> "Oh?"
> Pause and take a look at the ichor.
> Try poking at the ichor with the screwdriver. Assuming it doesn't do anything, go back to cleaning off the vice grips.
> Wipe the tip of the screwdriver on the bedsheet.
> As long as we don't touch the stained parts of the bedsheet, could we use it to clean off the rest of our things?
> Return the screwdriver to the storage space, then.
> Without touching the stained parts of the bedsheet, get to work on cleaning the hourglass and sturdy stick.
> Do the little hand shapes appear to be moving or doing anything?
> Did we see any hand patterns in the suspect Gensokyo?
> As we clean off our things, put them back in the storage gap.
> How's the bedsheet looking now?
> How does Mary seem to be doing?
>Is there any water on the floating islands that we could easily gap to?
> So what now, if anything, needs cleaning aside from the bedsheet?
> Check our fingers again.
> "Well then, that will have to do."
> Put our clean stuff away, if we haven't already. Make sure not to touch any of the root pieces or bits of ichor.
> Take a look at the ichor hands again.
> "Hm!"
> Take the Magnifying Glass back out and inspect the ichor.
> Frown and put the Magnifying Glass away.
> "Well, that was less enlightening than I had hoped."
> Keep an eye on the ichor as we speak.
> "The ichor here is not quite exactly the same as the roots, but they're similar enough. The roots themselves are a...bizarre combination of things. As near as I can tell, they are composed of countless memories, infused with a strong, emotionless desire to destroy, and mixed with a very fundamental form of faith."
> "What what?"
> "That does seem to be how it has physically manifested, yes. I'm not sure how or why, though."
> "That's a very good question."
> Has the ichor oozed any further?
> "It does, doesn't it?"
> Inspecting the ichor with the Magnifying Glass didn't reveal any suggestion as to why the ichor would be moving seemingly on its own, would it?
> Is it possible that divine sensation is still sentient and controlling it?
> "It is possible it desires itself, somehow."
> "In the ichor, the destructive tendencies are much more reserved in favor of pure desire, as compared to the roots."
> "That is quite possible, and a little worrisome if true."
> So which island are we on again?
>"I think it may be best to wash what's left of the ichor off in a stream before it starts to do anything nasty."
>Return to the forest and gap to a stream.
> Get to washing the bedsheet.
> "There are admittedly many interesting places to be found in these dimensions, if one ignores the calamity of the situation and the horror of those roots."
> "I must admit, there is a small part of me that hopes these places will remain accessible in some fashion, once the outstanding emergency is resolved."
> "Yes, I don't expect they will survive for much longer. I certainly won't hesitate to throw them all away, either, if it means obtaining what we have lost."
> How's the sheet coming?
> How much better are we going to be able to get it, given what we currently have at our disposal?
> Do we have a way of drying the bedsheet off, or at least preventing it from getting the rest of our stuff soaked?
>Since Maribel can theoretically touch the ichor without harm, since the reason it's bad for us is because faith=youkaimurder, could she make a significant difference in sheetwashing at this point?
>Could we more thoroughly clean the other things that were covered in ichor in the stream?
> Let's get working on that, then.
> Do we have any way to dry THEM off?
>Dry them on the grass.
>Hang bedsheet on a tree to dry.
>Make a mental note to come back for it later.
> Could we make a second pocket dimension area where we could stick the bedsheet to keep it with us but away from everything else?
>If we did so would the bedsheet dry out?
>Estimate how long it will take to dry hanging on this tree.
> How much primary subspace would we lose if we set up that secondary subspace?
> How tired are we feeling?
> "Do you need the rest? I wasn't planning on waiting it out, but if you need to stop for a while, then that is fine."
> Nod.
> "Then I think it is time we revisited the temple, and explored what the gap we found there has to offer."
> We felt okay about everything other than the bedsheet, yeah?
> "I think the remainder of my possessions will be fine."
> Make our way all the way back to the gap we found in the temple.
> "Ready to see what lies beyond?"
> Open the gap.
> "How about now?"
> "Hmm."
> Take out our Magnifying Glass and inspect the gap.
> Put away the Magnifying Glass.
> "It appears to be stable to me. But it is strange that you have so much difficulty sensing it."
> Offer a hand out to Mary.
> "Here, take my hand as we go through. Just to be safe."
> Lead Mary through the gap.
> "Oh my. Are you okay?"
> "I assume everything is as bizarre and blurry for you as it is for me? This rather feels like we're halfway to that color dimension."
> "It would seem so. How much can you see here?"
> "No, that's about it so far. I was more curious if you could see anything, given there's no light in here."
> Do we? Check.
> "Indeed not. Well, shall we investigate these walls to see if they really are as unmarred as they appear?"
> "Anything that is not a flat white surface, I suppose."
> Let's start investigating the walls!
> Trace our "fingers" along it. How does it feel?
> Look around for Mary.
> "I've found something."
> "Some sort of seam."
> Is this seam a gap we could open, like the one we came through to get here?
> Where does it stop?
> Is it the only seam present in its general vicinity, or are there other seams near to it, if not directly connected to it?
> Could we put our "fingers" into the seam and pull it in one direction or another?
> Let's try that with the fingertips, then.
> How can we see a blurry white strong on a white background?
> Are we sure it's an inanimate object instead of, say, a snake?
> If so, take the string into our hands.
> No guts, no glory. Take it.
> Feel our way along the string until we're feeling how it is attached to the wall.
> Grip this part of the string and tug gently.
>Examine the string with the Magnifying Lens.
> Look back around the room for any possible changes.
>Tug the string a bit more?
>Tug tug tug tug tug. Until something seems to happen, for example the string becoming untuggable.
>That works! Keep tugging to see if we can pull it far enough to go past the wall. The section it's on, not the string itself, that is. Maybe it'll open up a tunnel for us... or at least be some kind of box.
> "Intriguing. Be careful where you step. Or whatever it is we're doing here to move around."
> Feel the area of floor around where we're standing with our hands.
> Start crawling around the room, feeling everywhere we go before we actually go there, to see if there are any holes.
> "Aha."
> Press a little bit harder.
> "I seem to have pressed a button, or something."
> Let's look around. Is this new area any different from the previous one?
> Can we see the gap blur in the previous area?
> Is there an obvious way to return to the previous area up above?
> "Interesting. We seem to be blurrier."
> How has speaking and hearing changed?
> Looks aside, do we feel any different?
> "I'm not sure. This is really is reminiscent of that color dimension, though, don't you think?"
> "We resume our search for unusual things anew, I suppose."
> Start investigating the walls again.
> Let's feel them out like we did in the previous room.
> "Splendid! What is it?"
> Make our way over to Mary.
>Feel it.
> "Shall we press it? We know what happened last time."
>THE TIME HAS COME TO PRESS THE BUTTON
> Peer into this new hole.
> We're not getting the rooty sense of dread staring at this blackness, are we?
> Reach into the darkness, then. Let's see how our hand gets ruined!
> Poke an index finger in, then.
> Pull finger out.
> "Strange. Nothing interesting seems to be happening."
> "Nothing but darkness."
>We aren't carrying any of our tools are we?
> "None in particular. Perhaps we should continue our search? Maybe there are more of these in here."
> Make a mental note of where this hole is, and then resume our wall search as before.
> Frown.
> "Nothing here. Have you had any luck?"
> "Ah, I have already checked that area."
> Return to the hole.
> "Then something must be done with this, I suppose."
> Take a look around the floor. Does anything unusual stand out?
>Feel around the middle of the floor again, too, if nothing stands out in the visual search.
>How far up is the ceiling?
> Help finish off the unsearched floor.
> "Ah, what do we have here?"
> Could we get a fingertip in the crack?
>"A tiny crack in the floor."
>Try to pull it open like we did with the seam.
>Tug on the "handle"
>Try to rotate the handle.
> Grab the handle and push inward.
>"Maribel, there is a handle here, but I don't know which way to manipulate it. Would you like to try it?"
>"Hm, if it can't be moved at all, it would make a great fulcrum."
> Is that string from before within reach?
> "Hmm..."
> Go over and take the string.
> Detangle the string to determine roughly how long it is.
> Take the string back over to the hole and start threading it in.
> Get a good grip and pull it back out!
> "I've been through worse. That is quite a strong amount of suction!"
> Is the string intact, at least?
> "This does give me an idea, however. Let us see what comes of this."
> Tie one end of the string tight to the handle. Once this is done, feed the other end of the string into the hole again.
> How high up is the place on the wall where the string is connected?
>Well, if the string is so long, let's just tie one end to the handle and work some other bit into the hole as-is.
>If we can't fit it in, we'll need to cut it first. But... we don't have gap access here. Could we possibly chew through it?
> Hold off on those for a moment.
> Give our hands a chance to cool off for a moment, then climb up the wall using the string until we get to where it is attached to the wall.
> Couldn't we just use the wall as a foot brace while climbing?
> Regardless, since we can reach it without climbing, untie it from the wall.
> Well, shoot.
> Tie the other end of the string to the handle we found and try to feed a middle section of the string into the hole.
>"I'm going to try to attach the string to the handle before putting it in the hole. I'm not sure I'll be able to cut the string, though, so hopefully I can just bend it and fit a middle piece in."
>Continue plan
>>"Hmmm. Perhaps you're right, dearie."
>...would the angle be in such a direction that it'd tug the handle a lot if we did Maribel's idea? If so, do that.
> Yeah, definitely go ahead and use the handle as a pulley for the string as we thread it back into the hole.
> "Hmm?"
> How is the ambient haze? Any worse than before?
> Make our way to get out of the way of the smaller room's path.
> "It is, but I suspect that the room will not fit in the hole."
> "I guess we'll just have to find out."
> Gesture toward the new part of the room.
> "Shall we find out?"
> "Then let's see just how blurry and bizarre we can get."
> Avoiding crossing the path of the smaller room's movement, make our way into the new part of the room.
> "It seems we're getting more color-blobbish by the moment."
> Wave arms around as a test.
> Did speaking and hearing change as well?
> "It seems so. Shall we continue our investigation?"
> Jump down to the floor of the new area and begin investigating it for anything unusual.
> "We are both still here, my dear."
> Is Mary turning the same shade she was in the color dimension?
> "We do indeed seem to be matching the hues we took on in that color dimension. I wonder if this place is connected to that one?"
> Were the colors around the temple gap that brought us here weird?
> "Indeed. Regardless, shall we get to exploring, as increasingly difficult as it seems to be?"
> "You take the left and I'll take the right?"
> "Let us begin, then."
> Search the right half of this new area.
> The walls.
> Let's work at whatever that shifting thing is.
> "Ugh, more of this?"
> "I have discovered another wall string."
> Continue seaerching in the immediate area for any other hairline cracks, like what we've found before.
> If nothing interesting is to be revealed, move onward and search other walls.
> "Have you found anything that could go with the string?"
> Make our way back over to the string.
> How close is this new thread to the previous thread source?
> Is this thread a part of the wall as last time?
> Pull on it.
> "I think this string is the same string as before."
>Search any un-searched walls.
>Search the floor.
>Prod and poke seam.
>"So have I, be there in a second dearie."
>Lift seam upwards.
>"What have you found?"
>Check out Mary's discovery.
> "Interesting. Does it activate anything?"
> "Ah. I appreciate your concern. Let's find out what it does now, then."
> If Mary doesn't press the button in response, do so ourselves.
>Examine the oval shape closer.
>Pull on handle-like shape.
>Examine wallstring for changes. Like increased length or tuggability.
>Could we tie the string to the handle-shape?
>Could we tie the string to the horn shape?
>Start searching the walls again. Maybe something changed now that we've done things?
>"We have a handle and a string again, but we lack something to pull the string..."
> Might as well return to searching the floor ourselves.
> "I haven't tried it yet. I am hoping to find something that can dynamically interact with the string first. If there is no such thing, then I will fiddle with the static objects. There is something else over here, by the way."
> Pull on this new seam.
> Are there holes in the horn, such as at each tip?
> "Only more aggravation, it seems. We still have yet to find anything kinetic in these structures."
> Is there any more to the floor that we haven't look at?
>Well, let's try examining the grooves that were around the handle-esque part.
> Of the structures we've found here so far, how many of them are the right shape to interact with the string?
> Let's just go over the last of the floor. We still need something that generates motion.
> Mental review of what we've found in this third room so far.
> Let's try grabbing the horns (not the pointy parts) and rotating them.
> Oho.
> Keep turning it and sliding it across the floor.
> Lift it off the floor.
> Slide the horn we're currently sliding around so that it is connected to the other horn.
> Arrange them so their near-horizontal parts are touching each other.
> So the horizontal tip of each horn is the same height as the vertical tip of the other horn?
> Do the horn structures have some sort of base, or are they simply attached to the floor?
> How does the heigh of the horn with the horizontal tip up top and the vertical tip on the bottom compare to how far the ground sank when creating the miniature Marble Madness level?
> "This is an interesting development, being able to move these structures."
> "They do look like they go together, yes."
> Move the other one around a bit.
>Are the vertical tips close in height?
>Could we use the indentations to alter the elevation of one of the horn-esque things so that the horizontal tips were at an equal height?
>Move one of the horn-esque things into the depression.
> "Hmph, it won't go into the depression here. How rude."
> Let's try something different; line up the vertical top of one horn with the horizontal top of the other horn, so they are touching and going in the same direction.
> "Aha."
> Move one of the horns around a bit. Does it drag the other with it?
> Reconnect them. What is the shape of the combined horns?
>Try to fit them together to make a ring shape.
> When did Sanae get here?
> Is the new combined structure still attached to the floor as before?
> Try to slide the new combined structure into the depression.
> "Now the question is what we can do with this combined piece."
> Stick an arm, or whatever the hell we have at this point, through the oval.
> "It does not appear to be generating any motion or energy."
> Does there appear to be anything like a switch?
> Take our arm out of the oval.
> "Try pressing the button you found earlier again, perhaps? I have not seen anything else resembling a switch."
>List notable objects in room.
>Examine curious shapes.
>Try to rotate the rings, or the Q.
>Examine pattern of grooves.
>Does it resemble a sun motif?
>Current facts of the room we are in.
>Current configuration of the horns and any other relevant bits in the room.
>Try to slide the ring onto one of the ramps.
>Look through the ring at the oval. Then look in the opposite direction.
> Trace along the line that starts in the oval in the middle of the depression until said line stops.
> With what amounts to our finger.
> Try tracing along the other indentations the same way.
> How does the size and shape of the central oval compare to the oval structure we made?
>"Hmm? Very well."
>Do as she asks.
> "Ah, apologies. Your lack of mass was unexpected. I do note that you seem to have no trouble balancing yourself."
> "Not to imply anything untoward, of course. You understand."
>"Do you see anything up there?"
>Do as she asks.
>cast Detect Gap
> Does Mary still feel solid, at least, despite weighing next-to-nothing?
> Do we think we could raise her higher?
> Try to do so slowly, to make sure there are no other complications.
> "I'm sorry dear, was that too sudden?"
>What things of interest did we find on the walls of the rooms above?
>And we've found the string again on the bottom floor?
>"If you can't find anything up there we should probably take another look around down here. Have a quick last look and see if you can spot anything."
> How high up is the roof of the cube room?
> "As you wish."
> Read back and chuck our colorblob of a friend up there as best we can.
> "Apologies! I'm not used to throwing colored blurs."
> "What is it?"
> Attempt to float up to the top of the cube in pursuit. Maybe this'll work now?
>If not, try jumping.
> "I just tried, and it worked. Not quite what I intended, but it got the job done."
> Inspect the newfound comparment.
> Try pulling it.
> Jump back down and investigate!
> "Ah, dear, come take a look at this!"
> Has anything else started moving?
> How does the hole in the wall where the string came from look?
>Examine the indentation.
> What material do they appear to be made out of?
> "Indeed not. Perhaps something will happen when it fills the indentation?"
> Look up to make sure.
> "Ah. That could lead somewhere interesting."
> "Our way out appears to be unaffected, and I hold no attachment to the rest of it. Do you?"
> "Ah, the hole."
> Step away from the recession a bit, juuuuuuust in case.
> Position ourselves so we can keep an eye on whatever's forming in the depression and the mass of green at the same time.
> A recursive border...could this be the mirror, perhaps?
> Do the green and yellow look like anything?
>Does the mass of color seem like it may be a color-world-type familiarity? This area has been progressively more similar to it so far, after all.
>Ah, our own handiwork, hmm? Might this be our missing mirror?
> "I think we have found the color dimension again."
> Our mirror hasn't finished manifesting yet, has it?
> "If we can get back to the gap that brought us here, I would suggest doing so, once we have had a chance to see where we are."
> Might as well wait out the rest of the mirror creation process. If we can, given the current state of affairs, take it once it is complete.
>Retrieve mirror!
> Try to convey the feeling of "let's go to the gap" to the amber cloud.
> And then proceed to the charcoal grey, move through it, out of this colorland
>Examine gap using mirror.
> Did Mary come back with us?
> "Feeling okay, I hope?"
>"Do you remember those top secret tools I told you about?"
> Uh, before we say that, how much exactly have we revealed at this point?
> "Just another of my lost belongings. How strangely fortuitous."
> "Well, I had been looking for my mirror for some time, so there was at least that. It may also be worth exploring that part of the color dimension. It may give us another way back to the wastes where I found you."
> List of unexplored gaps, including notes on which require unclaimed tools and which do not.
> Did we get our vice grips earlier?
> Is there a known path back to the crystal palace?
> "Ah, yes. There is one more location worth investigating, a place I don't believe you have seen yet."
> "It will be a bit of a journey. Are you ready to begin now?"
> "All right."
> Backtrack our way aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall the way back to the field of fronds.
> Do warn Mary about the ear-ringing thing before gapping there though, unless she already knows.
> We never did properly investigate the doorway itself, did we?
> "Indeed. I've long since stopped worrying about some of the finer details of how these places work, though."
> Head on through the doorway.
> How tiring would it be to carry Mary?
> "I am, yes. There are shimmers of light in the distance, from a massive crystalline structure. Can you make them out?"
> "It is possible. Regardless, that is our destination. If you still cannot see, how would you like to get around when we get there?"
> What about carrying her on our back or shoulders?
>The 'ground' here is essentially a flat plane right?
> "That can be done. Here."
> Take her hand.
> Set off back toward that unexplored gap.
> "Hmm. We are approaching much rougher terrain. I think we may need to resort to me carrying you, unless you have an alternate idea."
> Alternatively, do we have any hands-free methods of carrying Mary around at our disposal?
> Could we rig up a system of gaps to keep her suspended in mid-air, or otherwise stick her somewhere portable?
> Could we add her to our inventory?
> And there's no way to create an airflow into our inventory space?
> "Well, there is another option, where I could place you in the storage gap with my belongings."
> "I should be able to keep it open so you don't suffocate, at least. But it is entirely up to you."
> "Very well. Would you prefer a bridal carry, a piggy-back, or to sit on my shoulders?"
> If we rode Mary on our shoulders, how much would she be in danger of smacking her head against a stalactite or part of the ceiling?
> "All right. If I may?"
> Gently pick Mary up in a bridal carry.
> Onward to that gap! Try not to trip over anything ourselves, though.
> Did we establish earlier that this water is drinkable?
> Could we reasonably gap a blind Mary up to the balcony safely?
> Could we step through with here in our arms, then? Or we do we need our arms free to create the gap?
> "We are. There is some clean water in this cavern, if you are feeling thirsty again."
> "That should not be a problem. You may want to take your socks off first, though, just in case you accidentally step somewhere wet."
> "Mmm, would you rather I put you down first?"
> "All right."
> Wait out the sock-removal process.
> "Okay, now that that is done, I will have to put you down for you to get some water, at least."
> "Of course. Here we go."
> Let Mary down gently so she is standing on her own again, then lead her to the edge of the water, being sure to stop her before stepping in.
> "At least we found some there eventually. But we do still need to find something edible for you that is not so spicy as what was in that forest."
> Can we use the mirror to create a gap up to the 'balcony' safely, in that we will avoid stepping out onto anything that might twist an ankle? Or is it only used for preventing us from gapping into walls or magma or other such things?
> "All right. If I may."
> Pick Mary back up as before, then use the mirror to create a gap up to the 'balcony' with the previously-unexplored gap.
>"I'm going to need to fix up a gap infront of us, now. I'll set you down now, but don't move about; there's only a couple feet of floor in any direction."
>Carefully set Maribel down on the floor.
>Fix up and then examine the gap! Does the mirror let us actually know anything about where it goes before we go through it?
> Take the magnifying lens to the gap too, just for kicks.
> "All set. I will take you one last time, and then we will head through."
> Carefully pick Mary back up, then back back to and through this new gap.
> "At least we no longer need to navigate the color dimension to return here, I suppose."
> Does this area look familiar?
> There was a gap here that needed the vice grips, yes?
> We previously reviewed everywhere we went, noting that we had found no more than one of our tools in any given location. Where did we determine were possible locations for our astrolabe?
> Could we open that corrupted pseudo-gap without the astrolabe?
> Are there no more unexplored gaps aside from that one?
> "Regardless, I actually do know where we are. This is one of three gaps I found along that giant fold in this area earlier. The gap that led us to the color dimension is another of those three."
> "...I don't know."
> Do we think we could use the mirror on that pseudo-gap to see where it leads?
> Aww.
> Gently set Mary down.
> "Well, there is one more gap I have not yet explored, but given the circumstances under which it came to be, I will want to take a long, hard look at it before I decide if it is worth the effort to go through."
> "Yes."
> Do we remember enough of the terrain to gap ourselves to the corrupted pseudo-gap?
> "We will have to head through that gap sooner or later, and I imagine those roots are not going anywhere, so I don't really have much of a choice."
> Shake head.
> "No, I think we had best take a look at this now."
> Using our mirror to make sure we will step out onto a place that isn't a root, make and head through a gap back to the corrupted pseudo-gap.
> Inspect the corrupted gap with the mirror.
> What would the astrolabe contribute to the process of making transit possible?
> Deep breath.
> "All right. Let's see what can be done here."
> Get to work on making the gap serviceable, using all of our tools as they are useful.
>With the screwdriver and hourglass, we can open it and manage to keep it open for a bit.
>With the vicegrips, we can connect it more reliably between here and the endpoint.
>With the wrench, we can... try to keep the makeshift gap away from the roots?
>Magnifying glass as necessary to aid in accurately doing any of the other work, if it'd help.
>Would the tape measure help in actually transiting through the gap?
>And possibly the pliers to help stably close the gap after we're through, once we get that far. Or, if necessary, to help narrow the gap into something more manageable as we're working with it.
>...does it seem like this plan might work?
>"If I even manage to make this... hole... into a functional gap, I won't be able to take you with me. Going through it myself will be risky; it's far too dangerous to try and take you along, sadly."
>"I'm afraid there's little choice. If you'd rather rest somewhere else, I could take you there before I go."
>"Alright, I'll grab some firewood first. I'm afraid I can't promise I'll be back right away once I leave, especially with how unstable the... "gap", is, but I'll try. Now, I'll be right back with something to burn."
>Gap back to where we were just before, with the columns around which grew shrubberies and whatnot.
>Attempt to harvest easily burnable materials. We can sever the plants with well-placed gaps, right?
>If successful, return to Maribel with the loot.
> Is bringing Mary along sealed in our inventory gap not an option, given she could probably hold her breath for 20 or 30 seconds?
>Where do we recall anything more properly wood-like to burn?
> "Actually, if we're going to find firewood first, I don't have to leave you here alone for that, do I?"
>...are we?
>"...actually, I haven't. I was thinking of where to find something suitable."
>Give Maribel a hug. "Sorry, dearie. See you soon!"
>BOSS GAP TRAVERSING TIME
> What tools do we have that can stop this growth?
> If we pulled back out, would that prevent the shattering?
>Activate Pliers to narrow the gap, but don't close it.
> How's the pseudogap holding up?
> What's the lighting like? Could Mary see here?
> Is the maybe-sound coming from the tunnel?
> Let's start heading down the tunnel, then.
> What COULD have made it, then?
> How steep is the incline? Will we be able to keep our footing as we walk, or will we need to slide down?
> Let's just wait and worry about these sounds once we find the source.
> Start gently stepping down the hill.
> Are there any obvious exits from this chamber, aside from the entrance we used?
> Nothing for it, then.
> "Hello?"
> Make our way toward the center structure of roots.
> We'll give 'em 'Tih'.
> Investigate this metal glint. Maybe it's our astrolabe?
> Back off a little bit, give ourselves some breathing room.
> Does it seem like the astrolabe is the source of the roots?
> Is there any apparent way to loosen it from the roots?
> How about gap cutting, like we have done before?
> Let's try that, then, if we can concentrate on it properly.
> What else is there? Is it connected to the other dimensions? Is it connected to another entity? IS it maybe connected to Gensokyo somehow, or maybe us?
> Uhhhhhh...
> Could we even reach the astrolabe by walking toward it? Or are the roots blocking the way?
>Can we create a small gap to more closely examine the astrolabe/direct surroundings of it, without having to get our entire body excruciatingly close to all those roots?
>If so, go ahead and do it, then. (unless kilga objects) We'll have to do it sooner or later if we want our astrolabe, and we do.
> Nothing for it, then. Just remember that the roots are stationary objects and aren't going to reach out and bite us or anything.
> Lean through the gap with the Magnifying Lens and inspect the state of the astrolabe.
> How would we do that? Just touching the astrolabe?
>What might happen if we just... severed the roots that surround the point?
>Is the astrolabe itself the point, or close enough that removing it would destabilize the world?
>...well, whilst we have the chance... we could use some more knowledge about this highly unusual foe. Let's go ahead and sense it's being.
> How can it be loved if it destroys all?
>It'd be best to put it out of it's misery. Uh... do we... have any ideas on how to do that? If we destabilized this world would it go down with it?
> If this isn't reality, where it is? Inside the entity's mind? Inside our mind?
> How would we go about breaking one of its borders?
> Let's do so, then. Only once, just to get its attention. (As self-destructive as that idea seems.)
> Entity! You know I am here. Can you hear me, as I can hear you?
> Tug gently on the astrolabe.
>Now that we know roughly where we are, how long would it take for us to open a gap back to Gensokyo once we had the astrolabe in our possession?
>Would... -all- of the worlds around here be destabilized if we messed this thing up? We have Maribel to worry about. We can't wreck this thing and then pop out without Maribel.
Hmm, just an idea from a spectator: Would it be possible to give form to this entity, since it wants it so much?
>With all of our tools in our possession, would we be able to gap directly to Maribel?
>If the borders were to collapse would the strange rooty being be destroyed?
> Would it be possible to give this entity form?
>Would Maribel be at risk of harm if we were to bring her here?
> How much do we know of Reisen Udongein Inaba's misadventures with some gems, her former master, and an armored construct from several years ago?
> Are we aware in any way of the armored construct's involvement in Mary and Renko's attack on the Scarlet Devil Mansion a few years ago?
> How much do we know of the Brocken Spectre incident from a couple of years ago, beyond what Iku Nagae and the Spectre herself shared with us at the time?
> How much did Reisen tell us of the sunken temple in the Misty Lake, and how much about it do we already know ourselves?
> What was the warning?
> All these thoughts aside, did any of the first thoughts we heard from the entity mean anything to us?
> Well, did any of it reference any familiar people or events?
> If I knew that already, I wouldn't be asking. :C
> Entity! What would I gain, were I to worship you? What can you do for me?
> How much did we learn from the Moriyas and the Akis about Gensokyo Isle?
> ...The Saigyou Ayakashi wasn't exactly "venerated", was it?
> So. The "gems lost" could be referring to those gems Reisen found. The "buildings rising from an island...between the east and the new world" could be referring to Gensokyo Isle. The "great destructor" could be Reisen's construct, "worshipped but for a day" by Alice, then forgotten after the materials were melted down.
> Could this entity have somehow come to be because of Gensokyo's recent incidents?
> This is true, but it was only active for a very short time. Still, something worth considering.
> Let's consider some of this other stuff, then. All the references to people - could these be related Avalon, or maybe Kosa? Both have similar ruthless-dictator histories, for as much as Kosa's is much more recent. Kosa was an outside world, even if Avalon is sealed off.
> And what of the tree that keeps appearing? The Saigyou Ayakashi seems like an obvious choice. Were there any other important trees in recent memory? Iku's pet poltergeist did something to a tree, didn't she?
> Maybe the tree is the tree we came across in the field of fronds?
> Let's listen to the entity a little bit more, and see if we can get more information.
> The brown-haired child...is that Reimu? Or maybe Sanae before she game to Gensokyo?
> What kind of noises are being made?
> Is the dark-haired miko Reimu or one of her ancestors?
> Wait, Chen without her feline features in the outside world? The Gensokyo Isle incident turned all youkai into humans. That must be a memory from then.
> Is it possible that this entity came about as a direct result of Gensokyo Isle's creation? Perhaps the Hakurei Shrine God was not pleased about losing the Hakurei Shrine Maiden for so long?
> Okay, we need to get out of here. Back to the astrolabe. If we severed just the physical connections between it and the roots, would we be able to take it with us without destroying everything?
> Can't do that yet, then.
> Nothing for it. If this entity is coming to get a piece of us, we'll give it a piece of us. Start breaking this entity's borders.
>We have to grab the astrolabe and get to Maribel before it's too late. This is too important. We can't get lost in the memories, whatever they are. We can reflect on them later if we still have them, but... not now. We... also don't want to be buried under falling bark.
> It being a tree would certainly explain all the roots. Curious how it found out tools, though.
> Take our astrolabe.
>Gap to Maribel.
>Assuming success- "Come here dearie, we're leaving!"
>We can gap to Real Gensokyo now, yes?
> For that first command, use the astrolabe to speed up the process.
> Run back the way we came as fast as we possibly can but making sure we don't trip and fall.
> If we feel like we're in a stable enough place to open a gap open it up and get to mary.
> Otherwise just keep running back to the gap that got us here.
>RUN
> get up look forward don't trip RUN LIKE HELL
> Quick border stability assessment.
> How far are we from the gap that brought us here?
> Keep running towards it regardless.
> And brush those memories aside as hard as possible concentrate on the moment we have to survive your life is on the life yakumo.
> It's not jusT us, either. We have to get back and save Mary!
> You're almost there! Let that adrenaline kick in and push you through! Get to that pseudogap!
> If the atmosphere is stable enough for us to do so, open our own gap back to Mary using the astrolabe and head through.
> If not, use the pseudogap to go back to Mary, but have the vice grips and astrolabe ready just in case something goes wrong.
> Run to Mary.
> "We're going home! Hang on to me with everything you have!"
> Once we reach her, grab onto her, use the astrolabe to open a gap to the proper Gensokyo, and bring us home.
> Our house. To Ran!
>"So, were we gone for as long as it felt like?"
> Let go of Mary long enough to run over and give Ran a giant hug.
> "Ran! Oh my God, Ran! It's really you!"
> Do let ourselves relax for a moment in Ran's embrace before saying this though.
>"So, were we gone for as long as it felt like?"
>"Actually, before anything else; has Gensokyo been alright in my absence?"
> Let the hug go.
> "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm just so glad to see you after all the two of us have been through. But yes, I think we should go put Renko's mind at ease. Shall we all go?"
> Open a gap to Mary's house and head through with Ran and Mary in tow.
> Open a few spyhole gaps around the forest, to see if we can find Miss Usami.
> "Hmm. The fairies are pretty worked up, but I couldn't find Renko in the forest area. Let's try some other places. While I'm looking, Mary, do you have any suggestions?"
> Try a few more spy gaps around the Human Village, around the Kappa University, at the Hakurei Shrine, and at Kirisame House.
> "I see a few people that may be worth asking. How does this sound for a plan? You dry off and get changed, and I will ask around to see if anyone has seen her lately. If I find her, I will bring her right back here."
> Take a very low tone ourselves.
> "No. I will be taking her to Reimu to help reverse it."
> Did we need anyone other than Reimu and ourselves to undo Mary's gradual transformation?
> How much did we tell Ran about Gensokyo Isle, if anything?
> Raise our voice back to slightly higher then normal, so Mary can hear.
> "We'll be back soon!"
> Open a gap to the Hakurei Shrine and head through, beckoning Ran to follow us.
> "I will compensate you up front with an admission I will never make to you again in either of our lifetimes; I feel worse than I look."
> "But that is not why I am here. I am currently on the lookout for one Miss Renko Usami. Have you seen her recently?"
> "I will fill you in on the details later, but while it was not I that removed her, I did find her and bring her back. She is currently at her house, drying off."
> Frown.
> "I may need to bring her to you sooner rather than later, however. She is losing her humanity, slowly transforming into a youkai, and we will probably need to reverse that."
> If we put off 'fixing' Mary for one more night, how much more difficult would it be to do so?
> "I would have been willing to put this off for a day if it weren't time-sensitive, but the circumstances force my hand. For what it is worth, I am sorry. Anyway, once we have found Miss Usami and brought them both here, I will tell our story."
> Open some spy gaps around the Moriya Shrine to see if Renko made her way all the way there. Keep an eye out for Kanako and/or Suwako as well.
> Kanako will probably have noticed that, which is enough of a warning for her that we'll be by later. Close those spy gaps.
> "I agree that she is unneeded for the process. I will want her around for the story, though, partly because I don't want to repeat it more than I have to and partly because I suspect Mary will want her around once she learns what she just went through."
> Open a few spy gaps to check around the tengu village.
> Nod.
> "Of course. Thank you for your help. We will be back soon."
> Open a gap to the Moriya Shrine grounds and step through.
> "Indeed. This visit will be brief, however. I am on the lookout for Miss Renko Usami, and I heard she may have gone searching in the mountains. Have you seen her?"
> "Neither of us left by our volition, but I at least succeeded in bringing her back. Related to all of that, we will need to have a much longer discussion than this later. Myself, yourself, your other half, and the Akis. Possibly the younger Komeiji as well, I haven't decided yet if she would know enough to be worth the effort corralling."
> Open a few spy gaps in the area of the mountains Suwako suggested.
> Is it possible for us to use our tool's powers remotely? As in, say, run a check using the magnifying glass on something that's on the other side of one of our spygaps?
> "Ah, there she is, I think."
> Focus our spy gaps on that area with the shouting.
> That's the second time now that someone has come back while we're here! Curious that the Gensokyo Isle memories are still returning, even after we destroyed the tree and returned here. They have all been of our alleged experiences, yes? Hopefully we didn't unwittingly get flooded with the memories of a bunch of other people, even if they're just manufactured.
> "Yes, there she is."
> Nod to Suwako.
> "We will be back eventually. Thank you for being the second to think I ran off with Maribel, as now I know to plan for Renko making the same assumption."
> Open a proper gap to a spot on the trail a few yards ahead of Renko and step through.
> Nod.
> "She is at home, getting changed our of her equally-drenched clothes and drying off. May I assume you wish to head back there?"
> "No, but I brought her back. Come."
> Beckon to Renko, then open a gap back to Turtle House and head through.
> Do we have the shikigami connection with Chen?
> If not, does Ran?
> "Certainly. Where did you send her last?"
> Open some spy gaps in the indicated area.
> "Aha."
> Open and step through a gap to where Chen is.
>"You've found me Chen!"
>"I was whisked away to a magical land with less unicorns and rainbows than I would have liked. But I'm back now and Ran and I have some business to deal with, so why don't I send you on home?"
>Open a gap for her then return to Ran and the others.
>Are we definitely sure that this is just the memories that we absorbed earlier? Could there be some lingering rooty presence?
>"No, though she was none too impressed with me for making you worry. I sent her home."
>"Very well then."
>Walk over to where Maribel and Renko are.
>"If you two are done chatting, I was thinking that we should all head over to the Hakurei shrine and I could explain what has happened over a nice cup of tea."
>"I'm sure Reimu will be more than happy to accommodate you."
>"Actually would you mind if I had a quick look at that souvenir of yours?"
>Assuming she allows it: inspect small island for rooty presence.
>I don't suppose we can manipulate the border between disheveled and presentable?
>Open a gap to the Hakurei shrine.
>"Ran, help Reimu make some tea and snacks; no, dinner. It could be a long talk. I'm going to go and get myself presentable."
>"You two can wait here or go with Ran. It's up to you."
>Gap ourselves home and do our best to dignify ourself without taking too long.
> Now that we're alone, allow ourselves a sigh of relief and a deep breath - we're okay now yukari, the hard part is over already.
> After that, gap to the Hakurei Shrine again.
>Thank Maribel and continue into the shrine to talk to Reimu.
>"Indeed, here I am. And now that everyone is gathered you can get that explanation you wanted."
>"I am, and that will be just as soon as Ran gets back."
> How often have we helped in cooking matters before?
> Did we actually give that piece of Materia Prima to Mary? The one she wanted to make the ring for Renko with.
> Also remind me of the Materia Prima pieces we currently have in our possession.
> "I could help, if you like."
> Thinking back on the memories we were seeing of the tree, being struck by lightning, venerated, and forgotten, is it possible it was the tree behind Reimu's shrine, the one that was eventually replaced by the tree those fairies moved into?
> What would have happened to that deity when the tree was removed?
> How did the Gensokyo Isle memories get caught up in it?
> "Ah, very well then."
> Head back out to the outside, where Mary and Renko are catching up.
> Have a seat somewhere suited for it.
> "More or less. How are you feeling?"
> "Mmm, of course. I suppose this means neither of you have noticed yet? That would make sense, you probably aren't capable of sensing it..."
> "Ah, you flatter me. And as far as I can tell, we are. But I suppose a little test wouldn't hurt."
> Stand back up and attempt a bit of flight.
> Sit back down.
> "Yes, of course. I am not yet precisely sure how or why this happened, but to put it bluntly, due to the nature of where we were, Mary, you are slowly losing your humanity."
> "I suspect the bizarre nature of where we found ourselves was simply incompatible with humanity. Perhaps the frazzled borders everywhere helped as well. But this is why we are here tonight; Reimu and I should be able to reverse the processwithout much issue."
> Could we inspect Mary with the magnifying glass without actually pulling it out?
> "I couldn't bring myself to tell you until now, not with the state you were in. There was already far more to worry about than what anyone should have to live through."
> Turn to Renko.
> "There is still much I don't know about where we were, so I don't want to offer any guarantees. But I have seen nothing that suggests Reimu and I will not be able to remedy the situation. Though perhaps, now that we are in a friendlier environment, it would be worth taking a closer look."
> Without pulling it out, Harness the power of the magnifying lens to give Mary a more thorough inspection.
> So the process is still perfectly reversable?
> "Ah, so THAT is the problem."
> Cross our arms and glare at Mary with a slight smirk.
> "Didn't your mother ever teach you to not eat something if you don't know where it's been?"
> "It would appear you gave yourself food poisoning on a spiritual level."
> "Quite possibly. You'll pardon me if I do not examine the details of your innards to confirm this. Regardless, this will be a non-issue to fix."
> "If you had chosen the path of the shrine maiden yourself when you first arrived, I suspect you would now be able to fix this yourself, were it to happen to someone else. The only question that really remains is to make sure that you want it to be fixed."
> Nod.
> "Very well. I had assumed as much, but the right to body autonomy requires me to ask regardless."
> Mary's condition had her turning into a youkai herself, yes? Or was she actually going to die, or turn into something else?
> Did we bring that music bubble conglomerate with us?
> "Meeting expectations is ever so boring, if I may say so. But now that that is resolved, as long as we are still waiting, there is something interesting I picked up that could be fun to investigate further."
> Retrieve the music bubble and let it out onto the walkway in front of the steps.
> "Sadly, no, nor did we find my hat or your clothes. But perhaps we can make do with just this."
> Turn to Renko.
> "This is a fusion of a few music-generating borders I found while exploring the various interconnected locations where we found ourselves."
> Harness the power of the magnifying glass to inspect the conglomeration of music more closely. Perhaps we can manufacture anything that is missing.
> Some time as in hours? Days? Months?
> How useful would a music expert's opinion be on what is missing?
> Is it possible that the missing piece survived the destruction of the dimensions?
> If so, would it be possible to go back and search for it? Is there even anything to return to?
> Would the astrolabe help at all?
> Could we use the borders we have as a sort of focus, to give ourselves an idea of what to look for?
> And we didn't keep any particular track of where on the edge of reality we were when we gapped back here, did we?
> How much would 'where' matter if we just wanted to go back and search by hand in what little time is left?
> "That is a very good question. I may have a few ideas. Truth be told, I don't think it was done by one person. I'm not even sure anyone involved did it knowingly, let alone intentionally."
> "I do need to still learn about the 'how' and 'why'. Greater detail can come when it is story time over dinner, however."
> If we did actually find our way back to where we were to start searching for the last piece of music, and the entire dimension collapsed around us, would we actually be able to get back here?
I say we leave it for Yukari to solve as an NPC. Purvis implies she can do so, but to will take some time.
Another thing I want her to do is make a new tool, a compass or spyglass to find gaps from farther away than she can see.
Here's a thought: Some of the resident Music experts of Gensokyo are the Prismrivers, right? presumably Yukari would know of their abilities, so perhaps they can lend a useful hand?
> Frown and stand up.
> "I fear the incompleteness of this musical construct is going to bother me. Let me see here..."
> Harness the power of the astrolabe to try to find where the edge-of-reality dimensions (or what remains of them) we just left are.
> Assuming we don't manage to come back from the dimension, what would happen if it completely collapsed around us? And would we be able come back to Gensokyo after that?
> Can we tell whereabouts this hole is?
> How much work would it take to fix it?
> We'll have to let Ran and Reimu know about that. Hopefully we can turn it into a more-than-one-person project to save ourselves some time.
> "Did Ran say where she was going, or how long she would be gone?"
> So did we actually find something when looking for the entity's world? Or did our attention get distracted but the hole in the barrier first?
> If we opened a gap to that place we think we found, could we just poke our head through it to inspect the area visually? Or would we have to go all the way through?
> As far as that crack in the barrier goes, do we think we could work on it tomorrow? Or is it preferable to work on it right now?
> How many days did it feel like we were there for?
>"I'm going to investigate something while we wait for Ran. I shouldn't be long."
>Head over to the tree behind the shrine.
>Open a gap in front of one them so that she appears in front of us.
>"I just want to ask you a quick question, then I'll leave you alone."
>"Have you noticed anything strange about your tree recently?"
>"Well if you're going to be like that then I'll have to have a look for myself."
>Approach tree.
> Run the magnifying glass on it, without actually taking it out, of course.
> Is this the same tree that got hit with lightning before the fairies moved in?
>The white one was closer than her sisters to being a youkai, yes? Has she progressed any further since we last encountered them?
> Is the shimenawa still on the tree?
> Is the fairy in red still visible? If not, do we know where she went well enough to open a gap to bring her back here?
> Open a few spy gaps to check for her in the nearby vicinity to find her.
> Is she still running, or has she stopped moving?
> Open a gap right in front of her to bring her back here. Brace for a second impact.
>It was something we noticed that one time.
> "There. We wouldn't want you to miss out on your share of popcorn."
> "Have a pleasant evening. Do be sure to return that bowl to its owner when you're done."
> Return to the front of the shrine.
> "Ah, there we are. The mystery of the music will have to wait, I suppose."
> Regather our music bubble, then head inside.
> "You thought correctly. But my business there is concluded."
> "Do you think me so rude that I would begin eating before addressing your concerns? I know how much you worry about me, after all."
> Sit down and have some real, actual food.
> "Of course. I have found that Maribel and I were whisked away to a world on the edge of reality, by an entity from beyond the threshold of reality."
> Gesture at Mary.
> "I am not surprised it was able to find me, but I admit I have not yet worked out how it found you."
> What does Mary's question mean?
> "This world was composed of several interconnected dimensions with bizarre and erratic borders. Many different kinds of locations; a gloomy cavern, a field of fronds, a crystal palace, a ruined outside-world city, a forest with gaps that could grow or shrink the user, a plane devoid of everything but color, a collection of floating islands, a barren wasteland with a bloody moon. There was even a frighteningly accurate recreation of Gensokyo, although the interior decorating left a lot to be desired."
> "Indeed. Particularly when you wake up with no idea where you are or how you got there, or any real way to defend yourself. But I found Maribel eventually, and we picked our way through the world long enough to find some interesting things, like the bubble of music I let loose on your walkway earlier."
> "One other very common occurrence in all of these separate dimensions was giant roots, hulking about all over the place. I discovered that these roots were composed of a few things, including carnal desires to be loved, to be worshipped...and to destroy all matter in reality."
> "I have my ways of discreet investigation. It certainly answered the question of why I was so much more concerned with the roots than you; they were overflowing with faith. A lesser youkai would probably not have survived contact with them."
> That's a good question, actually. Would the faith the entity gathered be Reimu's, since she venerated the tree? Or was it just a natural by-product of the entity existing at all?
> "That is a bit complicated to explain. Do you remember when you venerated a tree that was struck by lightning behind your shrine?"
> Give a small grin.
> "Well, to your credit, it seems to have attracted three certain individuals. But I bring it up because the core of the entity that caused all this nonsense is, or, more accurately, was the deity from that tree."
> Did we do such a thing?
> Did we also think and/or say that it died?
> For all that Gensokyo is the place where outside-world things go when they are forgotten, perhaps there are questions to be asked about where Gensokyo things go when they are forgotten.
> "I did, because it did. I am not sure how it reappeared. But it is true that not everyone in the room was present when this first happened. Would you like to tell the story, or shall I?"
> What do we know of any deity-related details to how Nue resolved Rinnosuke's incident?
> What do we know of any deity-related details to how Nue resolved Rinnosuke's incident?
> "A lesson learned, certainly. Regardless, while that deity was the core of this entity, it had also somehow acquired a vast amount of memories from somewhere. Memories from many hundreds of people, about many hundreds of people. It took these memories and imbued the people within them with enough desire to want, creating a never-ending supply of faith for itself."
> "It would seem so, yes. And the sheer volume of memories present with the entity would suggest any deities here won't be putting on a repeat performance."
> Assuming the dreadful deity that came from Nue's Avalonian sword has been properly forgotten, would it have vanished entirely, or would it have passed onto Higan?
> "It has been dealt with, and will not be bothering anyone ever again. As for what it wanted, I've already said the three desires it had. I am not sure where the desire for the destruction of reality came from, though I may look into a small inkling of an idea later."
> We found that the entity was searching for something, yes?
> "Another recently deity that should have recently pass."
> "As for why we were abducted, I do not know for sure. The entity was searching, and I assume it found us. Though it seemed surprised at my presence when I finally encountered it properly."
> Did we ever get the feeling that it was searching for something in particular other than love, worshipers, and stuff to destroy?
> "Who can say? It was not very keep on two-way communication before, and it certainly will not tell us anything now."
> "Reaching. Reaching as far as it could. It would have found its way here eventually, and if it did, no youkai would last very long."
> That would certainly explain the hands, wouldn't it?
> "Whatever it could get."
> Did Reimu ever learn the truth of Gensokyo Isle?
> "People who were of Gensokyo, and yet not of Gensokyo."
>"Exactly!"
>"It was a conglomeration of false memories."
>"Yes, I have a few of them swirling around in my head after my encounter with it. Things that I know never happened but that I can remember as if I was there."
>"The false memories had to do with the residents of Gensokyo, and I have some idea why. I plan to follow up on that at some point."
>"However I am fairly certain that I managed to destroy the being."
>"What is more immediately relevant is what happened to poor Maribel while she was stuck in that place."
>"Everyone here knows about it now so we aren't at risk of dinners ending up places they shouldn't, there's no harm in discussing it."
>"While in the strange place that we found ourself Mary slowly started becoming a youkai. She doesn't want to be a youkai so we plan to have Reimu reverse the process."
>"I assume there are no objections."
>"Oh no, I'd be all for Mary becoming a youkai, This is her decision though and she's already made it."
> What has Ran been up to this entire time?
> Finish off anything we have remaining on our plate.
> "So I feel I should point something out before it becomes an issue. Reimu has expressed a distaste for distractions during this process."
> Point at Mary.
> "This means that you, and only you, will be joining her in the back. The rest of us will have to wait here. Or elsewhere, if desired."
> "I have other matters to attend to myself, so we will be leaving as well once all food matters are resolved."
> Glance over in the direction that Reimu went and listen, to make sure she has indeed moved out of earshot.
> Take on a quiet voice, then.
> "I am not sure she ever learned. I think it best to not find out the hard way."
> Thinking on it, would these memories simply be erased, or would they have to be "hidden"?
> Open a spy gap to Keine Kamishirasawa's house.
> And shank her!