Wriggle Quest: The Value of the Small

[Hanzo K.]

>"Ah, yeah. That happens too, which is a problem for everyone."

[Raikaria]

>"Ah, yeah. That happens too, which is a problem for everyone."

> "Not so much to youkai that don't need to eat." Minoriko comments.

> "Like Kogasa!" Mystia adds.

[Hanzo K.]

>"True, but don't most of them have some kinda requirement like Kogasa's? Which would probably loop right back around to the food issue."
>After all, being an Insect means we know how the food chain works, right?

[Raikaria]

>"True, but don't most of them have some kinda requirement like Kogasa's? Which would probably loop right back around to the food issue."
>After all, being an Insect means we know how the food chain works, right?

> "Oh no, Youkai like them don't live off that requirement, it just gives them an energy boost, like a sugar rush. Otherwise that Karakasa would have starved long ago!" Minoriko says, laughing heartily after.

> You know the role of insects in the food chain.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well, either way you look at it, food's important. But hey, it doesn't taste the same without the atmosphere the leaves bring you know. Plus, the best way to roast sweet potatoes is with leaves."

[Raikaria]

>"Well, either way you look at it, food's important. But hey, it doesn't taste the same without the atmosphere the leaves bring you know. Plus, the best way to roast sweet potatoes is with leaves."

> "Oh yes, food is always important! For more than just sustenance as well! Look how this night sparrow has used food to bring Humans and Youkai closer! Years ago, we wouldn't have dreamed of it!" Minoriko says.

> "Fresh leaves, ones picked off a tree, not dead, fallen ones." Shizuha says.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Those work just as well though, to provide the foundation to get it all started. When you get right down to it, leaves are just as important, since they end up helping the later plants, right?"

[Raikaria]

>"Those work just as well though, to provide the foundation to get it all started. When you get right down to it, leaves are just as important, since they end up helping the later plants, right?"

> "You may understand that, and the circle of life. The humans? They seem to have trouble caring."

[Hanzo K.]

>Shrug. "They don't live so long after all, comparing their lifespan to a youkai's is like comparing an ant's lifespan to a human's. I've had plenty of time to consider things after all."

[Raikaria]

>Shrug. "They don't live so long after all, comparing their lifespan to a youkai's is like comparing an ant's lifespan to a human's. I've had plenty of time to consider things after all."

> "True, true, but the faith of humans is the most valuable type. After all, faith is for the transient people. I hardly get enough faith to materialize myself in Autumn... with Minoriko helping me."

[Hanzo K.]

>That sounds pretty bad, doesn't it?

[Raikaria]

>That sounds pretty bad, doesn't it?

> Yes, you know Gods get their energy from faith given to them. Kanako's who reason for coming to Gensokyo and attempting to subjugate the Tengu and Kappa was faith. And giving Utusho Nuclear Fusion.

> Generally, you know bad things tend to happen when gods get desperate.

[Hanzo K.]

>Sweatdrop. "Just, uh, don't go and do what Titania did. I think that would end badly..."

[Raikaria]

>Sweatdrop. "Just, uh, don't go and do what Titania did. I think that would end badly..."

> "I'm nowhere near her level of power." Shizuha says. "Although, she has caus..."

> "Quiet, Shizuha. Secrets must be kept." Minoriko says, suddenly sounding serious, and giving off an aura that makes you feel small.

> The leaf goddess clams up.

[Hanzo K.]

>...This sounds like something Dai will want to know about, doesn't it?
>"I wasn't just talking about it going badly for others, I was also meaning about it going badly for you too. Well, I've gotta go take care of a few other things, like finding Maribel and Renko. See you whenever, I guess."
>Since they just left, let's head to the next location we'll be likely to see them.

[Raikaria]

>...This sounds like something Dai will want to know about, doesn't it?
>"I wasn't just talking about it going badly for others, I was also meaning about it going badly for you too. Well, I've gotta go take care of a few other things, like finding Maribel and Renko. See you whenever, I guess."
>Since they just left, let's head to the next location we'll be likely to see them.

> The location nearest the village where they would be is the Misty Lake.

> When you arrive, they indeed are there, specifically, talking with Meiling.

[Hanzo K.]

>So, why did we want to check up on them again?

[Raikaria]

>So, why did we want to check up on them again?

> To make sure everything was OK with them. They are your friends, after all.

[Hanzo K.]

>Well, let's head over then, but we'll wait for them to finish talking.

[Raikaria]

>Well, let's head over then, but we'll wait for them to finish talking.

> You wait for the three to stop their conversation, and fly over.

> Maribel looks much the same as a few months ago, however, Renko's outfit has changed somewhat, with the back of her shirt going down to her knees, like some sort of cape. She also has a small rod with a sun on top of it, akin to Mima's 'Moon Summoner'.

[Hanzo K.]

>"How are you guys doing?"
>They've adapted pretty well to Gensokyo, haven't they?

[Raikaria]

>"How are you guys doing?"
>They've adapted pretty well to Gensokyo, haven't they?

> "We're OK. We were just checking up with China." Renko says.

> Maribel still hasn't gotten over everything yet, but Renko has adjusted well. Maribel is getting to grips with her powers, slowly, while Mima has taken to teaching Renko, much to Marisa's annoyance. Due to Renko's powers, she seems to have a natural affinity for Cosmic magic, and is picking it up quickly. In addition, her power has developed somewhat to let her find people who are close to her as well, such as Maribel, using the stars. Mima thinks her power can still develop, however.

[Hanzo K.]

>Have they made any spellcards yet?
>"Glad to hear you guys are doing alright."

[Raikaria]

>Have they made any spellcards yet?
>"Glad to hear you guys are doing alright."

> They keep tight-lipped on that one, although they say they have some, they refuse to tell you what they are, or how many, or even if they're like the Three Fairies or Primsrivers and are combination spells.

[Hanzo K.]

>"So, you guys been up to anything? How's the training been going?"

[Raikaria]

>"So, you guys been up to anything? How's the training been going?"

> "Not too much, I've been attempting to get to grips with this whole boundry thing, but every time I figure something out, three more questions arise." Maribel says.

> "I've been learning more magic from Mima, I can do this now!"

> Renko points her staff at Meiling, and picks her up in some sort of gravity distortion.

> "Hey, what are you doing? I may be a pincushion at times but I'm not a lab rat!"the gatekeeper protests.

[Hanzo K.]

>Marvel at the gravity trick. "Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice."

[Raikaria]

>Marvel at the gravity trick. "Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice."

> "Yeaaa... ah!" Renko says, before she twitches and the spell ends.

> "Can't hold it too long though, and I need to really focus."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well, that's what practice is for after all. Even if a human doesn't live all that long compared to Youkai, you'll probably get better at it sooner or later. You're in Gensokyo after all, the place where even someone like Marisa can get pretty good at magic with enough determination."

[Raikaria]

>"Well, that's what practice is for after all. Even if a human doesn't live all that long compared to Youkai, you'll probably get better at it sooner or later. You're in Gensokyo after all, the place where even someone like Marisa can get pretty good at magic with enough determination."

> "Yeah, well, unlike Marisa, I'm content to become a youkai Magician if I need to. After all, I can't just die and leave Mary if she becomes a full youkai one day, can I?" Renko says.