punishment. I am willing to tell you more at a later time, but unless you speak to them, I will not give much more then what I have given you."
> "Now, I'll need to be going, I need to buy a few things." Bow politly, and if nothing else comes up, continue heading into the kappa village.
-
> "Now, out of respect, you will need to speak with those on board said "treasure ship" before I tell anything notable. I can tell you, however, they were trying to save a very kind person from unjust punishment. I am willing to tell you more at a later time, but unless you speak to them, I will not give much more then what I have given you."
> "Now, I'll need to be going, I need to buy a few things." Bow politly, and if nothing else comes up, continue heading into the kappa village.
>You tell her to talk to other people first, bow, and make your way into the Kappa Village. Aya merely follows you, scribbling away on her notepad. "Would you like to comment on your suspicious reluctance to speak about the situation?"
>_
-
> "It's mostly respect. If they are willing to give you info, so am I, but at the same time, I do not want to reveal anything they may not want revealed."
-
> "It's mostly respect. If they are willing to give you info, so am I, but at the same time, I do not want to reveal anything they may not want revealed."
>More scribblings.
>"Ah, so you believe they have something to hide?"
-
> "No, more like they might not want every last detail about them spread. If you go speak with them, you could very well get plenty of info."
-
> "No, more like they might not want every last detail about them spread. If you go speak with them, you could very well get plenty of info."
>"Oh, of course," says Aya, scribbling away. "But it's also important to collect the views and experiences of residents and people on the scene as well, don't you think?"
>_
-
> "While that may be, wouldn't one want to interview the people directly involved with the event first?"
-
> "While that may be, wouldn't one want to interview the people directly involved with the event first?"
>She flashes a smile. "When their guard is down."
>_
-
> "Well, one of them is big. Like, almost as big as Marisa!"
-
> Smile back.
> "I'd say their guard is down enough considering they haven't met you yet."
-
> "Well, one of them is big. Like, almost as big as Marisa!"
>"...Dear Kanako." says Aya. "I'll have to get a different lens..."
> Smile back.
> "I'd say their guard is down enough considering they haven't met you yet."
>"Perhaps. But at this point, your attempts to evade are so interesting, as well. Would this have anything to do with the your suspicious lack of cap?"
>_
-
> "My 'evasion' probably has something to do with the fact that no matter what I say, you will find a way to misrepresent it, as you always do. Perhaps you should ask someone how you could get your newspaper to be taken seriously before you start bombarding people with questions and just send more when they aren't in a mood to talk."
-
> "My 'evasion' probably has something to do with the fact that no matter what I say, you will find a way to misrepresent it, as you always do. Perhaps you should ask someone how you could get your newspaper to be taken seriously before you start bombarding people with questions and just send more when they aren't in a mood to talk."
>"Misinterpretation is just the cry of people who let slip what the wanted to hide," says Aya. Then she shrugs. "But alright, be like that. Just understand the most damning thing in cases like this is silence. I suppose you won't believe me, though."
>_
-
> "...Are you really that stupid? Nearly everything has more than one way to be interpreted. The way that you want it to be isn't necessarily the way it actually is. But if you want to know how things went? Fine. I'll tell you."
> "I found out that Yukari was missing, went all across Gensokyo to find her, found out that she was gapping in her sleep, had to search her out multiple times before she gapped me into Makai with her, then I had to search for somewhere for her to rest. I saw the ship and they let me rest there. I then went to see what was going on at the seal, stopped two youkai from ambushing Reimu and Marisa..."
> "Now, do you want to waste any more of my time after all of that? You can get the details from someone who doesn't have more valuable things to do with their time than talk to a stubborn reporter who refuses to see the world any way other than how she wants to."
-
> "...Are you really that stupid? Nearly everything has more than one way to be interpreted. The way that you want it to be isn't necessarily the way it actually is. But if you want to know how things went? Fine. I'll tell you."
> "I found out that Yukari was missing, went all across Gensokyo to find her, found out that she was gapping in her sleep, had to search her out multiple times before she gapped me into Makai with her, then I had to search for somewhere for her to rest. I saw the ship and they let me rest there. I then went to see what was going on at the seal, stopped two youkai from ambushing Reimu and Marisa..."
> "Now, do you want to waste any more of my time after all of that? You can get the details from someone who doesn't have more valuable things to do with their time than talk to a stubborn reporter who refuses to see the world any way other than how she wants to."
>"Oh, very much so. But you realize that applies equally to you. Well, more than equally. You've not devoted your life to ferreting these things out as I have, so there's a definite edge of learning and experience on my side of the equation."
>She writes rather furiously, then says, "See, what that so hard? And I doubt I would have gotten much of that from anyone else. And there's so many more things I could ask. Has Yukari done this before? What was it like in Makai? Who were those two who were trying to lay the ambush?"
>You reach the stands at the edge of the river. You note three of them selling useful fish; one has bass, another bluegills, and a third lampreys.
>_
-
> "I honestly do not knwo wether or not Yukari has done this before, so I'll assume she hasn't. Makai was different from Gensokyo, that is certain. But it's definately a nice place for the most part with plenty of nice enough people, the two who ambushed me being the only real downside. The two who ambushed me refered to eachother as Yuki and Mai."
-
> "I honestly do not knwo wether or not Yukari has done this before, so I'll assume she hasn't. Makai was different from Gensokyo, that is certain. But it's definately a nice place for the most part with plenty of nice enough people, the two who ambushed me being the only real downside. The two who ambushed me refered to eachother as Yuki and Mai."
>She writes furiously.
>"Is Miss Yukari in good health? What sorts of things did she do while sleep gapping? Are you worried about those two youkai? Do you think there is any chance of another incident with Makaians coming to Gensokyo?"
>_
-
> "Yukari has shown no signs of illness. I wasn't with her for much of the time, so I would not know just what she did. As for the youkai I confronted... Not really. They weren't much of a threat when I faced them then, and that was with many of my spellcards expended already. As for the chances of Makaians coming to Gensokyo... No, I do not believe that there is any notable risk. There are always chances of strange things happening, such as someone being struck by a meteor from the sky, but such chances are negligible enough that even those who recognize it find no cause to worry. Truly, I saw no evidence that would suggest such a thing might happen, so I would recommend not worrying."
> "Also, miss Shameimaru, some friendly advice, as I have no ill will against you, even as irritable as I may have seemed. You may wish to try and examine all the possibilities relating to something you know, and try to look at what is most likely, rather than what seems the most interesting. If you truly wish to reveal the truth, then stating conjecture as fact does nothing of the sort. Perhaps state what you actually know, and list a few possibilities? There also are people who happen to just value their privacy. Something doesn't have to be shady for someone to not wish the world to know, and perhaps they would just rather not spend their time explaining things that they don't believe important?"
> "Make of that what you will. I'm not asking for you to tell me why you do as you do right now. As much as I enjoy a good debate, I currently would like to get back to gathering the ingredients for the meal I plan on making once I return home. And if you have more questions... Perhaps we can schedule another interview later?"
-
> "Yukari has shown no signs of illness. I wasn't with her for much of the time, so I would not know just what she did. As for the youkai I confronted... Not really. They weren't much of a threat when I faced them then, and that was with many of my spellcards expended already. As for the chances of Makaians coming to Gensokyo... No, I do not believe that there is any notable risk. There are always chances of strange things happening, such as someone being struck by a meteor from the sky, but such chances are negligible enough that even those who recognize it find no cause to worry. Truly, I saw no evidence that would suggest such a thing might happen, so I would recommend not worrying."
> "Also, miss Shameimaru, some friendly advice, as I have no ill will against you, even as irritable as I may have seemed. You may wish to try and examine all the possibilities relating to something you know, and try to look at what is most likely, rather than what seems the most interesting. If you truly wish to reveal the truth, then stating conjecture as fact does nothing of the sort. Perhaps state what you actually know, and list a few possibilities? There also are people who happen to just value their privacy. Something doesn't have to be shady for someone to not wish the world to know, and perhaps they would just rather not spend their time explaining things that they don't believe important?"
> "Make of that what you will. I'm not asking for you to tell me why you do as you do right now. As much as I enjoy a good debate, I currently would like to get back to gathering the ingredients for the meal I plan on making once I return home. And if you have more questions... Perhaps we can schedule another interview later?"
>She writes down things more furiously.
>"Maybe you should take your own advice on assumptions and presumptions?" Aya says, waggling a finger at you. "With an extra note of I don't tell you how to clean house or make dinner. Anyways, this should do for now. Thank you for your time, Miss Yakumo!"
>With that she speeds away.
>_
-
> Why in the world would you tell Aya of all people that Yukari gaps in her sleep? That's probably the biggest mistake you've made in recent memory.
> Inquire about bass and bluefish
-
> Why in the world would you tell Aya of all people that Yukari gaps in her sleep? That's probably the biggest mistake you've made in recent memory.
> Inquire about bass and bluefish
>Oh hell. You did tell that to Aya. ...You might have to do something about that.
>You inquire at the stand selling Bass, it is being run by an older kappa with streaks of gray in her hair and a permanent sour look. "Oh, hello there!" she says. "I caught a few whoppers today, would you like one? Plenty to feed the family with, and leftovers for tomorrow~"
>"Don't even bother with those things," says the Bluegill seller, a younger kappa with her hair styled into a number of tails and a grin that is uncomfortably close to Yukari's grin when she's planning something bad. "They're all tough and stringy this time of year. Didn't even give them a second glance myself. Now these fishies? Nice and tender. They'll melt right in your mouth."
>"Oh pish tosh," says the sour-faced older kappa. "You'd have to pay twice as much to get the amount of meat one of my bass has with those little things. And stringy? Perhaps if you cook them like a fool."
>_
-
> What are we using the fish for?
> Lament telling Aya about Yukari's habit. Vow to speak with Reimu about what to do.
-
> What are we using the fish for?
> Lament telling Aya about Yukari's habit. Vow to speak with Reimu about what to do.
>Onigiri. You could use either of them for it, really.
>You think Reimu would probably have an idea of what to do about Aya. The two tolerate each other for some reason.
>_
-
> And Reimu already knows about Yukari's sleep-gapping, so that's a plus.
> "Which of these fish will keep longer and better?"
-
> And Reimu already knows about Yukari's sleep-gapping, so that's a plus.
> "Which of these fish will keep longer and better?"
>Also a plus.
>"Smaller ones always keep longer," says the bluegill seller.
>"But once you cut them up, it doesn't matter so much," the bass seller adds. "It's about how big the stuff left over is, now how big the fish was to start. Besides, you can always dry the leftovers if its a problem."
>_
-
> How much is the bass and the bluefish?
-
> "Which would be better for onigiri, or a similar dish?"
> "What would be the price on your fish, bluegill and bass?"
-
> How much is the bass and the bluefish?
>Bass seems to be 12☼ each, Bluegill 5☼ each. You would probably need one bass or three bluegill.
> "Which would be better for onigiri, or a similar dish?"
> "What would be the price on your fish, bluegill and bass?"
>"Oh, bluegill for sure," says the younger kappa. She shakes her head, sending her hair-tails waggling like a wind chime. "Bass is too stringy right now."
>"Either will do," says the older kappa.
>_
-
> What could we do with one bluefish? Snacks?
-
> What could we do with one bluefish? Snacks?
>You could feed yourself, given what a busy day it's been. Maybe Chen with a little left over, if she's not in a ravenous mindset.
>_
-
> Could we buy a bass for onigiri and a bluefish for a light lunch tomorrow/our own personal consumption?
-
> Could we buy a bass for onigiri and a bluefish for a light lunch tomorrow/our own personal consumption?
>You certainly could.
>_
-
> How much money do we have on us?
-
> How much money do we have on us?
>Shit you left the household money at home, nice job.
>You are of course a very intelligent person and wouldn't dream of going shopping without bringing a little household money with you. You have 20☼ with you. There is 300☼ overall in the household money, including that 20☼. You can use 25☼ of it however you like, the rest is ostensibly for the home. You could borrow it, but you'd need to pay it back.
>_
-
> Hm, better not spend that much, even if we are hungry. Just buy the bass.
-
> Hm, better not spend that much, even if we are hungry. Just buy the bass.
>You obtain: Bass!
>"Thank you very much," says the sour-faced old kappa as she takes your money.
>_
-
> Head home to deposit our fish, since we'd rather not be carrying around a fish for longer than we have to.
> Inventory an examine
> Quests and examine
> Skills and examine
-
> Head home to deposit our fish, since we'd rather not be carrying around a fish for longer than we have to.
> Inventory an examine
> Quests and examine
> Skills and examine
>You head straight home, and place the fish on the counter.
>Your Inventory Contains
>Long-sleeved robe: (Worn as clothes)
>Your favorite robe; its sleeves are perfect for concealing your hands.
>Shikigami: Wizard Fox Thoughts (Significantly expended)
>It creates thick leafy danmaku that one must move very little to endure.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Fox-Tanuki Youkai Laser (expended)
>An aimed burst of danmaku that leaves lasers in its wake.
>5 Ruined Spellcards
>These Spellcards have been ruined by water and are now useless.
>Shikigami's Radiance: Charming Siege from All Sides (Expended)
>Entraps your foe on all sides, forcing the them backwards if they wish to survive.
>Shikigami's Shot: Unilateral Contact (Expended)
>Sends out many shots, then has them rotate quickly.
>Illusion God: Descent of Izuna Gongen (Water damaged)
>A spellcard that starts simply, and slowly piles on more and more shots until there is hardly any space left.
>Your Quests are:
>Repo Ran
>Sanae owes Rinnosuke a shipment of Red Lily Pads. She is either to deliver today, or return the payment. Rinnosuke does not care which.
>Information Wants to be Free
>Aya knows that Yukari has been sleepwalking and sleepgapping. You must find a way to keep her from printing this!
>Your skills are:
>Premier Housemaking
>You can keep a home like no other.
>Mathematitastic
>Your skills at math are top notch
>Black Magicmatics
>You are very knowledgeable about black magic.
>Trainspotting.
>You know your trains at a glance
>History
>Your talks with Yukari and personal research give you a good idea of Gensokyo's history.
>Tennis
>You favorite sport!
>_
-
> With Yukari asleep, we won't need to cook for her, right?
> Gather supplies for making onigiri. How many can we make using the one bass?
-
> With Yukari asleep, we won't need to cook for her, right?
> Gather supplies for making onigiri. How many can we make using the one bass?
>If Yukari is asleep, it should be no problem. But you have gotten into the habit of making a little snack for her during these times, just in case.
>You should be able to make a good two dozen with one bass, enough for yourself, Chen, Yukari, and a few extra.
>_
-
> Prepare the onigiri
> Separate the extra and wrap them up somehow to take with us. We can eat later, but we may need to offer Ran's Onigiri to someone today.
-
> Prepare the onigiri
> Separate the extra and wrap them up somehow to take with us. We can eat later, but we may need to offer Ran's Onigiri to someone today.
>A little bribery never hurt anyone, you decide as you get to work preparing the fish and setting the rice to cook.
>As you work, Chen comes home. "Hi, Ran-sama," she says. "Did you find Yukari-sama? I spent all day looking around, but I didn't see her at all! In fact, I didn't even see anyone who saw her. And there's a boat in the yard. And some lady out in there who's really, really big watching the sunset!"
>_
-
> "I did find Yukari, she's back in the bedroom asleep again."
> Tell Chen about our day until our return with Yukari.
-
> "I did find Yukari, she's back in the bedroom asleep again."
> Tell Chen about our day until our return with Yukari.
>"Oh that's great! I was really, really worried..."
>You summarize your trip to Makai. "Oh no fair!" says Chen, "You got to go to Makai and see goats and plan danmaku with weird people and ride on a flying ship and play on a covered bridge!"
>_
-
> Chuckle and rub Chen's head.
> "Sorry Chen, but it was actually pretty dangerous. Tell me about you day."
-
> Chuckle and rub Chen's head.
> "Sorry Chen, but it was actually pretty dangerous. Tell me about you day."
>"Well I played Card battles a lot! I even beat Daiyousei! She swore vengeance upon my entire house! I don't know how she'll get revenge on a house, though. Then you came, and then I went to the shrine just like you said, but no luck. Then I went and spent the rest of the day searching the forest for Yukari-sama. I asked faeries to help, but they were too busy being faeries or they hadn't seen anything. Then I came home."
>_
-
> How's the onigiri coming along?
> If it's done, offer some to Chen.
-
> How's the onigiri coming along?
> If it's done, offer some to Chen.
>You've just about got it there. A few more pats, a bit of seaweed, and...there's one!
>You offer it to Chen. "Yay!" she says, accepting it and taking a huge bite from it. "Thanksh Ran-shama"
>_
-
> Continue to make onigiri until we've made our 2 dozen.
> Once finished, offer Chen her usual amount.
-
> Continue to make onigiri until we've made our 2 dozen.
> Once finished, offer Chen her usual amount.
>The task is swiftly completed, you're an old hand at this.
>You set the plate on the table, following it up with some dishes and water to drink. Simple night. Chen takes another one and starts tearing into it.
>There are some noises from Yukari's room, followed by her shuffling out and plopping down on her pillow. ""Merf furgle..." she mutters, her eyes half closed. You frown. She's going to be sleeping fitfully it seems; she heard the plate on the table and came more or less out of instinct. She's awake, just not very coherent right now. You can get her to say some funny things at times like these when you're in a playful mood.
>_
-
> Prepare a plate of onigiri and some water for Yukari and set them before her.
> "Mistress, Chen spent her day looking for you, can you tell her "Gobble Gabble Geeble Blort?""
-
>Oh shit, Yuki was hiding under the table!
>You have been shanked.
>It is a shame your journey has come to an end here.