Hikikomori Quest - Remaking my Life: Part 8

[Tashi]

Kiku-chan:

>"Me ?"
>Look surprised.
>"Alright..."
>Head inside.

> You head inside the mansion. Everything as ominous as always.

Niji Green:

>Head there !
>"M-Miss Koa ! Please, i need your help !"

> You approach to Koakuma.
> "E-Eh?" She looks at you. "W-What's happening?"

Niji-chan:

>"I guess... but why not me too ?"

> "You don't look so much like a child..." Keine says.
> "What about her?" Reimu points to Bastet. "She's clearly looks like a child."

Daiko:

>Remember that, even if it's crucial to finding out the culprit, we cannot talk about the machine. We promised. No, we did more than that. We signed a contract.

> You recall that confidential contract you signed... and that's some serious business. You make sure to keep your mouth shout about it.
> _

[Monarda]

Niji Green:

>"All the children in the Village went missing during the night ! And nobody knows how or why ! And with them... Yuudachi disappeared too..."
>Cry a bit.

Bastet-chan:

>"Um... maybe because of my ears and tail ?"

Kiku-chan:

>Head to the library.

[Neovereign]

//Also, we were told by Remi herself that it's used for "Clones"

Daiko:

>Turn to Bastet.
>"I wish I could know how it would be possible for me to use energy for the wishes instead of you."

Bastet:

>"Huh? What?"
>Grant the wish? Him using the energy?

[Tashi]

Niji Green:

>"All the children in the Village went missing during the night ! And nobody knows how or why ! And with them... Yuudachi disappeared too..."
>Cry a bit.

> Koakuma frowns worriedly.
> "C-Calm down... Please... Can I help with something...?"

//Also, we were told by Remi herself that it's used for "Clones"

Daiko:

>Turn to Bastet.
>"I wish I could know how it would be possible for me to use energy for the wishes instead of you."

Bastet:

>"Huh? What?"
>Grant the wish? Him using the energy?

> You try to grant the wish...
> ... It doesn't work. You think it may get "stacked", since Daiko can already use the energy.

Bastet-chan:

>"Um... maybe because of my ears and tail ?"

> "But then the fairies wouldn't have to disappear too." Reimu explains.
> "... Hey..." A man speaks.
> "Uh?" Sakura asks.
> "... Sakura-san... I remember... that red head girl that some times come with that maid..."
> "W-What about it?"
> "... I remember that she went to your house yesterday."
> Everyone looks at your group.
> "... Please tell us you guys don't helped them in this..."
> "What?! No!"

Kiku-chan:

>Head to the library.

> You make your way to the library. It doesn't take so much time.
> Sakuya, Patchouli, Niji and Koakuma are there.
> _

[Monarda]

Niji-chan:

>"Oh you mean Miss Koakuma ? No, she didn't do anything, our investigation is showing nothing about her being involved at all."

Niji Green:

>Relax a bit.
>"Did you see anything odd ? You saw me with that doll on the corridor right ? That's Yuudachi, Miss Alice gave life to her and i have been caring for her ever since..."
>Look down.
>"Plus... everyone at the village thinks that the Mansion did this..."

Kiku-chan:

>"Miss Sakuya ! Did Niji tell you what happened ?"

[Tashi]

Niji-chan:

>"Oh you mean Miss Koakuma ? No, she didn't do anything, our investigation is showing nothing about her being involved at all."

> "And what about this card?" The other man shows it.
> "You are jumping to conclusions too fast. We just can't do that in a situation like this." Keine explains.
> "But we can't be here doing nothing! Those are kids with a long life ahead! We can't let that vampire rip that off!"
> "Yeah!" The other villagers agree.
> Reimu sighs and turns to your group. "I want to talk with all of you in private."

Niji Green:

>Relax a bit.
>"Did you see anything odd ? You saw me with that doll on the corridor right ? That's Yuudachi, Miss Alice gave life to her and i have been caring for her ever since..."
>Look down.
>"Plus... everyone at the village thinks that the Mansion did this..."

> "W-What? We didn't do anything!" Koakuma frowns.
> "Hm?" Patchouli looks at you. "Are people really pointing at us? For what reason?"

Kiku-chan:

>"Miss Sakuya ! Did Niji tell you what happened ?"

> Sakuya nods. "More or less. Can we have more details, though? The village accusing us from such thing from the very beginning is unnacceptable." She frowns.
> _

[Monarda]

Kiku-chan:

>"It appears some kind of presentation card with a Bat symbol was found over there, plus they also associate the fact that we go there constantly to shop... and they also feel uneasy with the fact Koa came with me back home for a visit..."

Niji Green:

>"Plus, we used some special magic like Miss Sanae's, and it told us that the fairies, the children and Yuudachi are in some Mansion, it didn't tell us which though... are there any others besides this one or Eientei around ?"

Niji-chan:

>"We don't even know if that card is truly hers, there is no name on it after all, and you are all forgetting one huge thing that doesn't make sense..."

[Tashi]

Kiku-chan:

>"It appears some kind of presentation card with a Bat symbol was found over there, plus they also associate the fact that we go there constantly to shop... and they also feel uneasy with the fact Koa came with me back home for a visit..."

> Sakuya frowns, thoughtfully.

Niji Green:

>"Plus, we used some special magic like Miss Sanae's, and it told us that the fairies, the children and Yuudachi are in some Mansion, it didn't tell us which though... are there any others besides this one or Eientei around ?"

> "I don't think so..." Sakuya replies.
> "Neither I do..." Koakuma shakes her head. "A bat card? We never did something like that, did we?"
> "That sounds... like Remilia... but she didn't cared about such thing, as far as I know." Patchouli shrugs.

Niji-chan:

>"We don't even know if that card is truly hers, there is no name on it after all, and you are all forgetting one huge thing that doesn't make sense..."

> "Hm?" The people ask.
> _

[Monarda]

Niji-chan:

>"This is still an whole village, and kidnapping all the children around here would need an massive amount of workforce, it's not like two or three people can carry ALL the children from this place back there AND do so without leaving any clues... and they don't have the proper workforce to do that."

Kiku-chan:

>"Exactly... were we set up ?"

Niji Green:

>"Oh ! I saw someone weird at the lake earlier today, i told Miss Reimu about it and she said it's someone named Seija and that she is almost always involved into bad things, she was also observing the Mansion as if expecting something to happen too."

Daiko-kun:

>Let's go to Senkai and tell them about what happened.
>Find an crack and do so.

Tsuru:

>We should go and find our magician pals too, they can help out with this.
>Depart to the Forest of Magic to search for them.

Bastet-chan:

>"Did any of you warn the Temple ?"

[Neovereign]

Daiko:

>Don't.
>Reimu just said she wanted to talk to us.
//Will send more actions in a moment. Just want to make sure this gets parsed.

[Tashi]

Niji-chan:

>"This is still an whole village, and kidnapping all the children around here would need an massive amount of workforce, it's not like two or three people can carry ALL the children from this place back there AND do so without leaving any clues... and they don't have the proper workforce to do that."

> "What is your point?" A woman asks. "It's clear that someone not-human had to do this. There were no footsteps in the snow this morning, so the kids couldn't have left."
> "Maybe that's true, but likewise the kidnappers couldn't have entered the houses either. It must had been someone that was inside everyone's houses... and made the kids vanish with them." Sakura says.

Kiku-chan:

>"Exactly... were we set up ?"

> "... It makes me wonder." Sakuya looks at you. "Remember that the villagers looked at us strangely before, right?"

Niji Green:

>"Oh ! I saw someone weird at the lake earlier today, i told Miss Reimu about it and she said it's someone named Seija and that she is almost always involved into bad things, she was also observing the Mansion as if expecting something to happen too."

> "... Excuse me?" Sakuya glances at you. "Who you said it was?"

Daiko-kun:

>Let's go to Senkai and tell them about what happened.
>Find an crack and do so.

> You think it's a good idea to warn the Senkai reside-

Daiko:

>Don't.
>Reimu just said she wanted to talk to us.
//Will send more actions in a moment. Just want to make sure this gets parsed.

> Or not. You remember that Reimu want to talk with your group.

Tsuru:

>We should go and find our magician pals too, they can help out with this.
>Depart to the Forest of Magic to search for them.

Bastet-chan:

>"Did any of you warn the Temple ?"

> You remember about Marisa and Alice... You wonder if they can help...
> You start to flying to the Forest of Magic.

> Some people nod.
> _

[Neovereign]

Tsuru:

>Stop and head back. We need to inform Reimu about what we saw. ESPECIALLY since we're practically the only one who actually witnessed someone unknown in our house.

[Tashi]

Tsuru:

>Stop and head back. We need to inform Reimu about what we saw. ESPECIALLY since we're practically the only one who actually witnessed someone unknown in our house.

> You stop and start heading back.
> Now you are a ping pong ball.
> You remember that strange person that you saw at home... It's going to be worth telling Reimu about it? Hmm...
> _

[Monarda]

Niji-chan:

>"Exactly, aside from Remilia, Miss Sakuya, Miss Meiling the gate keeper, Miss Patchouli and her Assistant Koakuma, all the other members of the staff are fairies."

Kiku-chan:

>"Yeah i do... it was a very odd feeling..."

Niji Green:

>"Someone named Seija."
>Nod.

Bastet-chan:

>"And where are they ?"

[Neovereign]

Tsuru:

>"Hey, Reimu. I saw this person in our, well, Daiko's home last night. It's as if they made no noise, and when we checked where they went, they weren't there. I'm not sure if I was just seeing things, but this happening the same night all the children and those fairies went missing sounds suspicious."

Daiko:

>"I doubt the fairies could get in and out of everyone's homes so silently."
>Futuresight one of Niji's fairy friends if we know how they look.

[Tashi]

Niji-chan:

>"Exactly, aside from Remilia, Miss Sakuya, Miss Meiling the gate keeper, Miss Patchouli and her Assistant Koakuma, all the other members of the staff are fairies."

> "But they can fly, aren't they?" A man points out. "Just like all of you."
> "Yeah... but they had to do noise if they entered the houses..." Sakura says.
> "They have abilities that we don't. It's not impossible for them to be silent."

Kiku-chan:

>"Yeah i do... it was a very odd feeling..."

> "... Now that you say it... People were looking at me like that before too..." Koakuma adds.

Niji Green:

>"Someone named Seija."
>Nod.

> "..." Sakuya let's out an annoyed sigh. "The Amanojaku..."
> "Hmm... It could be a problem if she's here..." Patchouli says, without looking aside of her book.
> "I'm going to alert the Mistress about this."
> Sakuya disappears.

Bastet-chan:

>"And where are they ?"

> "Right here." Kyouko's voice is behind you.

Tsuru:

>"Hey, Reimu. I saw this person in our, well, Daiko's home last night. It's as if they made no noise, and when we checked where they went, they weren't there. I'm not sure if I was just seeing things, but this happening the same night all the children and those fairies went missing sounds suspicious."

> Reimu answers with a little nod. "Can you recall who it was?"

Daiko:

>"I doubt the fairies could get in and out of everyone's homes so silently."
>Futuresight one of Niji's fairy friends if we know how they look.

> You try to future-sight one of the fairies...
> Nothing seems to happen. Not even a vision.
> _

[Monarda]

Niji-chan:

>"Still, fairies don't have the physical strength to carry a human kid like that, two at least would be needed for that, and that many fairies heading in and out of the village would have no doubt caught the attention of someone."

Kiku-chan:

>Nod.
>"They aren't fond of the Scarlet Mansion due to the vampire sister's habits..."

Niji Green:

>"What's so bad about her ?"

Tsuru:

>Try to recall as many details as we can.

Bastet-chan:

>Turn around.

[Tashi]

Niji-chan:

>"Still, fairies don't have the physical strength to carry a human kid like that, two at least would be needed for that, and that many fairies heading in and out of the village would have no doubt caught the attention of someone."

> "I'm talking about the other residents. I doubt some fairies did this." The man says.
> "Niji." Reimu calls. "Come here. And all of you as well." Reimu looks at your family.

Tsuru:

>Try to recall as many details as we can.

> As far as you can remember... it was so quick that you just saw something... orange.

Kiku-chan:

>Nod.
>"They aren't fond of the Scarlet Mansion due to the vampire sister's habits..."

> "N-No, wait... If that's so... t-then that doesn't make sense! Time ago, the villagers were just nice with us! No bad looks or anything... They treated me, Sakuya and Meiling like anyone else..." Koa explains. "W-Why they suddenly act like this?"

Niji Green:

>"What's so bad about her ?"

> "She always do things to go in her favor." Patchouli replies without looking at you. She clears her throat. "No matter the consequences that can happen to others."

Bastet-chan:

>Turn around.

> You turn. Kyouko and Byakuren are here.
> "We are aware of everything." Says Byakuku in a serious tone.
> _

[Neovereign]

Daiko:

>Head over to Reimu.

Others:

>Follow.

[Monarda]

Tsuru:

>And who do we know that has orange on their clothes or hair ?
>"It was so fast... i could only glimpse something orange-colored."

Niji Green:

>"So if they were nice before and then started having bad thoughts of you... then someone altered their way of thinking ? Manipulated their minds ?"

Kiku-chan:

>"Can that Seija fellow do that ?"

[Tashi]

Daiko:

>Head over to Reimu.

Others:

>Follow.

> All of you approach Reimu. Keine and Sakura do the same thing.
> "Listen. These people will not stop pointing to Remilia's mansion." Reimu says.
> "Why?" Asks Sakura.
> "Because they have something that possibly link this to them. We are talking about children, and all of this people don't want anything bad happen to them. They are desperate and they have a clue. They will follow it blindly."
> "Then what do you recommend to do?" Keine asks.
> "Investigate... and quickly." She glances at the crowd. "They might be thinking attack the SDM..."

Tsuru:

>And who do we know that has orange on their clothes or hair ?
>"It was so fast... i could only glimpse something orange-colored."

> You don't remember anyone with those features... ... You think so, at least.
> "Orange-colored, huh..." Reimu thinks.

Niji Green:

>"So if they were nice before and then started having bad thoughts of you... then someone altered their way of thinking ? Manipulated their minds ?"

Kiku-chan:

>"Can that Seija fellow do that ?"

> "She can "flip" things." Patchouli looks at you. "That's pretty much what I know, however."
> "Hmm..." Koakuma thinks.
> _

[Monarda]

Kiku-chan:

>"So maybe she flipped the opinion those people had of us... should we go spy on her ?"

Niji-chan:

>"Um, Miss Reimu, the Mansion Residents told me that this "Seija" person can 'flip' things, if that's so, then maybe she 'flipped' the thoughts of the villagers ?"

Niji Green:

>"I'll go keep an eye on her !"
>Dash back to the entrance in light form !
>How fast are we in light form ?

[Tashi]

Kiku-chan:

>"So maybe she flipped the opinion those people had of us... should we go spy on her ?"

> Patchouli shrugs.
> "I-I don't know, Kiku..."

Niji Green:

>"I'll go keep an eye on her !"
>Dash back to the entrance in light form !
>How fast are we in light form ?

> You quickly transform into light and get back to the entrance.
> You are notably fast. You can easily outrun people. You are nowhere near the speed that Aya showed one time, however.

Niji-chan:

>"Um, Miss Reimu, the Mansion Residents told me that this "Seija" person can 'flip' things, if that's so, then maybe she 'flipped' the thoughts of the villagers ?"

> "I don't know exactly how her ability works, but I don't think she can "flip" the thoughts of the people." Reimu replies.
> _

[Monarda]

Niji Green:

>Well that makes no sense, light is the fastest thing in existence.
>Try to make our light energy blend with the energy from the ambient, as if we were "catching a ride with it".

Kiku-chan:

>"She most likely has a finger on this, this kind of stuff doesn't happen out of the blue."

Niji-chan:

>"Well she was at the shore of the lake before."

[Tashi]

Niji Green:

>Well that makes no sense, light is the fastest thing in existence.
>Try to make our light energy blend with the energy from the ambient, as if we were "catching a ride with it".

> Maybe it's because you aren't exactly "one" with the light itself?
> You try to be a part of the ambient itself, being able to be "as fast as light".
> ...
> It doesn't work.
> You are outside of the gates now. Elly is looking at your light form with curiosity.
> Seija seems to be still sitting down at the shore of the Misty Lake. Wakasagihime is at the other side of the lake, giving her some looks.

Kiku-chan:

>"She most likely has a finger on this, this kind of stuff doesn't happen out of the blue."

> "... But..." Koakuma thinks for a moment. "... Uh... aren't we blaming her a bit too much? We don't even have any solid proof that she has something to do with this..."
> Sakuya and Remilia appear with you three. Remilia is frowning, unamused.

Niji-chan:

>"Well she was at the shore of the lake before."

> You can hear how the crowd of people start to increase their voice tone.
> "We have to retrieve our children from the hands of that vampire! We can't let her get away with this!"
> The rest of people agree.

> "Keine, Byakuren." Reimu glances at both of them.
> "Yes?" Ask both.
> "I want you two to do your best to keep the people of the village under control. You MUST try to avoid them to attack the Scarlet Devil Mansion. That can end in a bath of blood for both sides."
> _

[Monarda]

Kiku-chan:

>"That's true... but if that's not the case... why is she just standing there looking at the Mansion ?"

Niji Green:

>Drat... maybe we just need to learn how...

Niji-chan:

>"I wanna help too !"

[Tashi]

Kiku-chan:

>"That's true... but if that's not the case... why is she just standing there looking at the Mansion ?"

> "I don't have time to investigate and see if that Amanojaku is the problem." Remilia sits down in a chair, rubbing her face, irritated.
> "Mistress...?" Sakuya asks.
> "I knew that something like this was going to happen..." Remilia sighs.

Niji Green:

>Drat... maybe we just need to learn how...

> Maybe it's just matter of practice. It can't be hard, right?
> Elly tries to touch you.
> "... What is this...?" She asks.

Niji-chan:

>"I wanna help too !"

> "Hm?"
> _

[Neovereign]

//If we haven't been told anything about keeping Bastet's ability secret for whatever reason, parse this.

Daiko:

>"Reimu. Bastet's ability seems to be able to grant certain wishes in exchange for making her tired. Do you think there's anything light we could try to help with?"

[Monarda]

Kiku-chan:

>"Look, let's not take desperate measures now, even Reimu said that this needs further investigation, we know that the children were taken to some Mansion, but which ?"

Niji Green:

>"It's me Miss Elly... hey uh... do you know about any other Mansions in Gensokyo ? It's really urgent..."

Niji-chan:

>"Look, we know that the children are in some Mansion, and that the Scarlets and Eientei aren't really a choice..."

[Tashi]

//If we haven't been told anything about keeping Bastet's ability secret for whatever reason, parse this.

Daiko:

>"Reimu. Bastet's ability seems to be able to grant certain wishes in exchange for making her tired. Do you think there's anything light we could try to help with?"

> "Hm?" Reimu glances at you. "What do you mean exactly?"

Kiku-chan:

>"Look, let's not take desperate measures now, even Reimu said that this needs further investigation, we know that the children were taken to some Mansion, but which ?"

> "Oh, I don't know... maybe the ones that are defaming us?" Remilia suggests in a clearly angry tone.
> "Excuse me, Mistress?" Sakuya asks. "Defaming us?"
> "Why, of course!" Remilia crosses of arms and legs. "Defaming us!"

Niji Green:

>"It's me Miss Elly... hey uh... do you know about any other Mansions in Gensokyo ? It's really urgent..."

> Elly jumps as you speak.
> "U-Uh... We lived in Mugenkan, Yuuka's old mansion... but we abandoned it, so..." Elly shrugs a bit. "I don't know about other ones."

Niji-chan:

>"Look, we know that the children are in some Mansion, and that the Scarlets and Eientei aren't really a choice..."

> "This is a mess..." Kyouko says.
> "What are you guys doing here, then? Go investigate! We have to hold back the villagers the most we can!" Sakura says.
> _