Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: Hello Purvis on July 30, 2010, 05:13:03 AM
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>You are Maribel Hearn, and the world is wrong. Or rather, you have no idea where in the world you are.
>You have woken up in the middle of a strange, unfamiliar room. Thankfully, you don't seem to be hurt or restrained in any way, though you could use something to drink. Just, you have no idea where you are. The last thing you remember is...a little hard to remember, actually.
>You grew up in Japan, living a fairly normal life. Still, you always had a strong instinct that there was more to the world than you could see. You studied psychology in college, and met your best friend there, a woman named Renko. The two of you shared a passion for the supernatural (extranormal, Renko called it, to make it sound more legitimate). In pursuing that passion, the two of you followed your instincts and moved to small island nation called Gensokyo. From there, then memories of the past half year fuzzy. You remember running a modestly successful detective agency and numerous attempts to find supernatural activity. You remember a woman named Utsuho being a prominent influence on your life in the last few days before you woke up here, but you can't remember a lot about it. You remember, though, that she helped you prove the supernatural exists beyond the shadow of a doubt! Too bad you can only recall vague details about it.
>You are in what looks like a guest bedroom. It's clean, but you can see old dust in the corners and such, which suggests that it was swept in a hurry. There's an antique-looking vanity in the corner. An old, overstuffed bed dominates the room. The last piece of interest is a wardrobe.
>_
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>Remove mattress stuffing to use as fake beard.
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>Panic.
>Look around for Renko.
>"RENKOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooo :ohdear:"
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>Remove mattress stuffing to use as fake beard.
>While a theoretically interesting idea, you really have no way to open the mattress. And that sounds itchy, anyways.
>Panic.
>Look around for Renko.
>"RENKOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooo :ohdear:"
>It's really starting to sink in, where the hell are you!? Oh god, oh god., oh god... have you been kidnapped?!
>You look around, and see no sign of you fedora'd companion.
>You call for Renko, and hear no reply.
>_
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> Recall how much of our Revenge Meter is filled.
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>Use wardrobe as fake beard.
>Or at least look it over carefully.
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> Recall how much of our Revenge Meter is filled.
>You aren't usually very vengeful. But today you might have to make an exception.
>Use wardrobe as fake beard.
>Or at least look it over carefully.
>You are about 25 feet too small to do that. While this may be a disadvantage in some ways, it would also keep you from fitting out the door.
>You look the wardrobe over carefully. It is a bit dusty in spots, suggesting it too was hastily cleaned. Checking inside, you find a black and dark green dress about your size. It looks kinda old fashioned, like something one those gothic lolita types might favor back home, if not for the leaf and vine-like patterns on it.
>_
>_
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> Examine Quests
> Examine Items
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>check pockets of green dress, chew on one of the vines
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> Examine Quests
> Examine Items
>Your Quests are:
>Where in the World is Maribel Hearn?
>You have no idea where you are. This is very distressing!
>Renko Quest
>Given Renko has been your long-term partner in crime, if you're in trouble, chances are she is too.
>Your inventory contains
>Purple Dress (Worn as Clothes)
>Mop Hat (Worn as Hat)
>Keys
>check pockets of green dress, chew on one of the vines
>You check the pockets of the dress, and find some loose change in a denomination that feels vaguely familiar to you
>You obtain: 5☼
>You consider chewing on the dress, but you don't know where it's been.
>_
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> Exit the room, no clues here
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>examine keys
>examine doors and any other obvious exits
>contemplate what to do with Renko after finding her
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> Exit the room, no clues here
>You leave the room, finding it the door unlocked.
>You enter a dusty hallway. This place hasn't seen a broom in a long time, and the walls are made of stone. Along the south wall, there are a number of doors. The north wall is lined with stained glass windows. You notices a lot of pawprints in the dust. Obvious exits are South 1, South 2, South 3, and West
>examine keys
>examine doors and any other obvious exits
>contemplate what to do with Renko after finding her
>Keys
>These are the keys to the door of your detective agency, as well as one to the strongbox you keep in the back with all your money.
>The doors are all made of solid wood, with intricate paneling. They seem quite old, given the dark color their have.
>You have no idea what you're going to do with Renko when you find her. It depends on the circumstances, but any possibilities are in order.
>_
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>examine pawprints, southern doors, types of stone used for walls
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> Follow the paw prints
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>examine pawprints, southern doors, types of stone used for walls
>You are certain the pawprints belong to cats. Or maybe small dogs. You also see a few other prints in the dust now that you look closer. Are those from birds?
>The doors are all identical to the one you just examined.
>You are not a mason, and don't know jack about stone. But it looks like "real" stone, rather than concrete or cinder blocks.
> Follow the paw prints
>The paw prints go all over the place. You're pretty sure they don't belong to just one animal.
>_
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>"Anyone here?"
>If no one responses.
>Nyan.
>Caw caw.
>Woof.
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>Knock one of the other south doors, softly. If no response, try and open it. If it's locked, head West.
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> Examine the other side of a stain glass window if we can
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> Examine area. Are their any sets of stairs nearby?
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> Search for boundaries in the vicinity
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>"Anyone here?"
>If no one responses.
>Nyan.
>Caw caw.
>Woof.
>You call out, and don't get any replies.
>Perhaps out of desperation, you try a series of animal noises. Nothing really happens in regards to that, either.
>Knock one of the other south doors, softly. If no response, try and open it. If it's locked, head West.
>You knock on the eastmost door, and get no reply. You nudge it open, and find another room, similar to yours. However, there is a pile of cloth on the bed, and sitting in it is a pigeon. It regards you with a tilted head.
> Examine the other side of a stain glass window if we can
>You leave the pigeon be, and have a look at the windows. The staining isn't very strong, you can see through them. Outside, there is a courtyard full of trees, with a garden path in place. There seems to be a kind of cave toward the back, you think you see someone walk into it.
> Examine area. Are their any sets of stairs nearby?
>You see some to the west.
> Search for boundaries in the vicinity
>You've always had a curious sense for knowing where one sphere of influence ends and another begins. You don't sense anything like that here.
>_
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> Head down the stairs.
> Call out to see if there is anyone in the vicinity.
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> Head down the stairs.
> Call out to see if there is anyone in the vicinity.
>You head down the stairs and descend down into a hall. You see another stairway to the west. To the south, you can see the sizable hall, easily large enough to hold dozens of people, lined with a double row of columns. To the west and east are open doors leading to large-looking rooms. To the north is a set of closed double doors; though you note there is a cat door built into it. .There's some old tapestries on the walls, showing scenes of caverns; who hangs up tapestries these days? Obvious exists are East 1, East 2, West 1, West 2, North, and South.
>You call out, and hear a "Who's there?" from the lower western doorway.
>_
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>Head towards the voice
>"Um, I'm Maribel, and... where am I?"
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>Head towards the voice
>"Um, I'm Maribel, and... where am I?"
>You head toward the voice, and walk into a large sitting room. There are large, old-looking chairs arranged tastefully here. Many of them seem to be occupied by cats or birds. The walls have a number of portraits on them, depicting various people; a purple-haired woman in silken clothes, an aqua-haired woman wearing a curious dress, a red-haired girl with cat ears and bows in her hair, and...is that Utsuho? And why does she have wings?
>It takes you a moment to look away from that, and notice the smallish purple-haired woman sitting in a large red chair, a cat and a ferret on her lap; the same woman from the portraits. She wears a strange accessory, a kind of heart-looking thing with cords running from it.
>"You're confused," she says, then offers a smile. "Have a seat, Maribel, and we'll see if we can sort you out?"
>_
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>Have a seat
>"Um, ok... First of all, where am I? And how did I get here?"
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>Have a seat
>"Um, ok... First of all, where am I? And how did I get here?"
>You had a seat on a well-worn green chair near the woman. A calico kitten quickly decides to make use of your lap.
>"You're in the Palace of the Earth Spirits, dear," says the woman. "Which is in Gensokyo. I'm afraid you're a long ways from home. As for how you got here, I'm afraid you were carried over. You lived on the island, did you?"
>_
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>"Wait a second. If this is Gensokyo, how am I a long way from home? I live in Gensokyo. And what do you mean 'carried over'? Where is this place, really?"
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>"Wait a second. If this is Gensokyo, how am I a long way from home? I live in Gensokyo. And what do you mean 'carried over'? Where is this place, really?"
>"It's a little hard to explain," she says. "But, you always felt it was a little different, am I right? Well, in short, it was. It was put into your world by some method I don't understand myself. As of a couple days ago, it was fixed and returned to where it was supposed to go."
>_
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>"And... and I came with it? A couple days ago? Have I been asleep all that time? Where's Renko?"
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>Make a confused face.
>"Yes I did find certain supernatural phenomenon on the island a few days ago, with the help of a woman by the name of Utsuho. Speaking of Utsuho, why is there a portrait of her on the wall? Why does she have wings? Is she here too? Who are you anyway?"
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>"And... and I came with it? A couple days ago? Have I been asleep all that time? Where's Renko?"
>She nods. "Okuu told me that you weren't from here, so it makes it a little strange you were carried over. And yes, you were. We tried to make you comfortable, and where are my manners. Michi, could you go get something from the kitchen for Maribel, please?"
>A large crow perched on one of the table edges takes flight and leaves the room.
>"As for Renko, I don't have a clue, I'm afraid. We only found you."
>Make a confused face.
>"Yes I did find certain supernatural phenomenon on the island a few days ago, with the help of a woman by the name of Utsuho. Speaking of Utsuho, why is there a portrait of her on the wall? Why does she have wings? Is she here too? Who are you anyway?"
>You make a confused face. It is so very easy at the moment.
>Satori nods. "Ah, yes, she told me the two of you worked together. And I'm sorry for my manners I was hoping to help you get comfortable with things, first. I am Satori Komeiji. And, let's say I'm Utsuho's guardian and leave it at that. As for the wings, they are her's. She wasn't human, dear. Most of the people on the island weren't."
>_
>_
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>"But me and Renko spent most of our spare time looking for things like that, and everyone seemed plenty human to me."
>"But... can I assume that you aren't, either, then?"
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>"But me and Renko spent most of our spare time looking for things like that, and everyone seemed plenty human to me."
>"But... can I assume that you aren't, either, then?"
>"They were supposed to, I'm told," she says. "I'm not entirely sure of the situation myself."
>She shakes her head in response to your question.
>One part of your is a little put off by that. Another part of you wants to scream "JACKPOT" and then beat up the first part.
>_
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>"Then, if... if it isn't rude of me to ask this, what ARE you?"
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>Have a quick glance at the weird eye thingy on Satori's chest.
>Wonder what it is.
>"So Utsuho lives here? Where is she now? Can I meet her?"
>Feels relieved at least there's someone that we know here, even if we have only known for her a few days.
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>"Then, if... if it isn't rude of me to ask this, what ARE you?"
>"A youkai," she says. "Before you ask, a satori. I can read minds. And yes, yours too. I apologize, but I can't help it."
>Have a quick glance at the weird eye thingy on Satori's chest.
>Wonder what it is.
>"So Utsuho lives here? Where is she now? Can I meet her?"
>Feels relieved at least there's someone that we know here, even if we have only known for her a few days.
>You're not sure, but it's pretty weird looking.
>"She's in the city right now, dealing with some personal business. I couldn't tell you where. And, if you're willing to wait, she'll be back home in good time."
>It is nice to have someone around you know, at least.
>_
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>Ooo... mind reading? Time to put the scientific method to the test!
>Concentrate on the image of a strawberry icecream cone
>"What am I thinking of, now?"
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>Ooo... mind reading? Time to put the scientific method to the test!
>Concentrate on the image of a strawberry icecream cone
>"What am I thinking of, now?"
>"It's a food of some kind," she says. "An...ice cream cone? Is that right? Strawberry flavored."
>_
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>"Wow, that's-"
>One more go
>Think of sitting in a hammock under a maple tree
>"How about now?"
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>Feels a bit uncomfortable knowing she read minds. :ohdear:
>"Thanks for the accommodation. I can't imagine what would happen if I didn't came to where Utsuho lives..."
>Hope Renko is safe.
>"Do you have any suggestion what I should do now? Can you tell me how to get back home?"
>"Is there any way I can repay you for taking care of me while I was unconscious?"
>"The city? What is it like?"
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>"Wow, that's-"
>One more go
>Think of sitting in a hammock under a maple tree
>"How about now?"
>"Sitting in a hammock under a tree," she says.
>Feels a bit uncomfortable knowing she read minds. :ohdear:
>"Thanks for the accommodation. I can't imagine what would happen if I didn't came to where Utsuho lives..."
>Hope Renko is safe.
>"Do you have any suggestion what I should do now? Can you tell me how to get back home?"
>"Is there any way I can repay you for taking care of me while I was unconscious?"
>"The city? What is it like?"
>This is really cool! But...oh man, that means she can probably read everything and you got private things...
>"I try not to," she says, "But it's hard."
>You hope that Renko is okay. She's a smart person, but sometimes she's a little too analytical and logical, and it gets her into trouble.
>"It'd be best if you just rested for awhile. And, I don't know if you can. It would be a good idea to ask the Hakurei Maiden, she knows a little about these kinds of things."
>"Don't worry about it."
>"It's full of oni, and would be rather dangerous for you."
>As Satori answers the question, a crow flies over you, and drops a basket onto you lap, nearly hitting the kitten that has taken residence there. There seems to be a couple small loaves of bread and a little dish of butter.
>_
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>"Wow, that crow is amazingly well-trained. Um, are these animals magical, too?"
>"And I assume this is for me, right?"
>If so, start nibbling a little
>"And I'm sorry if I was treating you as a guinea pig, there. It's just, well... we've looked all our lives for stuff like this. Sure, being here is kinda scary, but on the other hand it's almost a dream come true."
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> Thank Satori and the crow for the food.
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>"Wow, that crow is amazingly well-trained. Um, are these animals magical, too?"
>"And I assume this is for me, right?"
>If so, start nibbling a little
>"And I'm sorry if I was treating you as a guinea pig, there. It's just, well... we've looked all our lives for stuff like this. Sure, being here is kinda scary, but on the other hand it's almost a dream come true."
>"It's not that I trained her, but rather than she understands me. And, not right now, but some of these little cuties may develop it later on.
>She nods.
>This bread is...not half bad! Must have been baked recently. And, you are hungry.
>"It's alright," says Satori, "But there are people who will think you're making fun of them.
> Thank Satori and the crow for the food.
>"You're welcome," she says. The crow caws in your direction.
>_
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>"So... you say there's a city full of oni out there? And that it wouldn't be safe for me to... say, go for a walk around?"
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>"So... you say there's a city full of oni out there? And that it wouldn't be safe for me to... say, go for a walk around?"
>"I wouldn't recommend it," says Satori. "Oni tend to be a bit funny about humans."
>_
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>"Are there no other humans around here, then?"
>"But I guess this place is safe enough from them?"
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>"Are there no other humans around here, then?"
>"But I guess this place is safe enough from them?"
>"Not underground, to my knowledge," says Satori.
>"Yes, they respect the sanctity of our home."
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> Do we know the time?
> If not, ask Satori about the time
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>"Wait, we're... underground? A whole city's underground?"
>"And I guess it would be too much to hope they'd also respect the sanctity of a guest? I guess I should probably wait for someone to show me around the place, then..."
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>"I also remember someone called Parsee being with Utsuho, is she here and...not human too?"
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> Do we know the time?
> If not, ask Satori about the time
>You're not really sure.
>"It's just after breakfast," says Satori. "Had you woken up half an hour ago, it wouldn't have been a problem for you to join us."
>"Wait, we're... underground? A whole city's underground?"
>"And I guess it would be too much to hope they'd also respect the sanctity of a guest? I guess I should probably wait for someone to show me around the place, then..."
>She nods.
>"No, once you're in their city, you are accepting their hospitality."
>"I also remember someone called Parsee being with Utsuho, is she here and...not human too?"
>You vaguely recall Parsee. She hung around Utsuho, and was kind of a shit, really.
>"Yes, on both counts. I believe she dwells near the bridge leading from the city."
>_
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>"So... I hope I'm not just going to have to stay cooped up in this place for fear of going outside. No offense intended, of course."
>"Do you think Utsuho would be able to show me around after she gets back? Or would that still be a bad idea for me?"
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>"I see two other portraits on the wall besides you and Utsuho, who are they?"
>EAT SOME MOAR BREAD WE'RE HUNGRY.
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>"So... I hope I'm not just going to have to stay cooped up in this place for fear of going outside. No offense intended, of course."
>"Do you think Utsuho would be able to show me around after she gets back? Or would that still be a bad idea for me?"
>"It would be wise of you," she says.
>"I don't expect to see her until sometime this afternoon," says Satori, "But I think she would, if she's not busy or previously engaged."
>"I see two other portraits on the wall besides you and Utsuho, who are they?"
>EAT SOME MOAR BREAD WE'RE HUNGRY.
>"Ah, that would be Orin, my other ward, and my estranged sister Koishi." She gestures to the red-haired woman and the teal-haired one in turn.
>You have some more bread, and it is delicious. And then when you put that butter on it? Oh god. What the hell have stores been selling you?
>_
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> "I hope I'm not rude but....erm......how exactly did a Satori get the name Satori?"
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>"This is really good by the way. Seriously."
>"And is there anything else you think I should know, for the moment?"
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> "I hope I'm not rude but....erm......how exactly did a Satori get the name Satori?"
>She shrugs. "Mom wasn't in her right mind at the naming ceremony, I've been told."
>"This is really good by the way. Seriously."
>"And is there anything else you think I should know, for the moment?"
>"I'm glad you like it," she says.
>"I'm not sure," says Satori, "To be honest, there's a lot of the other world I do not remember. It would be a good idea to be on your best behavior around youkai in general, though."
>_
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>"Well, I like to think I'm pretty polite in general. I'll try not to fawn all over them in my curiosity, though."
>"So... what is it you do around here, anyway?"
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>Does our ability to detect "spheres of influence" have any kind of use that we know of?
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>"Well, I like to think I'm pretty polite in general. I'll try not to fawn all over them in my curiosity, though."
>"So... what is it you do around here, anyway?"
>She nods, then says, "I take care of my little friends. I sew. I take care of meals and cleaning much of the time. I listen to Utsuho and Orin's stories. Sometimes, I'll sit on the balcony and enjoy the music."
>Does our ability to detect "spheres of influence" have any kind of use that we know of?
>Sort of. You know when you're moving between one region and another.
>_
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>"Balcony? Does it have a view of the city that would be safe for me to see?"
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>"Balcony? Does it have a view of the city that would be safe for me to see?"
>"I think so. Take the stairs to the west, and follow them to the end."
>_
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>"I think I'll go have a look out there now, if you don't mind?"
>Head towards the balcony
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>"I think I'll go have a look out there now, if you don't mind?"
>Head towards the balcony
>"Very well," says Satori.
>You follow her directions, finding yourself in a hall much like the one before, but much less dusty and more lived in. At the end of it lies a set of double doors. You walk through them, and step out onto a balcony.
>The first thing you notice is the music, a lively tune born from numerous instruments playing together and harmonizing to into a fast-paced song that is difficult not to want to dance to. You see the cavern roof, far above you. Stalactites hang down from it, and you think you can see the hint of clouds around them? That you can see it at comes from the light of the city before you. It fills the cavern, numerous single-story buildings with colorful tiled roofs. Lanterns are everywhere. You can see people milling about in the distance. And, you think you even seem a few of them floating about in the air.
>It takes you a little while to look away. It's so...wonderful. Yo're having a hard time believing Satori's warnings of danger now. Right now, you really want to explore that city and beyond. Especially if someone like Utsuho and Renko might be out there.
>_
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> Enjoy the view a bit more
> Keep an eye out for Utsuho
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> Enjoy the view a bit more
> Keep an eye out for Utsuho
>You enjoy the view a bit more. You find yourself tapping along with the music against the railing.
>You don't see Utsuho, but she would be really easy to miss at a distance. You do think you can see that bridge that Satori mentioned, though.
>_
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>Go back to Satori
>"Is there no way for me to safely have a look around the city? Is there anyone else that might be willing to guide me? I'm sorry... I'm just so excited to see what's out there, right now."
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>Go back to Satori
>"Is there no way for me to safely have a look around the city? Is there anyone else that might be willing to guide me? I'm sorry... I'm just so excited to see what's out there, right now."
>You tear yourself away and return to the sitting room.
>"I'm afraid not," says Satori. "Neither Utsuho nor Orin will be back for hours."
>_
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>"What are Utsuho and Orin doing, anyways?"
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>"What are Utsuho and Orin doing, anyways?"
>"Orin is dealing with affairs in the Hell of Blazing Fires, which is just below us before you ask. I'd tell you more, but you'd find the details distasteful. Utsuho is out handling some personal matters right now."
>"And yes, Blazing Hell is exactly as dangerous as it sounds. You can't go there unescorted. It would be much worse for you than the city. An oni would just kidnap you.
>_
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> "I see...well, if you don't mind, could you give me a tour of the palace?"
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> "I see...well, if you don't mind, could you give me a tour of the palace?"
>She shakes her head. "...I am not very comfortable with crowds of complex minds."
>_
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> "Well, er, do you know anything to do to past the time?"
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> "Well, er, do you know anything to do to past the time?"
>"I would be happy to have you assist with my sewing." says Satori.
>Ugh...
>_
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>"Maybe you could explain some more about this... different Gensokyo? I know I sound like an overeager schoolgirl, but..."
>"For starters, I think you mentioned a... Hakumei maiden or something that might be able to help me? What should I know about her?"
>"... and since I'm probably being rude after all your hospitality, I could try and help with the sewing while we talk." Amend with admission of Mary's skill level at this.
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>"Maybe you could explain some more about this... different Gensokyo? I know I sound like an overeager schoolgirl, but..."
>"For starters, I think you mentioned a... Hakumei maiden or something that might be able to help me? What should I know about her?"
>"... and since I'm probably being rude after all your hospitality, I could try and help with the sewing while we talk." Amend with admission of Mary's skill level at this.
>"Well, the shrine maiden does much to keep the peace," says Satori. "She's the one who keep youkai from causing too much of a disturbance, and sometimes keeps humans and gods under control as well. Mind you, she has help, but her track record is impressive."
>You've never sewed in your life. It just seemed boring. You confess the former part, but you suspect she caught the latter part.
>She frowns. "Well...I suppose that a small walk wouldn't hurt..."
>_
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> "I suppose mind reading is just like breathing for you? I've always thought being able to read minds would be very useful, how is it for you though?"
> Try to avoid getting too excited.
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>"And a walk would be nice, if you're willing. We don't have to go anywhere with more than uh... I'm guessing these are your pets, but I'd like to see more of this place if it's safe."
>That and it's probably more interesting than sitting around sewing, even for her...
>... wait, she caught that, didn't she? Damnit.
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> "I suppose mind reading is just like breathing for you? I've always thought being able to read minds would be very useful, how is it for you though?"
> Try to avoid getting too excited.
>"It's...a little irksome, to be honest," says Satori. "You feel people's disappointment."
>You try to curb your excitement, but there's so much stuff to see!
>"And a walk would be nice, if you're willing. We don't have to go anywhere with more than uh... I'm guessing these are your pets, but I'd like to see more of this place if it's safe."
>That and it's probably more interesting than sitting around sewing, even for her...
>... wait, she caught that, didn't she? Damnit.
>"I think we'll be fine," she says.
>"Oh, you'd be surprised how interesting it can be," says Satori, and she shoos the cats from her lap and stands up, then starts for the door.
>_
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>This mind-reading stuff IS jarring. Poor girl. At least people have to be honest with her, though.
>give your lapcat a pat before getting up to follow Satori.
>"How would that shrine maiden be able to help me, do you think? Or is she just the typical go-to when something strange happens?"
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>This mind-reading stuff IS jarring. Poor girl. At least people have to be honest with her, though.
>give your lapcat a pat before getting up to follow Satori.
>"How would that shrine maiden be able to help me, do you think? Or is she just the typical go-to when something strange happens?"
>"You get used to it," she says.
>The kitten purrs, then moves for you.
>"Well, she is kind of the go to person. But, in particular, she knows a fair amount about barriers. Her bloodline had a role in establishing the barrier between this world and the other.
>She leads you into the entry hall. It's rather barren, save for some large pictures. One of them shows frolicking faeries, and looks rather interesting. Walking between the pillars, you can see a pile of kittens involved in a brawl. There is a pigeon watching them from the door frame.
>_
>_
-
>Watch the kitten brawl for a bit and smile.
>"Barriers? What kind of barriers, and how do you think that would relate to me?"
>Wonder where your own border-noting ability might fit into all this...
>"And a more mundane question... what's the story behind the fairy picture? Are they... uh, real, too?"
-
>Watch the kitten brawl for a bit and smile.
>"Barriers? What kind of barriers, and how do you think that would relate to me?"
>Wonder where your own border-noting ability might fit into all this...
>"And a more mundane question... what's the story behind the fairy picture? Are they... uh, real, too?"
>So cute~
>"It is a difficult concept to explain," she says. "Essentially, though, you slipped through when you shouldn't have. And if we're to get you back, we'll have to slip you through again.
>You wonder if this shrine maiden could do it, too? Or if you could see it if you've gotten close? You know you've sensed places where reality seemed thin, in the past.
>She leads you outside. You can see the Palace of the Earth Spirits is a rather blocky building, covered in vines and creepers. The area you are in is rather empty, the buildings nearby; which are not all that nearby for a cramped city like you say before, seem to be empty, or not at all in use. The streets lead south and west.
>"That picture? It's been in the family for some time," says Satori. "But yes, there are faeries. They are...a little unpredictable. But they shouldn't be too dangerous for you, as long as you do not anger them."
>_
-
> "I am assuming that due to being unpredicable, they can end up easily angered at times."
> "Despite what you have said, Youkai don't seem dangerous... so far. The first Youkai I meet, and it's a kind and caring Youkai who can read minds, you. I hope all the others I may end up meeting are as kind as you." Honest smile :)
-
> "I am assuming that due to being unpredicable, they can end up easily angered at times."
> "Despite what you have said, Youkai don't seem dangerous... so far. The first Youkai I meet, and it's a kind and caring Youkai who can read minds, you. I hope all the others I may end up meeting are as kind as you." Honest smile :)
>"They can be. But you can usually placate them when they're in an irritable mood."
>Satori leads you south, into the city itself. You can see a few oni milling about! They are...interesting, to say the least. They seem to many shapes and sizes, but most of them are large and rather muscular. They also seem to favor manacles and chains among their personal decor; you're going to have to get used to the jangling quickly. Most distinctive are their horns, which are really hard not to stare at. It's easy to act like Satori is just a normal person, despite her oddly short arms, but the otherworldliness of the oni is impossible to ignore. This is so exciting!
>"You're such a little sweetie when you want to be," Satori says.
>You come to a intersection of two streets. To the south, you can see a rundown section of town; many of the houses have collapsed or fallen apart. To the west, you can see a thriving area with many oni about. Judging from the signs, there are a lot of taverns in that direction. Certainly there are a lot of oni drinking and dancing.
>_
-
>blush a little at the complement, then nod
>"What about other... things, for lack of a better word, in Gensokyo? Which ones would be dangerous for me, and why?"
>"... did I see people flying when I was at the balcony?"
>Wonder how much you really WANT to go back...
-
>blush a little at the complement, then nod
>"What about other... things, for lack of a better word, in Gensokyo? Which ones would be dangerous for me, and why?"
>"... did I see people flying when I was at the balcony?"
>Wonder how much you really WANT to go back...
>"Well, it gets a little tricky. There are so many things to be wary of. For instance, these things."
>She leads you further south, into the ruined area. There's not a lot left standing here you can see. Some of the buildings seem to have suffered from fire, others have just collapsed. You have the sense that the borders here are a little in question, but you can't tell how or what over. There is a lone two-story house to the east, not far from the wall off the cavern, that is just about ready to collapse under its own weight.
>Satori gestures upwards. Looking up, you can see...points of white light floating in the in sky. "Those are evil spirits," she says. "Orin collects them. But we leave this place alone. It's for them, by word of the oni."
>_
-
>"The boundaries here are... strange. Is that because of all the spirits?"
-
>"Whoa..."
>"What are they, more specifically? Lost souls? How does Orin collect them, and what does she do with them?"
-
>"The boundaries here are... strange. Is that because of all the spirits?"
>"Are they?" says Satori. "It may be the spirits."
>"Whoa..."
>"What are they, more specifically? Lost souls? How does Orin collect them, and what does she do with them?"
>"They are what happen when a youkai steals away the body of the deceased before they face judgment. As youkai who do those kind of things tend toward the more unpleasant sorts of people, the name stuck. As for Orin, she collects corpses, and puts the spirits to work tending to Blazing Hell. The ones here, though, are remnants of the time before this city was ceded to the oni, and was a part of Hell as well."
>_
-
>"We're in Hell?!"
-
>OH MY GOD WE'RE DEAD AND WE'VE BEEN BANISHED TO HELL
-
> "Hell... Please tell me you are kidding... your not kidding are you?"
>"That is quite a surprise. I always thought of Hell as full of suffering, evil, mayhem cruelty and such. Not city filled with Oni who are willing to leave others alone, and a kind mind reader with lot's of pets living in a rather beautiful home.
-
>"We're in Hell?!"
>"Former Hell," says Satori. "Don't panic. You're not in any more danger than you were before. But, don't bother the evil spirits if you can help it. They're ornery."
> "Hell... Please tell me you are kidding... your not kidding are you?"
>"That is quite a surprise. I always thought of Hell as full of suffering, evil, mayhem cruelty and such. Not city filled with Oni who are willing to leave others alone, and a kind mind reader with lot's of pets living in a rather beautiful home.
>"I'm not kidding." says Satori.
>"What's left of Blazing Hell was like that. But they don't use it anymore. And the oni are only leaving you alone because I'm here."
>_
>_
-
>Swallow hard.
>"I... I see. Uh... do I want to know why Orin... collects corpses? Or what the... spirits do in Blazing Hell?"
-
>Swallow hard.
>"I... I see. Uh... do I want to know why Orin... collects corpses? Or what the... spirits do in Blazing Hell?"
>"Don't worry, you're fine," says Satori. "But it is good to be cautious."
>"She does it for fun, really. As to what they do, I think they keep the fires stoked. Really, though, she's not been so passionate about it in the last couple years."
>_
-
>"... for fun?... Er, what sort of corpses does she collect...?"
>please don't be human please don't be human
-
>"... for fun?... Er, what sort of corpses does she collect...?"
>please don't be human please don't be human
>"Whatever she can find, I imagine," says Satori.
>The Evil Spirits are starting to gather overhead.
>_
-
>"Alright then. Um... maybe we should go. The spirits are moving a little..."
>"Why do they have this place, though?"
-
>"Alright then. Um... maybe we should go. The spirits are moving a little..."
>"Why do they have this place, though?"
>"Yes, lets," says Satori. She starts heading back north.
>"The oni let them live here so they won't be a nuisance elsewhere."
-
>follow and nod
>"That sounds fair."
>"What are, um, oni usually like, anyway? They sound like they can be a little dangerous from what you've said, but I'm not entirely sure how."
>First guess: Muscles of Huge.
-
>follow and nod
>"That sounds fair."
>"What are, um, oni usually like, anyway? They sound like they can be a little dangerous from what you've said, but I'm not entirely sure how."
>First guess: Muscles of Huge.
>You follow her back toward the intersection.
>"They aren't bad people," says Satori. "They're very forthright and honest. It's just, they're a little raucous as well. But, if you can-" Satori looks back. "Excuse me?"
>_
-
>Is she looking at us, or beyond us?
>If at: "Er, was it the muscles thing? I noticed that and it seemed like an okay first guess about how oni can be dangerous..."
>If beyond: She must have mind-read something behind us! Step forward and turn to see!
-
>Is she looking at us, or beyond us?
>If at: "Er, was it the muscles thing? I noticed that and it seemed like an okay first guess about how oni can be dangerous..."
>If beyond: She must have mind-read something behind us! Step forward and turn to see!
>She is looking beyond and kind of behind.
>You step forward, and turn to see a large black-haired oni running toward you!
>_
-
>Panic
-
>Panic
>You panic! You even add in a lovely screech for effect!
>The oni doesn't seem impressed! Or maybe she is, and she's just too busy reaching out to grab you by the waist to notice.
>_
-
>Dash and try to put Satori between yourself and the Oni before it can reach out and grab you
-
>Dash and try to put Satori between yourself and the Oni before it can reach out and grab you
>You try to dash aside. But really, this turns more into diving aside as you trip over your own feet and fall to the cobblestone road. Ow...
>Still, you hear the oni pass you by, cursing in the process.
>_
-
>Scrabble to your feet, or at least knees, and try again to hide behind Satori. She DID say she was the reason the Oni were leaving you alone, right?
-
>Scrabble to your feet, or at least knees, and try again to hide behind Satori. She DID say she was the reason the Oni were leaving you alone, right?
>You start getting to your feet.
>The oni skids to a halt nearby. You note she is dressed somewhat in the manner of an import samurai or magistrate, in reds and grays. She grins at you, "Good dodge! Keep it up!"
>She then approaches again, moving quickly, but not at the full out run from before.
>_
-
>Try to keep moving towards Satori
>Keep on eye on the Oni, and if we can, shift quickly at the moment she gets near us (but before being in arm's reach)
>"Why are you doing this?"
-
>Try to keep moving towards Satori
>Keep on eye on the Oni, and if we can, shift quickly at the moment she gets near us (but before being in arm's reach)
>"Why are you doing this?"
>Not being quite on your feet yet, you crawl toward Satori.
>You try to keep an eye on the Oni, and jerk aside as she tries to grab the back of your dress.
>"What? You're the first human I've seen in down here in ages!" says the oni.
>A couple rings of light fly over your head and toward the oni, forcing her to duck and taking her attention from you.
>_
-
>Try to keep moving where we're going
>But look towards where the rings came from to determine their source
-
>Try to keep moving where we're going
>But look towards where the rings came from to determine their source
>You keep crawling toward Satori, who is now floating in midair, and seems to be the source of those rings.
>It takes you a moment to stop staring. She seems a lot more youkai-like now! The sound of something like a knife being pulled from a cover draws your attention, though.
>_
-
>Does the knife sound seem to be coming from the oni's direction?
>Either way, scrabble to our feet and turn to face the noise
>Be ready to dodge/stumble out of the way, again, on a moment's notice
-
>Does the knife sound seem to be coming from the oni's direction?
>Either way, scrabble to our feet and turn to face the noise
>Be ready to dodge/stumble out of the way, again, on a moment's notice
>Yes, yes it does.
>You get back to your feet, and look back to see the oni facing Satori, with a straight-bladed katana in hand, grinning as she ducks around another ring that Satori tossed. "Did you just challenge me on my own turf?" she asks.
>Thankfully, the oni doesn't seem to be paying attention to you.
>_
-
>Back away to a somewhat safe distance, without getting too far away from Satori that it might be dangerous
>Hope that Satori can hold her own, here
>Inventory
-
>Back away to a somewhat safe distance, without getting too far away from Satori that it might be dangerous
>Hope that Satori can hold her own, here
>Inventory
>You back away from the fight, as the oni makes an z-shaped cut in the air, sending a Z-shaped line of glowing shots directly at Satori.
>Satori ducks and weaves through them, but a few of them come perilously close to her. She begins to conjure more of those rings, then the oni closes in on her!
>It's hard to tear your eyes away and check what you have onhand.
>Your inventory contains
>Purple Dress (Worn as Clothes)
>Mop Hat (Worn as Hat)
>5☼
>_
>_
-
>Quickly scan the area for any makeshift weapons, or something that might at least be able to be used to cause a distraction
>Otherwise, keep an eye on both of them
>"Hey! What do you have against us, anyway? We were just minding out own business!"
-
>Quickly scan the area for any makeshift weapons, or something that might at least be able to be used to cause a distraction
>Otherwise, keep an eye on both of them
>"Hey! What do you have against us, anyway? We were just minding out own business!"
>You note a couple of loose cobblestones, and a discarded bottle
>"Not a thing!" says the oni cheerchully as she slashes at Satori, who ducks under the strike. At first, it should seem that someone like Satori would be unbeatable, being able to see everything coming before it comes. But, you are starting to see that she simply isn't as fast as the oni. You don't think she's as fast as you, actually...
>_
-
>Edge over towards the bottle
>"Then what? Do oni get their kicks from picking fights with people weaker than them?"
-
>Have bottle in one hand, pebbles along with a handful of sand/dirt (assuming the ground is not paved...) on the other hand.
>I don't think crying for help is going to help our bargaining position with an Oni at the moment. Best to keep a stiff upper lip. And we're in the middle of nowhere, city-wise, anyway
Yeah, I know, I editted it out before you posted this anyways.
-
>I don't think crying for help is going to help our bargaining position with an Oni at the moment. Best to keep a stiff upper lip. And we're in the middle of nowhere, city-wise, anyway
-
>Edge over towards the bottle
>"Then what? Do oni get their kicks from picking fights with people weaker than them?"
>You edge toward the bottle, it's just at your feet now.
>"Hey now, who made the first shot?" asks the Oni. as she slips between another of Satori's shots, giving Satori time to open up some distance.
>Have bottle in one hand, pebbles along with a handful of sand/dirt (assuming the ground is not paved...) on the other hand.
>There don't seem to be any loose pebbles about, save those cobblestones which are a good couple inches across, or enough loose dirt to grab.
>I don't think crying for help is going to help our bargaining position with an Oni at the moment. Best to keep a stiff upper lip. And we're in the middle of nowhere, city-wise, anyway
>It's just the three of you at the intersection right now, but to the west are a number of oni, some who seem to be noticing the fight.
>_
>_
-
>"She may have shot before you did, but this started when you tried to attack me in the first place. And what am I supposed to do? I can't shoot energy with my hands."
>Pick up the bottle
-
>"She may have shot before you did, but this started when you tried to attack me in the first place. And what am I supposed to do? I can't shoot energy with my hands."
>Pick up the bottle
>"Well yeah, human in my turf?" says the oni, "What'd you expect?"
>"Don't think it, Maribel!" Satori says. "It'll just make things worse!"
>_
-
>"Your turf? In case you didn't notice, I'm not from around here. How am I supposed to know the rules?"
-
>"Your turf? In case you didn't notice, I'm not from around here. How am I supposed to know the rules?"
>"Oh, my mistake," says the Oni, as she ducks around some large shots that Satori conjured. "This is my turf! But really, you should know about the city in general!" She then holds her blade straight, cradling the back with her palm, and sends a number of straight beams at Satori.
>This is either the most frightening or most awesome moment of your life, and you have no idea which it is right. now...
>_
-
>"Well, I thought you might leave me alone since I'm her guest. You leave HER alone don't you? Or, at least I thought you did."
-
>Think to Satori : Do you think you can land a hit on her if I distract or provoke her to attack me?
>Oh right, I can't read mind how can you reply. Err, can you shoot a green ring if you think it'd work. Red if you think it won't.
-
>"Well, I thought you might leave me alone since I'm her guest. You leave HER alone don't you? Or, at least I thought you did."
>"Hey now," says the oni, as she dodges around more disks, "I wasn't messing with her at all, I was coming for you! But if it's really such a problem, you could always surrender."
>Satori is starting to look a bit hard pressed, while the Oni is clearly enjoying herself.
>Think to Satori : Do you think you can land a hit on her if I distract or provoke her to attack me?
>"Be careful, Maribel!" Satori says after you think this.
>_
-
>"What would you have done with me, if you'd caught me in the first place?"
-
>"What would you have done with me, if you'd caught me in the first place?"
>"The usual," says the oni. "Take you home, have you clean up the place, get dinner ready, feats of strength, all you can drink, you'd love it!"
>_
-
>"I don't think you'd be much interested in any 'feats of strength' I'd be capable of performing, to be honest..."
>Did we ever drink much?
>"And that seems a pretty flimsy reason to attack someone. Is that just tradition down here, or something?"
-
>"I don't think you'd be much interested in any 'feats of strength' I'd be capable of performing, to be honest..."
>Did we ever drink much?
>"And that seems a pretty flimsy reason to attack someone. Is that just tradition down here, or something?"
>"It's the effort that counts!" says the Oni, grinning as she closes the distance between herself in Satori again.
>Not really, you don't like the taste of most alcohol. Though you have enjoyed some of what Renko has jokingly called fruity girl drinks.
>"Not attack, kidnap! There's a difference!"
>_
-
>"Oh, there's a difference, is there? But you're still willing to hurt Satori to get to me? I'm pretty sure that still counts as an attack by proxy."
-
>"Oh, there's a difference, is there? But you're still willing to hurt Satori to get to me? I'm pretty sure that still counts as an attack by proxy."
>"Hey, she attacked me," says the she reverses her sword, and tries to slam the hilt into Satori's stomach. Satori moves, but it still catches her on the side.
>_
-
>"Hey, she attacked you because you attacked me. Don't you get how that works? Or are those muscles of yours getting in the way of your brain?"
>"And would you rather beat up someone who clearly can't hit you, while the real prize calmly strolls away?"
>Start to walk away from them. Be ready to move suddenly based on what sound we hear behind us.
-
>"Hey, she attacked you because you attacked me. Don't you get how that works? Or are those muscles of yours getting in the way of your brain?"
>"And would you rather beat up someone who clearly can't hit you, while the real prize calmly strolls away?"
>Start to walk away from them. Be ready to move suddenly based on what sound we hear behind us.
>"Blame her for throwing the first shot," says the oni.
>"Oh come on!" she says, as you start to walk away.
>You start to walk off. "Don't run off!" Satori cries, but you're pretty sure she knows what you're planning.
>You most definitely hear the oni coming up behind you.
>_
-
>Are there any nearby rocks or structures we could try ducking behind?
>If not, when the oni sounds close, try casually dropping the bottle using a backwards rolling motion, sending it along the ground towards the oni. If we're exceedingly lucky, it might at least force her to adjust her footing
-
>Are there any nearby rocks or structures we could try ducking behind?
>If not, when the oni sounds close, try casually dropping the bottle using a backwards rolling motion, sending it along the ground towards the oni. If we're exceedingly lucky, it might at least force her to adjust her footing
>There is an alley nearby, you may be able to get to it.
>_
-
>Try to, anyway
-
>Try to, anyway
>You run for the alley! You hear the oni getting closer to you, she is definitely faster.
>It gets closer, but so does the oni...then you duck in!
>_
-
>Quickly assess our surroundings
-
>Quickly assess our surroundings
>The alley is about twice your shoulder width, and filled with a fair amount of debris. There are some back doors as well.
>_
-
>Go to a door (not the closest one)
>Open it and have a quick peek inside
-
>Go to a door (not the closest one)
>Open it and have a quick peek inside
>You start toward one of the doors, when you hear the oni come into the alley after you.
>_
-
>Quickly hide behind a pile of debris, if we think she hasn't seen us yet
-
>Quickly hide behind a pile of debris, if we think she hasn't seen us yet
>Being out in the open, you are completely sure she's seen you.
>_
-
>Spare a quick glance behind us. Is Satori close behind her?
>"You know, I think you're having entirely too much fun, here."
>How close are we to the nearest door?
-
>Spare a quick glance behind us. Is Satori close behind her?
>"You know, I think you're having entirely too much fun, here."
>How close are we to the nearest door?
>You spare a quick glance and oh god she's close!
>"Nothing wrong with that, is there?"
>You're a few yards away from the nearest door.
-
>"Yes, but you see, I'm not!"
>Dash for the nearest door
>Try doing the bottle rolling thing while we dash to it. Probably won't accomplish anything, but you never know...
-
>"Yes, but you see, I'm not!"
>Dash for the nearest door
>Try doing the bottle rolling thing while we dash to it. Probably won't accomplish anything, but you never know...
>"You should lighten up and enjoy things!"
>You dash for the door, rolling the bottle behind you. You hear the oni curse, which leads you to think you've had some success!
>You reach the door.
>_
-
>Open it, and unless there appears to be more oni just inside, dash in and shut it behind us. Don't stop moving to do that, though.
-
>Open it, and unless there appears to be more oni just inside, dash in and shut it behind us. Don't stop moving to do that, though.
>You grab the door, turn the knob, and thank heaven it isn't locked! Throwing the door open, you dash inside, seeing no oni immediately.
>You can't really close the door behing you effectively and stay moving, so you setting for just slamming it shut.
>You're in a room full of shelves and barrels which are likely full of all kinds of neat junk if you had the time to look. There's a door ahead!
>You're starting to feel slightly winded.
>_
-
>Do any of the barrels look open or empty in the moment we have to access such things?
>If so, consider hiding in one
>Otherwise, repeat the same procedure with the next door
-
>Do any of the barrels look open or empty in the moment we have to access such things?
>If so, consider hiding in one
>Otherwise, repeat the same procedure with the next door
>You don't have time to really assess this, as the door flies open behind you. Instead you just dash ahead!
>You come into a kitchen, the oni chasing you hot on your heels. There is a brown-haired oni in here, giving you a confused look. A large counter runs through the middle of the kitchen, and you can see a door to your left!
>_
-
>Try to position yourself so that the table (and the other oni) is between you and your pursuer, while still placing you closer to the door, if possible
>"Hey, is she allowed in here with that thing?"
-
>Try to position yourself so that the table (and the other oni) is between you and your pursuer, while still placing you closer to the door, if possible
>"Hey, is she allowed in here with that thing?"
>You run around the counter, and find the oni is following you around.
>"What're you doing in here?!" shouts the brown-haired oni, whom you assume is a cook.
>"My turf!" shouts your pursuer
>_
-
>"I already said, how the heck was I supposed to know that? Satori was just showing me around. And then you start trying to beat her up, too."
>Is the counter on top of a solid island, or is the space underneath it that we could use to get from one side of the counter to the other?
>Continue trying to keep our distance. If it's possible to roll under the counter, do so
-
>"I already said, how the heck was I supposed to know that? Satori was just showing me around. And then you start trying to beat her up, too."
>Is the counter on top of a solid island, or is the space underneath it that we could use to get from one side of the counter to the other?
>Continue trying to keep our distance. If it's possible to roll under the counter, do so
>"I was telling her!" says your pursuer.
>The counter is not a solid island, you could slip under it.
>You keep moving and slip under the counter; your smaller size giving you something of an advantage against your pursuer as she tries to follow you through.
>_
-
>"We were already on our way out! You do realize Utsuho isn't going to be too happy with you when she hears about this, right?"
>Keep moving around the table, and trying to duck under when necessary
-
>"We were already on our way out! You do realize Utsuho isn't going to be too happy with you when she hears about this, right?"
>Keep moving around the table, and trying to duck under when necessary
>"She's got her own problems, these days!" says the oni.
>You duck back through the counter. The oni's response is to upend it, and barrel toward you!
>_
-
>Can we maneuver back to the door we came in through, and run back out?
>Otherwise, head for the other door
-
>Can we maneuver back to the door we came in through, and run back out?
>Otherwise, head for the other door
>The way you came in is behind you. The other door is to your left.
>"What the hell!" shouts the cook.
>_
-
>Head through the left door
-
>Head through the left door
>You head for the left door, just barely evading a grab by your pursuer!
>You come into a wide room, apparently a pub or eatery of some kind judging from the tables and chairs. Most notably, there is a bar counter in your way. Several oni at the tables look your way curiously.
>You pursuer has not given up, though you've gained a little distance on her.
>_
-
>Is there anyone else on this side of the bar?
>If so: "I don't suppose you approve of angry people with swords in your establishment?"
>Try to head around the bar counter
-
>Is there anyone else on this side of the bar?
>If so: "I don't suppose you approve of angry people with swords in your establishment?"
>Try to head around the bar counter
>There is someone tending to the bar, but she is a little too surprised to really react.
>You dash around the counter, as your pursuer emerges from the kitchen.
>_
-
>Keep heading towards the actual door. Try to stay out of arm's reach of any oni patrons, if you can.
>Can you see anyone who doesn't look like an oni?
-
>Keep heading towards the actual door. Try to stay out of arm's reach of any oni patrons, if you can.
>Can you see anyone who doesn't look like an oni?
>You run for the front door!
>You pursuer vaults over the bar and closes a significant amount of the distance between the two of you.
>Thankfully, none of the oni seem to be grabbing at you; perhaps your pursuer has dibs? Unfortunately, you're too busy running for your life to really survey the racial makeup of the crowd.
>You burst from the tavern with the oni in hot pursuit! You can go right or left; or forward a bit until you hit the side of the opposing building.
>_
>_
-
>Do we have any idea what direction we split from Satori?
-
>Do we have any idea what direction we split from Satori?
>You could puzzle it out if you didn't mind the oni catching up to you in the meantime.
>_
-
>Run left. Keep an eye out for obstacles, or possible other avenues of escape
-
>Run left. Keep an eye out for obstacles, or possible other avenues of escape
>You run toward the left, and...there's Satori!
>She mouths something, then raises her hands.
>_
-
>Raises her hands in a sort of 'stop' gesture? Or in something more aggressive or potentially magical?
>Keep running towards her, and be prepared to duck to the ground if something flies our way towards the Oni
-
>Raises her hands in a sort of 'stop' gesture? Or in something more aggressive or potentially magical?
>Keep running towards her, and be prepared to duck to the ground if something flies our way towards the Oni
>More the latter.
>You keep running, as there is a definite spark around Satori's hands.
>You duck, practically diving down to the ground! You hear something sizzle and fly over your head, the back of your neck tingles. This is followed by a grunt from your pursuer, and of something heavy hitting the ground.
>_
-
>Quickly pull ourselves to our feet
>Head towards Satori
>Spare a glance at the oni. Does it seem out for the count, or just a little injured?
-
>Quickly pull ourselves to our feet
>Head towards Satori
>Spare a glance at the oni. Does it seem out for the count, or just a little injured?
>You get up, head for Satori, and practically hide behind the smaller woman.
>The Oni is sprawled out on the ground, looking up at the sky -no wait, ceiling- and seeming very dazed.
>"Are you okay?"
>_
-
>"I... I think so. I mean, I'm not injured, anyway. Terrified, maybe..."
-
>"I... I think so. I mean, I'm not injured, anyway. Terrified, maybe..."
>"Well, terror will go away, I should hope," says Satori.
>The oni groans.
>_
-
>"Yeah, I think I'll be ok."
>Keep a close eye on the oni
-
>"Yeah, I think I'll be ok."
>Keep a close eye on the oni
>Satori pats you on the arm. "There there, you've had a shock, that's all."
>The oni is definitely stirring.
>_
-
>"Um, I'm pretty sure she's getting back up."
>Back up, just a little
-
>"Um, I'm pretty sure she's getting back up."
>Back up, just a little
>"Don't worry about that," says Satori, as back away.
>_
-
>"Um, and why shouldn't I? She was pretty persistent before..."
-
>"Um, and why shouldn't I? She was pretty persistent before..."
>"She was, but she knows better now," says Satori.
>The oni rubs her face, avoiding the horn on her forehead smoothly. In retrospect, she would be used to it being there, wouldn't she?
>_
-
>"Ok, if you think it's safe, I'll try to have faith in that."
-
>"Ok, if you think it's safe, I'll try to have faith in that."
>"Ugh..." says the Oni. "Good one. Ran right into it. No fair, being small enough to hide in front of the human like that..."
>_
-
>"Hey, is her being smaller than you any more unfair than you being faster than her? You use what you have."
-
>"Hey, is her being smaller than you any more unfair than you being faster than her? You use what you have."
>She chuckles.
>"See, this is why you should have let me catch you."
>She sits up.
>_
-
>"Oh? And why is that?"
-
>"Oh? And why is that?"
>"We'd have all kinds of fun," she says, as she gets to her feet. "But you won fair and square."
>_
-
>"So, does that mean you go on your way and leave us alone, then?"
-
>"So, does that mean you go on your way and leave us alone, then?"
>"Gimme a minute," she says, moving her head from side to side to work her neck.
>It is really hard not to stare rudely at that horn, although she's awake now and would notice it.
>_
-
>Wait patiently for the oni to hopefully peaceably withdraw
>Be ready for any sudden movements of hers, just the same, under the guise of her getting straightened out
-
>Wait patiently for the oni to hopefully peaceably withdraw
>Be ready for any sudden movements of hers, just the same, under the guise of her getting straightened out
>She doesn't do anything particular untoward, just dusting off her clothes and straightening her hair. Then, curiously, she cups her hands to her mouth and shouts "Alright, ladies, listen up!"
>The street grows noticably quieter.
>"See this human here?"
>All eyes are on you, and you feel suddenly very embarrassed.
>"She's mine! Mess with her, mess with me! Got it?!"
>A chorus of agreements reply.
>"Good!" And with that, she's finished.
>"Watch it on the west side," says the oni, as she straightens out the shoulders on her clothes. "That's not my side."
>_
-
> "I'd think I'd like to go back now"
-
>"Ok, I'll keep that in mind. It was... interesting making your acquaintance. I don't suppose you could tell me your name?"
-
> "I'd think I'd like to go back now"
>Satori nods.
>"Ok, I'll keep that in mind. It was... interesting making your acquaintance. I don't suppose you could tell me your name?"
>"Same here," says the oni. "Around here, people just call me Deva K, or Kay if they're friendly. I hang out around Rose and Weasel down the street, if you wanna take me up after all."
>With that, she turns to leave.
>_
-
>To Satori: "Well, that was a little more excitement that I think I bargained for. Although I suppose I can't say you didn't warn me."
-
>To Satori: "Well, that was a little more excitement that I think I bargained for. Although I suppose I can't say you didn't warn me."
>"It turned out well, at least," she says, as she quickly makes her way eastward.
>_
-
>Follow her
>"Do you know that oni? And did she really just want to kidnap me so she could force me to party with them, or something?"
-
>Follow her
>"Do you know that oni? And did she really just want to kidnap me so she could force me to party with them, or something?"
>"I didn't know her, no," says Satori, hurrying along at a pace difficult to keep up with. "But she is right, or at least she believes she is, when she says that this is her turf. And, somewhat. But in the end, you'd be a slave. Perhaps a pampered one, but a slave nonetheless."
>_
-
>"So they don't let you leave when the party's over, or something?"
>"She mentioned that Utsuho is busy with her own problems these days. If it's not rude of me to ask, do you know what she meant?"
-
>"So they don't let you leave when the party's over, or something?"
>"She mentioned that Utsuho is busy with her own problems these days. If it's not rude of me to ask, do you know what she meant?"
>"I shouldn't go into details," says Satori. "But I suppose it's a well known matter as it is."
>She slows down as you reach the intersection where Kay attacked to begin with.
>"She is involved in a rivalry with another oni for the affections of a woman they both love."
>_
-
>"That doesn't sound very pleasant. If this is any indication of what oni can be like when they kind of like you, I'd hate to see what one would be like if they actually had something against you. Although, I suppose if she really is a youkai, hopefully she can at least hold her own a little."
-
>"That doesn't sound very pleasant. If this is any indication of what oni can be like when they kind of like you, I'd hate to see what one would be like if they actually had something against you. Although, I suppose if she really is a youkai, hopefully she can at least hold her own a little."
>"Oh, she'll hold her own, certainly," says Satori. "But, she's doing best to keep things civil."
>_
-
>"She seemed like a pretty nice person, from what I knew of her. The oni seem to have odd ideas about what is and isn't civil, though.... Is she... strong? I really have no idea how youkai work, sorry."
-
>"She seemed like a pretty nice person, from what I knew of her. The oni seem to have odd ideas about what is and isn't civil, though.... Is she... strong? I really have no idea how youkai work, sorry."
>"She should be much like you remember," says Satori. "And yes, quite so. I'd say there's not many who could match her."
>_
-
>"It'll be nice to see her again. For some reason, the last few days since I met her are kind of fuzzy. I wonder if that's a side-effect of being dragged along to here?"
-
>"It'll be nice to see her again. For some reason, the last few days since I met her are kind of fuzzy. I wonder if that's a side-effect of being dragged along to here?"
>She nods. "It is. Nearly everyone feels that way. Most believe it's was dream.. I did."
-
>"Did? Not do?"
-
>"Did? Not do?"
>She nods. "It still feels that way," she says, "But Okuu remembered. I trust her feelings."
>_
-
>"All of this here is normal for you, though, right? But if all of that back in Gensokyo isle was a dream, then I'm still dreaming...."
>"Anyway, do you know of anyone else who feels they actually remember it?"
-
>"All of this here is normal for you, though, right? But if all of that back in Gensokyo isle was a dream, then I'm still dreaming...."
>"Anyway, do you know of anyone else who feels they actually remember it?"
>"Don't worry, dear," says Satori, "You'll get used to it."
>"Just one," says Satori. "That would be Parsee."
>_
-
>"Any idea why those two do, and no one else does?"
-
>"Any idea why those two do, and no one else does?"
>She shakes her head. "I think it had something to do with their work to fix things. I've not really bothered to ask, it is enough they remember each other."
-
>"Each other? Wait... when you said that Utsuho was competing with someone over another woman, you didn't mean..."
-
>"Each other? Wait... when you said that Utsuho was competing with someone over another woman, you didn't mean..."
>She nods.
>_
-
>Oh, well then....
>"Wait, does that mean there's an oni in love with Parsee?"
-
>Oh, well then....
>"Wait, does that mean there's an oni in love with Parsee?"
>"For quite a long time," says Satori. "Mutually, I should add. It's quite a mess."
>_
-
>"Sounds like.... Should I assume Parsee's a youkai of some sort, too? Does she look any different here, too, like Utsuho does?"
-
>"Sounds like.... Should I assume Parsee's a youkai of some sort, too? Does she look any different here, too, like Utsuho does?"
>"She is, and not much."
>_
-
>"Ah, I see. I guess youkai come in all kinds."
>Where are we, now?
-
>"Ah, I see. I guess youkai come in all kinds."
>Where are we, now?
>"I said earlier, it's hard to generalize."
>You are approaching the Palace of the Earth Spirits again.
>"I suppose, if you liked, it would be safe to visit her now."
>_
-
>"Safe now? What do you mean?"
-
>"Safe now? What do you mean?"
>"As long as you stay on Deva K's side of town, you shouldn't be in particular danger," says Satori. "As I was saying earlier, the oni are very sincere people."
>_
-
>"Well, they're certainly... different. You think I'll really be safe, though? And how will I know where her side of the town stops?"
-
>"Well, they're certainly... different. You think I'll really be safe, though? And how will I know where her side of the town stops?"
>"As I understand, the bridge road is the dividing line," says Satori. "You can see it from here."
>She points westward
>_
-
>Make a note of this dividing line, and make sure never to accidentally cross it
>"Well, if you honestly think it's safe, I might like to poke around a little. It's kind of hard to take in the sights when you're running for your life..."
>"Did you say you had any idea where Utsuho might be?"
-
>Make a note of this dividing line, and make sure never to accidentally cross it
>"Well, if you honestly think it's safe, I might like to poke around a little. It's kind of hard to take in the sights when you're running for your life..."
>"Did you say you had any idea where Utsuho might be?"
>"I am not sure," says Satori. "If she is not with Parsee, she could be anywhere."
>_
-
>"Ok, well, I'll have a little look around, anyway. And thanks again for saving my neck back there."
-
>"Ok, well, I'll have a little look around, anyway. And thanks again for saving my neck back there."
>"Well," says Satori, "It is good to remind people not to take one lightly."
>_
-
>"Yeah, I guess so. Wish I could do some of that... How does what you did work, anyway? Do you know? Or is it just some sort of instinctive youkai thing?"
-
> "Also, do you think I could learn it?"
-
>"Yeah, I guess so. Wish I could do some of that... How does what you did work, anyway? Do you know? Or is it just some sort of instinctive youkai thing?"
>"Ah, that? That would be danmaku. It is how we tend to deal with conflicts. Some humans can learn it, if they have any potential for shaping magic."
> "Also, do you think I could learn it?"
>"I don't know," she says.
>_
-
>"Is there anyone around here who might be able to teach me? Or at least see if I have any scrap of potential at all?"
-
>"Is there anyone around here who might be able to teach me? Or at least see if I have any scrap of potential at all?"
>"...I am not a very good teacher when ti comes to people," says Satori, shaking her head. "It would be easiest if you found a knowledgeable human to help you. Or at least a youkai who was once human."
>_
-
>"A youkai who was once human? How does that work?"
>"You said there aren't any humans underground, though, right? Are there any former humans down here?"
-
>"A youkai who was once human? How does that work?"
>"You said there aren't any humans underground, though, right? Are there any former humans down here?"
>"Sometimes they transcend," says Satori. "I...don't know if it's possible to truly go the other way. But it seems unlikely. As for former humans down here, I don't believe there are any. Perhaps a visitor?"
>_
-
>"Well, I'll keep my eyes out. How does one get to the surface from here, anyway?"
-
>"Well, I'll keep my eyes out. How does one get to the surface from here, anyway?"
>"You cross the bridge, and follow the tunnel," says Satori. "I've not done it much, myself, but there shouldn't be much danger of getting lost. There are some youkai in there, I hear, but I can't tell you anything about them."
>_
-
>"Ok, well, thanks again for everything. I'm going to go explore the 'safe' places a little, now. If Utsuho gets back before I do, can you let her know where I've gone, in case I manage to get myself kidnapped by some other oni in the process?"
-
>"Ok, well, thanks again for everything. I'm going to go explore the 'safe' places a little, now. If Utsuho gets back before I do, can you let her know where I've gone, in case I manage to get myself kidnapped by some other oni in the process?"
>"Of course, dear," says Satori, as you reach the front door of the Palace of the Earth Spirits. "Please feel free to come back when you like."
>_
-
> "Thank you"
> Go explore the safe side of town
-
> "Thank you"
> Go explore the safe side of town
>From here, you can go west or south.
>_
-
>What can we roughly see in each direction?
>These are both on the safe side of town, right?
-
>What can we roughly see in each direction?
>These are both on the safe side of town, right?
>You just came from the south, the pub area and the place where the evil spirits gather are that way. To the west, you can see homes, and what seems to be a market around Bridge Street.
>_
-
>Head west
-
>Head west
>You head westward.
>There are a few oni here, milling about and going on with their lives. You also see what you think is one of Satori's cats lazing on a low roof. The buildings here look like old fashioned Japanese house blocks, with numerous little homes built into long buildings. Lanterns hang from the edges of roofs. Interestingly, you see little gardens built up between them. Obvious exits are East and West.
>There are a few oni talking here. They look at you curiously for a moment, then go back to their conversation. Perhaps Kay's proclamation has already reached here?
>You're starting to feel, moreso that before, like a fish out of water. Everything just seems so weird, and now you have no guide...
>_
-
>Take heart. We may be out of place, but this is still the chance of a lifetime. Bigger than that, even. Could we have even imagined we'd ever see a place like this?
>Continue westward
-
>Take heart. We may be out of place, but this is still the chance of a lifetime. Bigger than that, even. Could we have even imagined we'd ever see a place like this?
>Continue westward
>It really is. Renko would flip her lid; and perhaps literally her hat, if she were here.
>You push westward, leaving the houses behind.
>You come to the intersection of this street and Bridge Street. There is a market here, with numerous wooden stalls peddling numerous things. Some of the stalls seem to double as homes. You also see a few proper shops among them. There are many oni here, milling about and shopping. Few seem to even notice you yet.
>_
-
>Bridge Street was the street we're not supposed to cross, right? Without heading out of Kay's turf?
>Browse around the shops. Does anything catch our attention or interest?
-
>Bridge Street was the street we're not supposed to cross, right? Without heading out of Kay's turf?
>Browse around the shops. Does anything catch our attention or interest?
>That is correct.
>You look around the shops, and find a lot of interesting things. Jewerly, clothing, food, art objects, weapons, all sorts of stuff. The shopkeepers themselves are pretty interesting, too, being oni and all.
>_
-
> See if there's anything we could afford
-
>Is there anything that looks magical in some way? Not that we're probably in the best position to tell such things...
-
> See if there's anything we could afford
>You browse around, and find you can't afford much. Maybe some candy, or a really cheap bracelet.
>_
-
>Probably best to just explore and take in the view for a while. Maybe find a reclusive corner and try to will ourself into the air a little as a throwaway attempt at this magic stuff. I mean... the others can do it already, right? So it wouldn't really attract attention, right?
>Keep an eye out for anyone that DOESN'T look like an oni - they'd probably be a different type of youkai and need different treatment or expectations. Especially if they aren't held to Deva K's claim.
-
>Probably best to just explore and take in the view for a while. Maybe find a reclusive corner and try to will ourself into the air a little as a throwaway attempt at this magic stuff. I mean... the others can do it already, right? So it wouldn't really attract attention, right?
>Keep an eye out for anyone that DOESN'T look like an oni - they'd probably be a different type of youkai and need different treatment or expectations. Especially if they aren't held to Deva K's claim.
>You look around for now, and try to find somewhere private to try this flight thing. Unfortunately, there is no place private here.
>You look around for non-oni, and you find someone who clearly isn't. A medium-height, dark-haired woman in a short black dress and stockings; wearing them remarkably well. She also has...something like wings extending from her back. On one side she has red blade-like things, on the other blue tendril things. She is talking with a merchant selling sake by the jug.
>_
>_
-
>Well, can't hide from every strange person here, or we'd never be able to get anywhere. And maybe it's only the oni that are weird about attacking random people? Hopefully.
>Observe her a little more closely, and try to listen in on their conversation. Try not to be too obvious, if possible.
-
>recall oni-based legends from 'our' Gensokyo that may be useful in knowing what to expect.
>wonder if we swapped places with Yukari
-
>Well, can't hide from every strange person here, or we'd never be able to get anywhere. And maybe it's only the oni that are weird about attacking random people? Hopefully.
>Observe her a little more closely, and try to listen in on their conversation. Try not to be too obvious, if possible.
>You observe this youkai a little more closely. She seems friendly enough; rather pretty, too.
>"Twelve thousand."she says. "Those jugs are so ugly!"
>"Thirteen," says the oni. "And you're lucky I don't ask for more after you insult my wonderful vessels!"
>recall oni-based legends from 'our' Gensokyo that may be useful in knowing what to expect.
>You are sure they don't like beans. Or dogs. Or so you recall.
>_
-
>Wait for their negotiation to be finished, and then see where she goes.
>If she notices us staring and says something: "Oh, sorry, I was just admiring your wings. They're so interesting looking. I'm, uh, new around here, in case it wasn't obvious."
-
>Unfortunately, beans are probably unavailable in a city of oni. Curses.
>Does this other youkai look anything like Utsuho?
>Keep watching for now. What sort of youkai could she be?
-
>Wait for their negotiation to be finished, and then see where she goes.
>If she notices us staring and says something: "Oh, sorry, I was just admiring your wings. They're so interesting looking. I'm, uh, new around here, in case it wasn't obvious."
>After a few moments, they agree on a price of twelve thousand, four hundred.
>She looks over at you, and grins. "Oh, I bet that wasn't all you were admiring, hmmm?"
>_
-
> Act clueless "Huh, what do you mean?"
-
>be glad Satori isn't there to look in on thoughts of Renko's delicious (bodypart)
-
> Act clueless "Huh, what do you mean?"
>She laughs and pats you on the shoulder. "Oh, you're a funny one!"
>be glad Satori isn't there to look in on thoughts of Renko's delicious (bodypart)
>To be honest, it's really more comparing to this youkai's. Which may be worse. But wouldn't Satori be used to that with these kind of neighbors?
>_
-
>"Anyway, it's nice to meet you. I'm Maribel."
-
>"Anyway, it's nice to meet you. I'm Maribel."
>"I'm Nue, kid. What brings you down this way?"
>She starts walking southward.
>_
-
>Follow along
>Do we know what a Nue is, mythologically?
>"Oh, I'm just kind of exploring, at the moment. It's an interesting place down here, compared to what I'm used to."
-
>Follow along
>Do we know what a Nue is, mythologically?
>"Oh, I'm just kind of exploring, at the moment. It's an interesting place down here, compared to what I'm used to."
>You walk along
>You think they were some kind of thing that used to bother the Imperial family, back when they were still important?
>"Oh, a curious one? Well, you must be pretty hot stuff to get down this far."
>_
-
>"Well, Kay has apparently given me her protection down here, after a fashion. I hear that's supposed to count for something, at least."
>"And I don't suppose you know Utsuho?"
-
>"Well, Kay has apparently given me her protection down here, after a fashion. I hear that's supposed to count for something, at least."
>"And I don't suppose you know Utsuho?"
>"I thought you were her human," says Nue.
>"Sorta. I know her face, so she can't trick me into selling her the hard stuff."
>_
-
>"Well, after a fashion..."
>"And why would she do that? I mean, why would she need to trick you to do that?"
-
>"Well, after a fashion..."
>"And why would she do that? I mean, why would she need to trick you to do that?"
>"It's one of the unwritten rules," says Nue. "Don't sell drinks to the nuclear crow. We don't need her getting ideas."
>_
-
>"Nuclear?"
-
>"Nuclear?"
>"That's what they call it," she says. "Don't ask me what it means."
>_
-
>"So, I guess you haven't seen her around lately? I'm kind of looking for her. We know each other."
-
>"So, I guess you haven't seen her around lately? I'm kind of looking for her. We know each other."
>"She doesn't come my way much," says Nue. "She likes The Felt."
>You detect an undercurrent of distaste in that last part.
>_
-
> "So, uh, what are you doing down here, from what I know of this place, it's just made up of Oni, with a few visitors. Oh and evil spirits
-
>"Where's that?"
-
>"Where's that?"
>"Over on the west side somewhere," she saws, making a vague gesture across the road.
> "So, uh, what are you doing down here, from what I know of this place, it's just made up of Oni, with a few visitors. Oh and evil spirits
>"I live down here," she says. "Got sealed in a while back, so I sorta established myself. I run place over in the pub district now. Not really sealed anymore, but you get to like it down here."
>_
-
>Across the road? As in the road we're not supposed to cross?
>If so: "Yeah, I'm not so sure about wandering over there, in case some other oni decides to randomly try to kidnap me again. They really ought to pick hobbies that don't scare the tourists quite so much."
-
>Is the west side the safe side? It's not the safe side, is it.
>Would the bridge count as safe? Can we at least get close enough to see who's there without getting in too much danger?
>"What's it like living here, actually?"
-
>Across the road? As in the road we're not supposed to cross?
>If so: "Yeah, I'm not so sure about wandering over there, in case some other oni decides to randomly try to kidnap me again. They really ought to pick hobbies that don't scare the tourists quite so much."
>That is exactly where she's gesturing.
>"Oh, you oughta be fine," says Nue. "Yuugi and Deva K respect each other a lot. If she said otherwise, she was just making sure she had her bases covered."
>Is the west side the safe side? It's not the safe side, is it.
>Would the bridge count as safe? Can we at least get close enough to see who's there without getting in too much danger?
>"What's it like living here, actually?"
>At least not as safe as this one.
>You have no clue whatsoever. Satori didn't seem too worried, though.
>"Oh, it's fun," says Nue. "Dancing whenever you like, good music, and if you sling drinks, you'll never go poor. Well...not never. But you'll always been able to keep yourself fed. Mind, you gotta be ready to get in some scraps if you want to really get anywhere,.but that's not too bad if you know your spellcards well."
>_
-
>"Yuugi?"
>resist urge to ask about spellcards, looking TOO weak is asking for trouble
-
On the other hand, we don't even know enough about spellcards to know that we shouldn't ask that obvious question, you realize =/
-
On the other hand, we don't even know enough about spellcards to know that we shouldn't ask that obvious question, you realize =/
"Getting into scraps" is enough context to infer that it's related to combat. We weren't entirely effective on that count last time.
-
>"Yuugi?"
>resist urge to ask about spellcards, looking TOO weak is asking for trouble
>"She's another Deva, she runs the west side. Really, she runs the whole town, but Deva K gets the east side out of respect."
>It's a neat-sounding word that makes your ears perk up, but you try not to look too out of place.
>_
-
>"What's she like?"
>"And are there any other important people around here that it would be good to know about?"
-
>How close are we, relatively, to the bridge, Satori's (to ask about spellcards and try to avoid getting in too much more trouble) and, uh...
>"... er, I get the impression you're not too fond of the place, but do you know any more detailed directions to this 'The Felt,' if I need to look for Utsuho there?"
-
>"What's she like?"
>"And are there any other important people around here that it would be good to know about?"
>"Right now?" Nue frowns. "Alternating between moody and explosively violent. The hell crow's trying to muscle in on her girl, you see. And it's gonna get nasty. Surprised it hasn't yet, actually."
>"Well, there's the Palace of the Earth Spirits," she says, "That's where Utsuho, the Hell Cat, and Satori come from. They're friendly, for the most part, but a bit weird. You probably met Parsee at the bridge. Well, maybe you didn't? I hear she's not showing her face much lately. There's some other big names around, but those are the biggest."
>How close are we, relatively, to the bridge, Satori's (to ask about spellcards and try to avoid getting in too much more trouble) and, uh...
>"... er, I get the impression you're not too fond of the place, but do you know any more detailed directions to this 'The Felt,' if I need to look for Utsuho there?"
>You think you can see the bridge, way down the road. Or at the what look like the city gates. You're kinda lost track of the way back while talking with Nue.
>"It's on the west side" says Nue, "Up against the cavern wall. Can't miss it, big fancy thing. It's kinda going out of style, thank heaven."
>_
-
>Huh. So the Felt suddenly switched sides. Convenient.
>Wait, dyslexia.
>Reestablish fourth wall.
>"Right, thanks. I spoke with Satori earlier, actually, so I'm a little familiar with the Palace. Haven't seen Parsee yet, though. Maybe I'll check that out. What's she like?"
>"And considering her moodiness, do you think Yuugi would be inclined to go kidnapping if the opportunity presented itself? I might want to stay out of her way anyway."
-
>Huh. So the Felt suddenly switched sides. Convenient.
>Wait, dyslexia.
>Reestablish fourth wall.
>"Right, thanks. I spoke with Satori earlier, actually, so I'm a little familiar with the Palace. Haven't seen Parsee yet, though. Maybe I'll check that out. What's she like?"
>"And considering her moodiness, do you think Yuugi would be inclined to go kidnapping if the opportunity presented itself? I might want to stay out of her way anyway."
>You shouldn't do that. Parsers have bastard memories.
>"Parsee's weird," says Nue, quirking her lips. "She's got this ability to mess with envy, but she doesn't use it much. And she's kinda passive aggressive. Except for when she's aggressive aggressive. But if you get on her good side, you really get on her good side. Kinda like an oni, only more neurotic. She gets carried away easily. Probably what got her into this mess."
>Nue shakes her head. "Probably not, I don't think her mind would be on it."
>_
-
>"Ability to mess with envy?... do YOU have a special ability, too?"
-
>"Ability to mess with envy?... do YOU have a special ability, too?"
>"Oh, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve," says Nue with a wink.
>_
-
>"Shall I take that to mean you're not sharing them?"
-
>"Shall I take that to mean you're not sharing them?"
>"Life's more fun that way, don't you think?" she says.
>_
-
>Chuckle. Try not to sound nervous.
>"That's fair enough."
>"Thanks for the talk, Nue. I think I'll keep looking for Utsuho. Maybe I'll see you again later."
>wave and head for the bridge, unless the Felt comes into view on the west side and is closer.
-
>Chuckle. Try not to sound nervous.
>"That's fair enough."
>"Thanks for the talk, Nue. I think I'll keep looking for Utsuho. Maybe I'll see you again later."
>wave and head for the bridge, unless the Felt comes into view on the west side and is closer.
>You try not to sound too nervous. She's been nice, right? She's probably not going to try to eat you. Probably.
>"No problem," she says. "Feel free to stop by the Rose and Weasel later. Maybe I'll give you a discount."
>She separates off from you, and heads down a road to the east.
>You are now in a section of the market that seems to be devoted to foodstuffs. A lot of tasty smells, many of the friend, taunt your nose. But, at the same time, you kinda wonder how many of them are appropriate for breakfast. You notice a lot of them sell various kinds of liquor as well.
>You head south, toward the city gates. This part of town is relatively quiet, the music isn't that loud and there's practically no one here. You see a major road head off to the west, along the edge of the cavern. The gates themselves are ten foot high things, wide enough to for three of you to lay across. They are made of old wood, and bear a significant amount of graffiti.
>Through the gates, you can see a long wooden bridge, like something from an old ink painting, spanning across a dark abyss. You think you see someone lingering on it; a blonde woman in a brownish dress.
>_
-
>Walk closer
-
>Walk closer
>You walk closer, and step onto the bridge. It spawns over a yawning abyss; you cannot see the bottom of it very well. The ceiling is much closer to the ground here; leaving you feeling as though you're truly in a subterranean cavern for once. You feel even further from the world you knew than before now; at least in the city you could kinda pretend you weren't underground.
>The woman up ahead seems to be leaning on the bridge railing, frown into the abyss. She wears curious clothes that have a sort of Middle Eastern feel to them; most odd are her detached sleeves. Her ears are pointed, but otherwise she looks human. She feels familiar to you, despite this.
>She glances over, and her frown shifts a little. "Oh, it's you..." she says.
>_
-
>"Are you... Parsee?"
-
>"You don't sound surprised to see me."
-
>"Are you... Parsee?"
>She nods. "You have to ask. You've forgotten, haven't you?"
>"You don't sound surprised to see me."
>"No. I was there when they found you."
>_
-
>"I've forgotten most of it, at least. You look familiar, but the past few days are... fuzzy."
-
>"I've forgotten most of it, at least. You look familiar, but the past few days are... fuzzy."
>"Not surprising," she says. "So, what do you what?"
>_
-
>"Well, I'm just exploring at the moment. You may be used to the place, but to me, everything here is strange and both amazing and frightening. I've already had an oni try to kidnap me, although that hopefully won't be a problem again in the near future. I'm not even sure exactly what I'm supposed to do, now. I just know that I want to see more."
-
>"Well, I'm just exploring at the moment. You may be used to the place, but to me, everything here is strange and both amazing and frightening. I've already had an oni try to kidnap me, although that hopefully won't be a problem again in the near future. I'm not even sure exactly what I'm supposed to do, now. I just know that I want to see more."
>She nods. "Don't let me stop you."
>_
-
>"Well, I guess I don't really know where to go. You and Utsuho are the only people I really remember here. And I've been left with the distinct impression that there's a great many things which could be dangerous to someone who can't defend themselves."
-
>"I've been looking for Utsuho to try and ask for an explanation of what happened, and why I'm in this Gensokyo, since I assumed she'd recall more of it... but it seems you do, too. Would you be willing to tell me a little?"
>Passive-aggressive. Damnit.
-
>"Well, I guess I don't really know where to go. You and Utsuho are the only people I really remember here. And I've been left with the distinct impression that there's a great many things which could be dangerous to someone who can't defend themselves."
>"Hmm? Oh, that's true, isn't it? I suppose if you told the youkai up ahead you're in good with Utsuho, they probably wouldn't give you a hard time." She shrugs.
>"I've been looking for Utsuho to try and ask for an explanation of what happened, and why I'm in this Gensokyo, since I assumed she'd recall more of it... but it seems you do, too. Would you be willing to tell me a little?"
>Passive-aggressive. Damnit.
>"We don't know why you're here," Parsee says. "I guess you got carried over, but we couldn't tell you why."
>_
-
>"Well, do you know anyone who might know? Satori mentioned that you and Utsuho probably kept your memories because you were involved in... whatever caused this to happen. What did you do?"
-
>"That's good to know, but I'm tempted to ask to confirm that option with Utsuho personally... and thank her, since I think she helped me uh... before."
>"... I don't suppose you have any idea where Renko is?"
>"Do you remember enough of 'my' world to give me an idea of how things are different here, and what I need to learn to do differently to get by?"
-
>"Well, do you know anyone who might know? Satori mentioned that you and Utsuho probably kept your memories because you were involved in... whatever caused this to happen. What did you do?"
>"There's a woman named Keine who lives topside. She might know," says Parsee. "She did the actual grunt work of fixing up everything. But she said herself she couldn't foresee everything. The reason we remember? Because we went along with her for the ride, and went outside time. Because of that, the changes made to fix things didn't touch our memories. Or at least that's what she said."
>"That's good to know, but I'm tempted to ask to confirm that option with Utsuho personally... and thank her, since I think she helped me uh... before."
>"... I don't suppose you have any idea where Renko is?"
>"Do you remember enough of 'my' world to give me an idea of how things are different here, and what I need to learn to do differently to get by?"
>"Do what you want, I guess."
>"Oh, your partner with the hat? No idea. We're pretty sure she's not down here, unless some oni found her and is keeping it a secret. Which they usually wouldn't."
>"Best thing I can tell you is that humans aren't the top dogs around here. You remember all those kid's stories about people who got all arrogant about the world, and got their just desserts? That's a pretty good way to think about it."
>_
-
>"Do you know how I could find this Keine? And actually get there safely?"
>"And, well, I seem to be the only human here at all. Are there more above ground?"
-
>"How did Keine fix up everything? I'm guessing she has some special power, too?"
>"I DO get the impression that I'm not a strong person here. That's actually part of why I'm worried... but if Utsuho's favor is enough to keep people from attacking, that should help."
>"I also talked with a girl in the city that mentioned spellcards, and they sounded like something that gets used in fights - what should I know about that?"
-
>"Do you know how I could find this Keine? And actually get there safely?"
>"And, well, I seem to be the only human here at all. Are there more above ground?"
>"Ask around topside, I guess," she says. "I never go there."
>"You might be the only one down here. Oni and humans tend not to mix. But there's a whole village of 'em topside, and a few others spread around."
>"How did Keine fix up everything? I'm guessing she has some special power, too?"
>"I DO get the impression that I'm not a strong person here. That's actually part of why I'm worried... but if Utsuho's favor is enough to keep people from attacking, that should help."
>"I also talked with a girl in the city that mentioned spellcards, and they sounded like something that gets used in fights - what should I know about that?"
>"Yeah, something to do with history."
>"It'll help, but you might have to back it up."
>"Oh, those? Yeah. You know about danmaku, right? Spellcards let you set up danmaku ahead of time. They take concentration to use, but they also tend to hit harder and give other benefits. Usually you can write them to be more complex than your regular stuff, too."
>_
-
>"Well, I know OF danmaku. I saw Satori and Deva K throwing them at each other, earlier. But I certainly don't know how to do that myself, unfortunately... That seems like it might be something of a survival skill around here."
>"Are there any people from the underground who tend to go topside as well? Does Utsuho ever go up there?"
-
> "Any idea where Utsuho might be at this moment? It'd be nice to ask her a few questions."
-
>"Well, I know OF danmaku. I saw Satori and Deva K throwing them at each other, earlier. But I certainly don't know how to do that myself, unfortunately... That seems like it might be something of a survival skill around here."
>"Are there any people from the underground who tend to go topside as well? Does Utsuho ever go up there?"
>"Yeah, it's pretty important."
>"Yuugi would, once in awhile. And I think Yamame has a deal with one of the merchants up there. She's a spider youkai, before you ask, lives close to topside."
> "Any idea where Utsuho might be at this moment? It'd be nice to ask her a few questions."
>"Maybe prowling the west side?" Parsee says with a shrug. "She and Yuugi are supposed to fight it out today."
>_
-
>"Fight it out? Over you, right?"
-
>"Fight it out? Over you, right?"
>She nods, looking back into the abyss. "At least as far as Yuugi's concerned."
>_
-
>Uhoh.
>"Do you think they'll get really hurt by that?"
>"About how safe would it be to go and talk to Yamame? Apparently I'll be safe enough in the city, but I'm not sure how wise it would be to wander further."
-
>"As far as she's concerned? What about Utsuho, then?"
-
>glance at the abyss
>"Do I want to know what's down there?"
-
>Uhoh.
>"Do you think they'll get really hurt by that?"
>"About how safe would it be to go and talk to Yamame? Apparently I'll be safe enough in the city, but I'm not sure how wise it would be to wander further."
>Yeah, that doesn't sound good.
>"I...hope not."
>"Well, Yamame's pretty weird. She's not bad, usually, just weird. Just behave and you'll probably be fine."
>"As far as she's concerned? What about Utsuho, then?"
>"Utsuho...I don't think her heart's in the it nearly so much. She's kind of had her fill of it the past few days. Not that she's insincere, just...you know. The thing is, that's just how Yuugi is. Utsuho's made herself an obstacle, and now she has to be smashed."
>glance at the abyss
>"Do I want to know what's down there?"
>It's pretty dark down there.
>"There's a river."
>_
-
>"Is there... healing magic? I don't know what to think about their battle, but if Utsuho's lastingly hurt, I'm going to be in trouble."
>"Is there anyone else along the way to meeting Yamame that I should know about? Or anything?"
-
>"Is there... healing magic? I don't know what to think about their battle, but if Utsuho's lastingly hurt, I'm going to be in trouble."
>"Is there anyone else along the way to meeting Yamame that I should know about? Or anything?"
>"Kinda," says Parsee. "Someone topside makes medicines like that. And there's some tricks for certain things that various people know."
>"Oh, right. There's Kisume. She's weak, but sneaky. She mugs people. Watch the ceiling for a bucket."
>_
-
>"A... bucket."
-
> "Why does she mug people?"
-
>"A... bucket."
>"Yep."
> "Why does she mug people?"
>"I dunno," says Parsee. "Maybe she thinks its fun?"
>_
-
>"Just a plain old non-magical bucket? No blasts of energy or other super powers I need to be aware of?"
-
>"Just a plain old non-magical bucket? No blasts of energy or other super powers I need to be aware of?"
>"Oh, she can summon demon fires," says Parsee, "But the way I hear it, even a child can get around those. So if you get her to that point, you've probably already won."
>_
-
>"Demon fires?"
>Gulp
>"I don't think I would have ever expected anyone to talk about demon anything so nonchalantly..."
>"Man, talk about being a fish out of water..."
-
>"Demon fires?"
>Gulp
>"I don't think I would have ever expected anyone to talk about demon anything so nonchalantly..."
>"Man, talk about being a fish out of water..."
>That really sounds much worse than Parsee makes it sound... Much worse.
>"You'll get used to it."
>_
-
>"Well, I'll try. I'll probably have to, at any rate."
>"But you honestly think I'm relatively safe going in that direction? At least whatever passes for safe down here?"
-
>"Well, I'll try. I'll probably have to, at any rate."
>"But you honestly think I'm relatively safe going in that direction? At least whatever passes for safe down here?"
>"Well, you probably won't get kidnapped," says Parsee. "Just maybe beaten or mugged. Geez, what do you want from me?"
>_
-
>"Look, sorry, I'm not trying to bug you. You're just one of the very few familiar faces around here. I'm sure it's hard to really understand how unfamiliar all of this is when everything is perfectly normal to you."
>"Anyway, I'll leave you be, now. And... for what it's worth, you have my sympathies about the Utsuho and Yuugi situation. I don't need to know the details to imagine how someone might feel if two people they cared about were about to try beating each other up over it. I hope everything ends up alright."
-
>"Look, sorry, I'm not trying to bug you. You're just one of the very few familiar faces around here. I'm sure it's hard to really understand how unfamiliar all of this is when everything is perfectly normal to you."
>"Anyway, I'll leave you be, now. And... for what it's worth, you have my sympathies about the Utsuho and Yuugi situation. I don't need to know the details to imagine how someone might feel if two people they cared about were about to try beating each other up over it. I hope everything ends up alright."
>"Yeah, I know..." says Parsee.
>You give her some sympathy. "It wouldn't be so bad, you know" she says, "if it weren't for the fact it won't actually change anything. It's not like I can go up to whoever loses and say "I don't like you now"... Although Yuugi's probably kinda hoping for it anyways. I don't have any idea how I'm gonna handle this..."
>_
-
>"It does seem like kind of an oni way to go about things, from what I'm gathering... I wish I had something useful to tell you. I honestly do. Those sorts of situations are no good for anyone involved in them."
>"Thanks for the help, anyway, though. I'm going to have a little look towards the surface, I think. Hopefully I'll be back in one piece."
>Try to convince yourself that you really will be back in one piece
>Wave goodbye and cross the bridge. Keep an eye out for buckets.
-
>"It does seem like kind of an oni way to go about things, from what I'm gathering... I wish I had something useful to tell you. I honestly do. Those sorts of situations are no good for anyone involved in them."
>"Thanks for the help, anyway, though. I'm going to have a little look towards the surface, I think. Hopefully I'll be back in one piece."
>Try to convince yourself that you really will be back in one piece
>Wave goodbye and cross the bridge. Keep an eye out for buckets.
>"Well, at least you kinda care what I think," says Parsee. "Most people just focus on the fight and act like I'm some kinda prize."
>"Good luck, I suppose."
>You're gonna do this! It's gonna happen! It's gonna-oh god you've never even been in a cave before...
>You wave goodbye, which Parsee returns half-heartedly.
>You cross the bridge, growing more nervous with each step. It's quiet, unsettlingly so in the wake of the city's hustle and bustle. Your footsteps echo ahead of you. It's getting uncomfortably gloomy, though not quite enough to call it dark. There's a slight breeze, as well.
>As you walk into the tunnel, the walls seem to close around you; there's probably no more than fifteen feet of space, uncomfortably claustrophobic after the spacious city. The floor is rough, and easy to trip over if you don't pay attention. Stalagmites poke up from the ground, some reaching up to connect with the stalactites above. Up ahead are a series of rocky shelves forming a kind of natural staircase, or at least it would be if you were ten feet tall. As it stands, you'll have to climb them, and some of them seem to have some sharp ridges to them. Obvious exits are north and south.
>_
-
>"Is anyone here?"
>Assuming no answer, continue forward cautiously, and try to climb the steps without hurting yourself. Keep an eye out for buckets
-
>"Is anyone here?"
>Assuming no answer, continue forward cautiously, and try to climb the steps without hurting yourself. Keep an eye out for buckets
>No one answers your call.
>You work your way forward cautiously, doing your best not to hurt yourself. It is slow going, and you rough up your hands a little bit, and tear the hem of your dress. But those issues aside, you ascend the shelves easily enough. Looking back once you have finished, you have climbed up a significant distance, you can't see the bottom for the for the gloom any longer. Unfortunately, the gloom makes it difficult to keep a watch out for buckets, as well, as the ceiling is rather naturally shadowy, and the walls hide periodic niches that blend in well with the darkness.
>Up ahead, you can see the floor slopes upward, though somewhat unevenly. Of particular concern are a number of fissures in the ground, some about as wide as your hand, that seem easy enough to catch your ankle upon. It looks like there is a kind of path weaving between them.
>_
-
>Continue cautiously along the path
>If we aren't in any position to SEE a bucket, in the gloom, at least keep a close ear out for any sound of any kind that doesn't appear to be coming from us
-
>Continue cautiously along the path
>If we aren't in any position to SEE a bucket, in the gloom, at least keep a close ear out for any sound of any kind that doesn't appear to be coming from us
>You pick your way through, doing your best not to catch your feet.
>You keep your ears open. The wind makes it a little hard to hear, but you think you catch the sound of...something scraping against the stone.
>_
-
>Scraping? Where?
>Quickly identify the location of the sound, and look in that direction
-
>Scraping? Where?
>Quickly identify the location of the sound, and look in that direction
>It's hard to tell, due to echoing a bit. Is it to the left? Above? Above and to the left?
>_
-
>Well, try to look in the general direction of above and left, anyway
>And shift to the right
>"Hello?"
-
>Well, try to look in the general direction of above and left, anyway
>And shift to the right
>"Hello?"
>You look in that general direction. It's a little far from where you're at, and difficult to see into. The ceiling there has several large stalactites hanging down. The wall seems to be pretty smooth.
>You don't get a reply.
>_
-
>Well, keep going forward, but try to keep an eye in that direction as best we can
>Note if the sound seems to change in some way
-
>Well, keep going forward, but try to keep an eye in that direction as best we can
>Note if the sound seems to change in some way
>You keep an eye on that direction and try to proceed.
>It is quiet now, save for the wind. You don't hear anything. ...Wait, that sounded like something clattering against the wall to your right!
>_
-
>Quickly look in that direction
-
>Quickly look in that direction
>You look toward the right, and see nothing.
>"Say rock!" cries a quickly-approaching voice from behind.
>_
-
>"Rock?"
>Try to scrabble out of the way of the incoming voice as quickly as possible and turn to face it
-
>"Rock?"
>Try to scrabble out of the way of the incoming voice as quickly as possible and turn to face it
>You say rock. Then something heavy slams into your back!
>You are forced to the ground, thankfully not near any fissures, something heavy and round perched on the small of your back. You feel hands reaching into your pockets, while a feminine voice gives a dry chuckle.
>_
-
>Try rolling over to knock the thing on our back off
>Try to reach one of our arms out to grab the arm reaching into our pockets
-
>Try rolling over to knock the thing on our back off
>Try to reach one of our arms out to grab the arm reaching into our pockets
>You try to roll, but seem to be too well pinned for this to work.
>You reach back and grab a thin arm with a loose sleeve around it. "Oy, cut that out!" your assailant says, jerking against your grip.
>_
-
>Keep a grip on the arm
>"You pounce on me, rifle through my pockets and then complain when I try to stop you?"
>"...you're Kisume, aren't you?"
-
>Keep a grip on the arm
>"You pounce on me, rifle through my pockets and then complain when I try to stop you?"
>"...you're Kisume, aren't you?"
>You hold on. She tugs a bit more fiercely, but you think you got it.
>"Ain't my fault you looked, is it now?"
>"That's my moniker, alright."
>_
-
>"I looked? Looked at what? I didn't even see anything."
-
>"I looked? Looked at what? I didn't even see anything."
>"'Course you didn't see anything, I just tossed a pebble at the wall!"
>You feel her other hand close around the coins you found earlier.
>_
-
>Try to restrain that one, too
>"Look, I don't even have anything worth stealing. I'm just passing through."
-
>Try to restrain that one, too
>"Look, I don't even have anything worth stealing. I'm just passing through."
>You grab at that hand, but she seems wise to your tricks this time and avoids it, taking your 5☼ in the process.
>"Ain't what these thin ones here say, is it?"
>_
-
>Leglock to flip could get you on top of her, if you can pull off that kind of move.
-
>"Oh, wow, a whole 5☼. Yeah, sure is worth attacking someone for that."
>Sigh
>"I guess having no money isn't really that much worse than having practically no money."
-
>Leglock to flip could get you on top of her, if you can pull off that kind of move.
>How do you propose to leglock her when she is currently on your back?
>"Oh, wow, a whole 5☼. Yeah, sure is worth attacking someone for that."
>Sigh
>"I guess having no money isn't really that much worse than having practically no money."
>"Enough to get something to eat on," she says.
>You sigh.
>_
-
>"Well, I suppose I should be happy if that's enough to satisfy you. I really don't have anything else."
-
>"Well, I suppose I should be happy if that's enough to satisfy you. I really don't have anything else."
>"When'd you come down here, anyways? Not often I miss a mark coming."
>_
-
>"I took the back way in, evidently..."
-
>"I took the back way in, evidently..."
>"Took a tumble through the geyser? You're in good shape for that."
>The weight lifts off your back.
>_
-
>Stand up, if we can now, and get a look at Kisume
>"Yeah, well..."
-
>"So, uh, can you point me the direction to the village where humans live? I'm kinda lost..."
>"If you don't know, do you suppose Yamame would know? I heard she lives near to the surface. I'd meet her if I keep on going this route, right?"
-
>Stand up, if we can now, and get a look at Kisume
>"Yeah, well..."
>You get to your feet, and get a look at Kisume.
>She is hovering a few yards away, over some of the fissures. For the first time since you got here, and hopefully the only time, you are glad Renko is not here. You just got mugged by a little girl in a bucket. Well, maybe she's a small adolescent, but the fact remains. Renko would never, ever let you live that down if she had seen it. Kisume herself really doesn't look all that threatening, being a small thin girl with green hair pulled into ponytails and sitting in a bucket. She is rather dirty, though.
>"Only a dummy goes through the geyser," she continues, looking you over, "And you're lookin' in pretty good shape for it."
>"So, uh, can you point me the direction to the village where humans live? I'm kinda lost..."
>"If you don't know, do you suppose Yamame would know? I heard she lives near to the surface. I'd meet her if I keep on going this route, right?"
>"Oh, sure. Just keep going the way you're going, and you'll hit topside. After that, you're on your own.
>"Yep, she lives up by the way out."
>_
-
>"Well, I should probably be going now."
>Really, what IS the proper farewell for someone who mugged you, and then gave you directions?
>Continue out of the cave
-
>"Well, I should probably be going now."
>Really, what IS the proper farewell for someone who mugged you, and then gave you directions?
>Continue out of the cave
>"Kay," she says, flying off.
>You get the feeling she doesn't know, either.
>You keep going. Soon you leave the fissure-laden area, and the tunnel is relatively smooth for awhile. Then the tunnel forks. One branch goes Southeast and levels off, the other goes west, and continues to climb. The walls here are damp, and have a quantity of moss growing on them. Obvious exits are North, Southeast, and West.
>_
>_
-
>Go west
-
>Go west
>You head westward.
>The tunnel continues to climb, being smooth and thankfully free of stalactites. Then it begins to level off. You become aware of a strong, pungent odor that reminds you of sewage up ahead.
>_
-
>Keep moving forward
>See if we can identify the source of the smell
-
>Keep moving forward
>See if we can identify the source of the smell
>You keep moving onward. It is definitely getting stronger, and you're pretty sure the source is up ahead. You note the walls are flaring out, while floor is starting to decline.
>_
-
>Keep going
-
>Keep going
>The path continues to descend, and the air is a bit more humid. You can't really see the walls or ceiling anymore.
>The smell is getting strong enough that it's hard not to gag a little bit.
>_
-
>Move a little bit more forward
>"Is anyone here?"
>If it gets too unpleasant, go back to the branch in the tunnels and try the other direction
-
>Move a little bit more forward
>"Is anyone here?"
>If it gets too unpleasant, go back to the branch in the tunnels and try the other direction
>You move onward a little bit, then call out.
>The response is a number of screeches, as the darkness seems to explode into motion!
>_
-
>Ah, hell. Bats, right?
>Try to shield your head/face with your arms and scrabble out of there
-
>Ah, hell. Bats, right?
>Try to shield your head/face with your arms and scrabble out of there
>You don't know if they are bats, but it certainly seems like a good guess.
>You shield your face and with your arms and try to get out to there. Every so often, something slams into your back, which the cacophony of shrieks is long enough to make it hard to think! You feel something tugging against your hair!
>_
-
>Manically flail your arms in the general region of whatever is doing this tugging and try to shake off whatever it is
>Don't stop running
-
>Manically flail your arms in the general region of whatever is doing this tugging and try to shake off whatever it is
>Don't stop running
>You flail your arms manically, but that doesn't really seem to discourage the tugging at all.
>You keep running, stumble, and nearly fall as the floor levels out again. The cacophony is mostly ahead of your now. You don't seem anything moving around you.
>_
-
>Nothing is moving around us, but the tugging is still going on?
>Does it seem like a living thing, tugging on us, or could we just have gotten tangled in something?
>If it's a creature, try to bat it off, again
>Otherwise, see if we can disentangle it
-
>Nothing is moving around us, but the tugging is still going on?
>Does it seem like a living thing, tugging on us, or could we just have gotten tangled in something?
>If it's a creature, try to bat it off, again
>Otherwise, see if we can disentangle it
>It seems that way.
>It feels like it's actively tugging.
>You reach back and try to smack it off, his something small and fuzzy than weakly smacks your hand, and don't seem to achieve much.
>_
-
>Wait, it smacked our hand back when we tried to hit it?
>Steel yourself and try actually grabbing it this time
-
>Wait, it smacked our hand back when we tried to hit it?
>Steel yourself and try actually grabbing it this time
>You steel yourself, and grab it!
>With a sinking sensation, you find It is small, fuzzy, winged, and tangled up in your hair.
>_
-
>Try to pull it out. Carefully, at first. Might only make things worse if we tug too hard. Use more force if necessary, though
>Remember, we can always freak out afterwards
-
>Try to pull it out. Carefully, at first. Might only make things worse if we tug too hard. Use more force if necessary, though
>Remember, we can always freak out afterwards
>You try to pull it out, but its flailing wings don't make this easy, nor does the chance it might bite you...
>You're trying very hard not to freak out. It's just a bat... only a bad...it's a bat...oh god.
>_
-
>Remember, you've already stared down an oni with a katana today. A bat is nothing. You can do this...
>Keep pulling it out
-
>Remember, you've already stared down an oni with a katana today. A bat is nothing. You can do this...
>Keep pulling it out
>It's not called staring when you run the other way.
>You keep working at it...there! It flops out from your hair. And you really want a bath right now...
>_
-
>So, uh... are we on the other side of the bats from when we started? Like, farther into the cave? Or did we backtrack... hopefully we don't need to go through bats again to get farther... unless this is the wrong way altogether.
-
>Well, we only stared at her AFTER she got knocked out... but that was still probably scarier than a bat...
-
>So, uh... are we on the other side of the bats from when we started? Like, farther into the cave? Or did we backtrack... hopefully we don't need to go through bats again to get farther... unless this is the wrong way altogether.
>You turned back. And...you're not sure if this is the right way or not.
>Well, we only stared at her AFTER she got knocked out... but that was still probably scarier than a bat...
>...Maybe it was. You didn't have an oni wriggling about in your hair.
>The bat flies off, squeaking in what you imagine is mutual disgust. It's quieted down a lot, though you can hear a few distant squeaks.
>_
-
>Go back to the crossroads
>If we're not sure which way that was, try moving AWAY from the smell
-
Considering there wasn't bats in the other Purvis' quest stuff, we should probably go the other way.
>Walk back to the intersection and take the other way because oh my god bats.
inb4ed
-
>Go back to the crossroads
>If we're not sure which way that was, try moving AWAY from the smell
>Walk back to the intersection and take the other way because oh my god bats.
>You make your way back to the crossroads, and decide that the way out probably wouldn't be full of bat crap
>You head southeast. After a little time, the path starts to rise again. You also start to notice spider webs in the stalactites, some of them with bats caught in them. ...You shudder at the memory that brings up. God, you wish you could wash your hands! Curiously enough, one of the webs seems to have writing in its strands, though a bat partially obscures it: "Shop at Kou-" Obvious exits are northwest and south.
>_
-
>Keep going forward
-
>Keep going forward
>You keep going forward!
>It is definitely getting less gloomy, which burgeons your spirits a little bit. The cavern floor is growing more broken and irregular, making it a bit slower to pick your way through. Up ahead...you see a blonde woman in a poofy brown dress dangling from the ceiling by a line, pulling bats from a web.
>_
-
>"Um, hello? I don't suppose you're Yamame?"
-
>"Um, hello? I don't suppose you're Yamame?"
>"Sure am, buddy!" says the woman.
>_
-
>"Ah, hello there. I'm Maribel."
>"I heard that you head up to the surface sometimes? I'm looking for directions to the human village."
-
>"Ah, hello there. I'm Maribel."
>"I heard that you head up to the surface sometimes? I'm looking for directions to the human village."
>She waves with a free hand, after freeing a bat and shoving it into the bag she's carrying.
>"Sure do! It's easy, just go that right til you hit the road, and go right again."
>_
-
>"What right? Turn right as soon as I get out of this cave?"
>"And are there any hazards I should be aware of on the way there? I... don't really know my way around here."
-
>"What right? Turn right as soon as I get out of this cave?"
>"And are there any hazards I should be aware of on the way there? I... don't really know my way around here."
>"Same ones you saw coming in, probably," says Yamame as she starts to free another bat.
>_
-
>"Uh, yeah, that would probably make sense.... if I'd actually come this way before...."
-
>"Uh, yeah, that would probably make sense.... if I'd actually come this way before...."
>She looks away from her work, frowning. "How'd you get down here, buddy?"
>_
-
>"That's a good question, actually. I don't even know for sure, myself. That's why I'm looking for Keine. I hear she may be the person to talk to about this."
-
>"That's a good question, actually. I don't even know for sure, myself. That's why I'm looking for Keine. I hear she may be the person to talk to about this."
>"Yeah, she's in the village," says Yamame.
>_
-
>"Well, just assume that I have no idea whatsoever about what's between here and there. Is there anything I should know? Anything I should watch out for? Or anyone, for that matter?"
-
>"Well, just assume that I have no idea whatsoever about what's between here and there. Is there anything I should know? Anything I should watch out for? Or anyone, for that matter?"
>She ponders for a minute. "Uh, pretty much everybody, buddy!"
>_
-
>"You're not exactly instilling me with confidence, here, you know...."
>"I don't suppose you were planning to head up that way yourself, any time soon?"
-
>"You're not exactly instilling me with confidence, here, you know...."
>"I don't suppose you were planning to head up that way yourself, any time soon?"
>"Oh. Uh, well, just don't get into any fights, and you'll be A-okay, buddy! And, uh, you're new, right? Maybe talk with Reimu? Or Byakuren? They're in town!"
>"Naw, I got these bats to collect up."
>_
-
>"Well, I don't need to worry about STARTING fights, anyway. As long as no one ELSE feels like starting them... And I'll keep those names in mind."
>"And, uh, speaking of bats... is there anything down that other tunnel back there BESIDES bats?"
-
>"Well, I don't need to worry about STARTING fights, anyway. As long as no one ELSE feels like starting them... And I'll keep those names in mind."
>"And, uh, speaking of bats... is there anything down that other tunnel back there BESIDES bats?"
>"Oh! Use you see a green-haired lady with an umbrella, keep out of her way. Or is you don't, buddy, stay really nice. Because she'll break ya."
>"Oh yeah," says Yamame, "There's the moss fields and it'll twist back to the old Oni Eater's place and all kinds of stuff. You'd get super lost down there, buddy."
>_
-
>"Well, then I suppose it's probably a good thing the bats drove me off, then. I went that way since it seemed to be going up."
>"But anyway, thanks for the help. Have a nice day."
>Continue forward
-
>"Well, then I suppose it's probably a good thing the bats drove me off, then. I went that way since it seemed to be going up."
>"But anyway, thanks for the help. Have a nice day."
>Continue forward
>"Hey, buddy, if you go to Kourindou, mention the signs. I get a bonus when you do that!"
>You head onward. Soon, you can see light up ahead. The air smells...so fresh, you can't really put words to it. You hadn't even noticed how dusty the air down here was! Your pace quickens, as your eyes adjust to the light up ahead. Then you emerge.
>You step out of a cave in the side of a mountain face. Before you is a tree-covered hill, leading downwards into a thick-looking forest. To your right, the west ,you can see more forest, the trees reaching up to obscure you view. To the east, you can see more mountains, forming a virtual wall of stone and greenery. It is warm out here, a fine day in late summer or early fall, Looking up, you can see a deep blue sky with the occasional puffy cloud in it. Everything looks so wild and uncivilized here, you can't see a single trace of a built structure. Along with this, you have the feeling you've left one sphere of influence and entered another, sort of like how you felt when you left your home country months ago.
>You also feel intolerably grungy now, and really want a bath. And maybe a change of clothes; you're reasonably sure there's some bat cave odor clinging to you. Despite this, you can't tamp down a feeling of victory. You survived the cave!
>_
-
>Take a deep breath of nice fresh air
>Then head to the right, per Yamame's instructions
>Keep an eye out for a road of any sort
-
>Take a deep breath of nice fresh air
>Then head to the right, per Yamame's instructions
>Keep an eye out for a road of any sort
>It really does feel nice, even if it's mixed with more bat smell than you'd like.
>You head westward, and enter the forest.
>The canopy of trees overhead is thick, bring up a vague memory of another forest you and Renko searched through, not so long ago. The underbrush is fairly heavy in a lot of places, but you can find some clear spots to move through. Here and there, you can see strange mushrooms growing from the soil, or sometimes handing from the trees. Compared to the silence of the caves, the forest is positively brimming with insect cries, bird calls, and animal noises you can't identify. Obvious exits are North, South, East, and West.
>_
-
>Keep heading west
-
>Keep heading west
>You continue westward, carefully picking your way through the underbrowth.
>The trees get thicker as you move on, forcing you to have to slide between the regularly. You have only a vague sense that you're going straight anymore. Looking back, you can no longer see the edge of the forest. There's a sort of sickly-sweet smell in the air, and mushrooms become more common as the undergrowth thins out in the gloom. Up ahead, you can see a number of lights bobbing in the air.
>_
-
>Move towards the lights.
>Can we figure out what they are?
-
> Be careful, we don't know what to expect in this world
-
>Move towards the lights.
>Can we figure out what they are?
>You move toward the lights, slipping between the trees as well as you can.
>At a closer look, they seem to be people, of a sort. Some of them are very tiny, no larger than your hand. Others, situated on the ground, are closer to the size of children. They all seem to have sets of delicate-looking wings, but aside form that there is little in common between them; their appearances are as a varied as any group of people. You don't know if they've noticed you yet.
> Be careful, we don't know what to expect in this world
>You try not to get too close, or tip them off that you're here.
>_
-
>Is there any way we could continue west without walking past them?
>Continue observing for a bit
-
>Is there any way we could continue west without walking past them?
>Continue observing for a bit
>You could theoretically walk around their little area.
>You watch them, finding it practically impossible to take your eyes away from a little while. Meeting Satori was one thing, and the oni and Nue another. But, there was an essential kind of humanity to them. With these people, so small and bearing wings...they're just different. Alien. Beautiful.
>They don't seem to be aware of you. As far as you can observe, they're just talking among each other.
>_
-
>Can we make out any of what they're saying?
-
>Can we make out any of what they're saying?
>You can make out little bits and pieces, but not enough to really make any sense of what they're saying.
>_
-
>Try to shift around the group of them westward without making too much noise
>Continue to try to listen for anything interesting
-
>Try to shift around the group of them westward without making too much noise
>Continue to try to listen for anything interesting
>You try to make your way the outskirts of the clearing without making much noise. This is much hard than it sounds, as the forest floor has a fairly thick mat of old dead leaves on it. Thankfully, they are not dry and brittle, or you never would have gotten this far, but they're still moderately noisy.
>You think there's several conversations going on at once.
>_
-
>Keep going
>Keep an eye out for sudden movements from the creatures. It would be nice to think they're friendly, but when someone tells you to watch out for EVERYONE, it's probably best not to take chances...
-
>Keep going
>Keep an eye out for sudden movements from the creatures. It would be nice to think they're friendly, but when someone tells you to watch out for EVERYONE, it's probably best not to take chances...
>You keep going. You are a bit than halfway around the gathering when you step on a branch under the mat of aforementioned twigs. A couple of the gathered people look in your direction, you're not sure if they see you through the trees.
>_
-
>Stop moving for a moment. If they're looking in this direction, they'll definitely see us if we move, now
-
>No sudden movements. Gauge whether there's a response.
>Regret not looking for more viable defenses before leaving, and not threatening Kisume with Utusho's wrath.
-
>Stop moving for a moment. If they're looking in this direction, they'll definitely see us if we move, now
>You stop moving.
>No sudden movements. Gauge whether there's a response.
>Regret not looking for more viable defenses before leaving, and not threatening Kisume with Utusho's wrath.
>You think one of the smaller ones may still be looking your way. It's hard to tell.
>Finding more viable defenses may have been wise. As for threatening Kisume, who knows?
>_
-
>Wait a little longer. There's no harm in remaining still longer than necessary
>After a bit more time, continue forward again
-
>After a bit more time, continue forward again
>And you're pretty sure no one is really watching.
-
>Wait a little longer. There's no harm in remaining still longer than necessary
>After a bit more time, continue forward again
>And you're pretty sure no one is really watching.
>After a couple moments, the last observer loses interest, and you continue to move forward.
>You should be able to continue westward without incident.
>_
-
>Continue westward
>Keep an eye out for any sign of a road, or even a footpath that looks traveled on
-
> Whistle a tune (Kinema-kan 2nd curtain OP)
(I don't know how to do the whole link thingy)
-
>Don't whistle anything while we're still near them. We're trying to be stealthy.
-
>Continue westward
>Keep an eye out for any sign of a road, or even a footpath that looks traveled on
>You continue westward, keeping quiet until you're sure you're out of earshot.
>The underbrush here is a not more sparse, instead you find mushrooms becoming more common; or perhaps they are toadstools? You have no idea what the difference is. The trees are still thick, but they are thinning out as well; however, the canopy seems more dense; perhaps more branches are entwined? Up ahead, you can see a pair of those small people, reclining among the mushrooms.
> Whistle a tune (Kinema-kan 2nd curtain OP)
>Don't whistle anything while we're still near them. We're trying to be stealthy.
>This would quite neatly get their attention, you are pretty sure.
>_
-
>Observe these two for a little bit, while trying to remain out of sight
-
>Observe these two for a little bit, while trying to remain out of sight
>You watch them. They seem to be staring at the forest canopy, and talking among themselves. Are they holding hands? Awwww...
>_
-
> What do they look like?
-
> What do they look like?
>One is a comparitively short blond whose hair is in thick ringlets; wearing a lacy blue dress. The other is a taller and slimmer brown-haired girl in white. You don't think either of them would be more than hip high to you.
>_
-
>Keep on heading westward around them. No need to intrude. Even if they do look mighty cute there...
-
>Keep on heading westward around them. No need to intrude. Even if they do look mighty cute there...
>You work your way around them. Given the relative quiet, it's much harder to stay silent now.
>_
-
>Give them a wide berth and watch your step; we're looking for stealth more than speed right now.
-
>Give them a wide berth and watch your step; we're looking for stealth more than speed right now.
>Will you be heading north or south to give them space?
>_
-
>Are there any obvious differences that we can see in either direction?
>If not, go north
-
>Are there any obvious differences that we can see in either direction?
>If not, go north
>Not that you can see. The forest is rather dense, though.
>You circle around the duo, heading northward. The forest grows a bit less mushroom-first. Up ahead, you can see what looks like a house between the trees.
>_
-
>Get a closer look at that house
-
>Examine the house from within the foliage.
>If there's nothing of note to see at the moment, leave a marker of some sort at your current location to keep track of it, and circle around the house once for a better look.
-
>Get a closer look at that house
>You move closer to the house. It's...really weird, given when you think of house, you think of things like siding and shingled roofs and the like. This one has some wooden frames, with a kind of...rocky stuff between them. You really don't know what it is. It's like mud, you think, but it looks more study. There are some windows set into it, with curtains drawn over them. It has been painted white, but you think it could probably use another coat. You don't see a door, it must be on the other side.
>Examine the house from within the foliage.
>If there's nothing of note to see at the moment, leave a marker of some sort at your current location to keep track of it, and circle around the house once for a better look.
>You notice a sizable flat rock, that should do.
>You start to circle the house and notice a door to the east side of it.
>"Hey," comes a voice from the house's general direction, "Who's out there!"
>_
>_
-
>Look towards the voice
>"Uh, hello? I'm just exploring. I'm not meaning to trespass or anything. I'm looking for the village."
-
>Is there anything noteworthy outside of the house?
-
> Introduce ourselves to that person
-
>Look towards the voice
>"Uh, hello? I'm just exploring. I'm not meaning to trespass or anything. I'm looking for the village."
>You look in the voice's direction, but you see trees in the way.
>"Ah, is that it. Well, you've got a ways to go."
>Is there anything noteworthy outside of the house?
>Could be. Being in the middle of thick forest makes it hard to tell.
> Introduce ourselves to that person
>"Well hello there, Maribel. I'm Mystia. Why don't you come on out?"
>_
-
>"Uh, are you a youkai, too?"
-
>"I'm afraid I'm a little wary after the other people I've encountered around here. Is this your house?"
-
>"Uh, are you a youkai, too?"
>"Yeah, don't worry," she answers.
>"I'm afraid I'm a little wary after the other people I've encountered around here. Is this your house?"
>"Oh, the faeries been giving you trouble? They've been a little antsy at the moment. And it sure is. You going to come on over or what?"
>_
-
>Cautiously step out of the trees
-
> "Um ok."
> Make our way out slowly, and look for the source if the voice.
> Upon noticing the source of the voice, can we tell what she looks like?
-
>"I took care to avoid the fairies. A... different girl caught me by surprise before that."
>Pray that this one isn't the sort to attack people randomly like the oni and Kisume...
>If the voice is coming from the direction of the house, step cautiously into the open and look for Mystia. Otherwise, stay put so she can't easily find you. Keep looking for her.
-
>Cautiously step out of the trees
> "Um ok."
> Make our way out slowly, and look for the source if the voice.
> Upon noticing the source of the voice, can we tell what she looks like?
>You don't really step out of the trees so much as you step from the thick trees to the slightly less thick but still difficult to move through trees. Not far from the house, you can see what looks like a ramen stand, set up in the middle of the forest. Sitting behind is a small, pink-haired woman in a brown dress and a bowl-like hat. The small wings extending from her back, the tufts extending from her ears, and especially the claws extending from her fingers all give away her youkai heritage.
>She is giving you an appraising look.
>"I took care to avoid the fairies. A... different girl caught me by surprise before that."
>Pray that this one isn't the sort to attack people randomly like the oni and Kisume...
>If the voice is coming from the direction of the house, step cautiously into the open and look for Mystia. Otherwise, stay put so she can't easily find you. Keep looking for her.
>Not really knowing the territory so well, it is impossible for you to really step forward and not be seen when she's actively looking for you.
>So far, so good.
>"I thought you said you were a youkai," she says at least. She doesn't sound particularly upset, at least.
>_
-
>"I didn't say that..."
>Take another couple steps forward
>Can we get a better look at the stand?
-
>It was the "you're a youkai, too?" wasn't it?
>"I haven't met too many youkai before now, so I'm a bit cautious."
>So much for attempts at bluffing our race.
>Head into the open, try to act natural.
>"What's this stand of yours?"
-
>"I didn't say that..."
>Take another couple steps forward
>Can we get a better look at the stand?
>"'Are you a youkai, too?', You said!" she says, frowning. "Who else was there to be the other one?"
>You walk forward, and get a better look at the stand. You're approaching it from behind, and can see a grill taking up much of the rear, as well as various sauces. There's a curtain at the front, which allows people to duck behind it while eating and have some privacy. Though, for the middle of the forest, it may not be needed. Then again, faeries.
>It was the "you're a youkai, too?" wasn't it?
>"I haven't met too many youkai before now, so I'm a bit cautious."
>So much for attempts at bluffing our race.
>Head into the open, try to act natural.
>"What's this stand of yours?"
>Seems that way.
>"Oh, well. I suppose I can't blame you. You shouldn't just wander out of the village, though.
>Yeah, it seems she can tell.
>You head out into the open, as it were, and ask about the stand. "I sell grilled lamprey,'" she says. "You want some? I'm not open just yet, but I could whip you up one."
>_
-
>"That would be very generous of you, but I'm afraid I don't have any money on me. Right now, I mostly want to get to the village and talk to Keine. Which way is it to the road?"
-
>Are we hungry?
>Do we have any idea if that's even something we'd like if we WERE hungry?
>Point west
>"The village is that way, right?"
>"And I 'shouldn't wander around outside of it'? Are you going to tell me about how everything around here is potentially dangerous, too? That seems to be something of a pattern, lately..."
-
>"That would be very generous of you, but I'm afraid I don't have any money on me. Right now, I mostly want to get to the village and talk to Keine. Which way is it to the road?"
>"Oh, that's a problem. But I can at least give you directions for free. Just head west until you hit the road, or head north until you make your way out of the forest, and it should be pretty obvious.
>Are we hungry?
>Do we have any idea if that's even something we'd like if we WERE hungry?
>Point west
>"The village is that way, right?"
>"And I 'shouldn't wander around outside of it'? Are you going to tell me about how everything around here is potentially dangerous, too? That seems to be something of a pattern, lately..."
>Yeah, that bread from before is wearing thing.
>"The road, actually."
>"Well, if you're worried enough to be avoiding faeries, it's probably a good idea not to go wandering. Although, maybe that's smart, keeping away from the faeries."
>_
-
>"Yeah, I don't really know the lay of the land. I'm, uh, kinda new around here...."
-
>"About how long of a walk would it be to the village from here?"
>Hope that doesn't make her suspicious about flight ability.
-
>"Yeah, I don't really know the lay of the land. I'm, uh, kinda new around here...."
>"The forest is a little tricky, but once you get out it shouldn't be too far to the fields you know."
>"About how long of a walk would it be to the village from here?"
>Hope that doesn't make her suspicious about flight ability.
>"I don't walk it, but it shouldn't be long."
>_
-
>"Tricky? What do you mean by that?"
-
>"Tricky? What do you mean by that?"
>"Easy to get lost if you don't know it. Sometimes unsafe. Don't worry about it too much, just find the road and you'll be fine."
>_
-
>"Ok, well thank you for being friendly and helpful. I'll try making my way back, now. Sorry I didn't have any money on me to buy something."
>Wave goodbye
>Head west
-
>Keeping in mind Mystia's directions, favor north if you have to veer off course to avoid obstacles.
-
>"Ok, well thank you for being friendly and helpful. I'll try making my way back, now. Sorry I didn't have any money on me to buy something."
>Wave goodbye
>Head west
>"Bring some next time!" She says as you depart, you don't know if it's in jest or not.
>You wave, and she returns the gesture.
>Heading west, you find the forest thinning out. Soon, you can see a round ahead.
>Keeping in mind Mystia's directions, favor north if you have to veer off course to avoid obstacles.
>This doesn't seem to be particularly necessary.
>_
-
>follow
round road northerlyish. Watch for fairies or whatever.
-
>follow round road northerlyish. Watch for fairies or whatever.
>You reach the road. It's almost shocking to have a range of sight again. Looking north, you see that the forest soon comes to an end, giving way to open fields. To the south, you see a building that looks like someone's house, made of wood, with a lot of junk out front.
>Heading North, you leave the forest, and come to open fields. Up ahead is a crossroad with a pond near it. To the north, so distance away, you can see a town. Far to the west, you see what looks like a mansion.
>_
-
>Town. We need to know what's going on, and to avoid being humiliated by a knee-high fairy in addition to mugged by a girl in a bucket.
-
>Town. We need to know what's going on, and to avoid being humiliated by a knee-high fairy in addition to mugged by a girl in a bucket.
>You might luck out and be humiliated by a waist-high faerie.
>Soon enough, you approach the outskirts. The buildings here are much like those of the oni city, but less brightly painted, and with fewer lanterns. As well, the homes are more spaced out. There is no hint of electricity or phone line, or any sort of modern convenience. There is a timeless quality to the village. You feel yourself passing through another sphere of influence. Up ahead, you can see what much be a tavern, given the sign with the sake bottle and dish.
>_
-
>Well, taverns are the typical place to get information in old-style villages, aren't they? Step inside and look around
-
>Well, taverns are the typical place to get information in old-style villages, aren't they? Step inside and look around
>You walk into the tavern. It is...pretty empty, at the moment. Given it's still fairly early in the morning, this isn't terribly surprising. There is a bored-looking woman with blue hair, a matching dress, and an apron with a rainbow colored hem. She looks up at you and gives a pretty smile. "Come on in!"
>_
-
>Go on in
>"Hello, there. I'm, uh, looking for someone named Keine. I don't suppose you know her?"
-
>Go on in
>"Hello, there. I'm, uh, looking for someone named Keine. I don't suppose you know her?"
>She laughs. "Oh, is this a new game? Okay. Keine's at the schoolhouse, probably, getting ready for today's lessons."
>_
-
>"A game? What do you mean?"
>"And where exactly is this schoolhouse?"
-
>"Is the schoolhouse easily identifiable? I'm from... out of town."
>The human village should be safe, if others like us live here. There are fewer secrets to keep now. Hopefully.
-
>"A game? What do you mean?"
>"And where exactly is this schoolhouse?"
>She chuckles. "I'm losing, aren't I? Okay. Just go down the street. It's the one with the playground."
>"Is the schoolhouse easily identifiable? I'm from... out of town."
>The human village should be safe, if others like us live here. There are fewer secrets to keep now. Hopefully.
>"Of course you are! It's the only one with a playground."
>You hope so. But this girl makes you a little antsy.
>_
-
>"Alright. Thanks."
>Head for the playground!... er, the schoolhouse!
-
>"Alright. Thanks."
>Head for the playground!... er, the schoolhouse!
>"You're welcome!" says the barkeeper brightly.
>You follow the blue-haired woman's directions, and sturdy-looking building, painted white, with a playground beside it. A few children are playing in it.
>_
-
>Look around for any potential Keine.
>Otherwise, walk inside and do the same
-
>Do any of the kids look unusual?
-
>Do any of the kids look unusual?
>You think one of them has a tail. It's hard to see when they're all running around.
>Look around for any potential Keine.
>Otherwise, walk inside and do the same
>You don't see anyone who looks like they would be running a school, so you head inside. There, you find a mid-sized woman with long silvery hair, writing on a blackboard. She wears a very curious hat, which makes you think of the top of a pagoda. She looks over her shoulder and says, "Oh, Chen should be outside if you-"
>Then she pauses and turns around to face you.
>"Wait, who are you?" she asks, frowning.
>_
-
>"Hi, are you Keine? I'm Maribel."
-
>"I heard you might know why I woke up in Satori's palace."
-
>"Just out of curiosity, who did you think I was?"
-
>"Hi, are you Keine? I'm Maribel."
>She nods. "Have a seat, Maribel." she says.
>Having a bit more time to look around, you see the room is filled with old tables and chairs of varying sizes. Childish drawings cover the walls. The windows catch the sunlight well, leaving the room light nearly as well as outside.
>"I heard you might know why I woke up in Satori's palace."
>"I am not sure why you would exp-Hmmm. No, never mind. I think I understand. Who sent you to me? Utsuho? Parsee?"
>"Just out of curiosity, who did you think I was?"
>"It's not important right now."
>_
-
>"Mostly Parsee. The oni spooked me a bit, so I didn't try to hunt down Utsuho in the city. That Kisume girl was a problem, but I made it here alive, at least..."
>Have a seat somewhere near her.
>"Should I ask who Chen is, then?"
-
>"Parsee mentioned you might know. I heard some of the story of what happened from Satori, too. I remember both Parsee and Utsuho from this 'other world' or whatever it is, if that's relevant."
-
>"Mostly Parsee. The oni spooked me a bit, so I didn't try to hunt down Utsuho in the city. That Kisume girl was a problem, but I made it here alive, at least..."
>Have a seat somewhere near her.
>"Should I ask who Chen is, then?"
>She nods. "Let's not worry about Chen for now. Am I correct in thinking you came from outside?"
-
>"From what I understand, yes. Certainly, I've never seen this place before today."
-
>"From what I understand, yes. Certainly, I've never seen this place before today."
>"Then I think I know why you are here. But, you will not be satisfied with what I tell you."
>_
-
>Sigh
>"Let me guess. No idea how I got here, and no obvious way to get me back?"
-
>"I know how you got here," says Keine. "In short, you were carried over by the currents, so to speak, by chance. There's no greater meaning to your being here than that. At most, perhaps your own desires played a role."
>She shakes her head. "I apologize, then, for being an instrument in tearing you away from your life. I am not sure if you can easily get back, and I am not sure what you would find if you did get back. It would be a question for the Shrine Maiden."
>_
-
>"My desires? Well... I've always been searching for the supernatural. That's why we came to Gensokyo Isle in the first place."
>"I don't really understand what happened there. For some reason, my memories of the last while are fuzzy, and no one else gave me a very good explanation. But I heard you'd probably know best of anyone."
>"And who's this shrine maiden, and why might she know?"
-
>"My desires? Well... I've always been searching for the supernatural. That's why we came to Gensokyo Isle in the first place."
>"I don't really understand what happened there. For some reason, my memories of the last while are fuzzy, and no one else gave me a very good explanation. But I heard you'd probably know best of anyone."
>"And who's this shrine maiden, and why might she know?"
>She nods. "I thought that might be the case. It may have played a role in bringing you here."
>"Your memories are fuzzy for the same reason everyone else's is. To a large degree, Gensokyo Isle never existed. Nothing that anyone recalls happening there actually happened."
>She shrugs. "Except for when it did. Sadly, this isn't quite so neat as one would hope."
>"The shrine maiden is the person who minds the border between this world and the other. She would be a good person to consult about leaving, if this is your wish."
>_
-
>"This place is very dangerous, and my early experiences have been... mixed. It's amazing stuff, but I'm not sure I'm in a position to get to see much of it. Can everyone here really fly and use that 'danmaku' stuff?"
>"I think if I can find a way to defend myself, I'd like to explore. But I should see how possible it would be to go back before I get too involved, shouldn't I?"
>"And I should definitely try to make sure Renko didn't end up here, too..."
-
>"I... might eventually want to return home. But I don't think I want to leave yet. You have to understand that in a lot of ways, being here is like a dream come true. There's so much I want to see and understand."
>"Do you know of any way to find other people who... might not belong here? I'm just wondering if there's any chance that Renko ended up here, too. She was my best friend, and we were searching for this kind of stuff together. It might be a slim chance, but still..."
-
>"This place is very dangerous, and my early experiences have been... mixed. It's amazing stuff, but I'm not sure I'm in a position to get to see much of it. Can everyone here really fly and use that 'danmaku' stuff?"
>"I think if I can find a way to defend myself, I'd like to explore. But I should see how possible it would be to go back before I get too involved, shouldn't I?"
>"And I should definitely try to make sure Renko didn't end up here, too..."
>"I... might eventually want to return home. But I don't think I want to leave yet. You have to understand that in a lot of ways, being here is like a dream come true. There's so much I want to see and understand."
>"Do you know of any way to find other people who... might not belong here? I'm just wondering if there's any chance that Renko ended up here, too. She was my best friend, and we were searching for this kind of stuff together. It might be a slim chance, but still..."
>"Not everyone can fly," says Keine, "But they are common techniques for the those who have the potential. Unfortunately, I'm not really equipped to gauge if you do. But, there are a few people who can do this for you, though whether they would teach you is another matter."
>she smiles. "I don't think anyone would be in a hurry to shoo you off, if you didn't want to leave,"
>"I've not heard of anyone else who has appeared here. But, it's only been a short time. Not everyone would be so fortunate as you to appear near well-informed people."
>_
-
>"Who are these people who might be able to teach me? Or at least test me?"
-
>Nod.
>"Where is the shrine maiden? Talking to her is clearly a good idea, but if it's dangerous..."
-
>"Who are these people who might be able to teach me? Or at least test me?"
>"Well, nearest by would be Byakuren Hijiri," says Keine. "She stays at the north end of town in her temple. She is one of the most skilled magicians I've ever met, I imagine she would be able to determine your potential easily. She may even agree to train you a little. Her specialty is magic than enhances."
>"There is the shrine maiden, Reimu Hakurei, who is exceedingly skilled. But she is also lazy and rather young, I don't know if she would make a good teacher. You would have to capture her interest, at least. That sort of training would certainly be more spiritual in nature."
>"I should mention Sanae Kochiya, but who is also a shrine maiden. However, I am not sure how trustworthy she may be right now. And, to be honestly, she's a little dim sometimes."
>"Marisa Kirasame, who is a black magician living in the Forest of Magic, may take interest in you. But, like Reimu, she is rather shiftless. Her magic is based around stellar objects and emotions. She's powerful, but not very subtle. Like Reimu, you'd have to capture her interest.
>"You may want to try Alice Margatroid, who also lives in the Forest. Her magic is color-based, though I am not certain that that means. She is also a first class enchanter. That said, she is a youkai, and may not take interest in you. But she would be a good teacher if you could capture her interest.
>"South of the Forest is Scarlet Devil Mansion, where Patchouli Knowledge lives. Her name is a little pretentious, but she earned it. She is easily Byakuren's rival, if not in skill, then certainly in versatility. I don't know if she'd ever care to take on a student, for she lives research more than anything. You could learn a wide range of things from her, and she could easily assess you talents.
>"Finally, there is Sakuya Izayoi, who is head maid at the same mansion. You would certainly have to capture her interest before she would do anything for you, or her mistress' interest. If you could, she would certainly be an effect teacher, having drilled countless faeries in the art of housekeeping. Her lessons would be...unique, I daresay. She employs many tricks others do not. I don't even know how many of them she can teach."
>Nod.
>"Where is the shrine maiden? Talking to her is clearly a good idea, but if it's dangerous..."
>"It would only be dangerous if you met faeries on the way, which is possible, or if you angered one of her guests. She lives to the north of town, there is an overgrown path."
>_
-
>"How dangerous would fairies be, unarmed as I am? I took care to avoid them in the forest, after my little run-in with Kisume."
>"And what sort of guests would Reimu have?"
>Mental note: Check out Byakuren's before leaving town. Knowing our potential in this respect could make a big difference.
-
>"Wow, that's a pretty extensive list. Thank you. I'm not sure how interesting I am, though. Hopefully being a human from outside is at least a conversation starter. But I think I'll drop by Byakuren's first. At least I don't have to go anywhere dangerous to get there. And I can maybe work my way around to some of the others once I get my bearings"
>"I don't suppose you have any words of wisdom for a new arrival? Other than 'everything here is potentially dangerous'. I seem to be getting that a lot today."
-
>"Do you think my ability to sense borders would help catch any of their interests? I do remember you said the shrine maiden takes care of one..."
-
>"How dangerous would fairies be, unarmed as I am? I took care to avoid them in the forest, after my little run-in with Kisume."
>"And what sort of guests would Reimu have?"
>Mental note: Check out Byakuren's before leaving town. Knowing our potential in this respect could make a big difference.
>"Generally not as dangerous as Kisume would be. Faeries, individually, are not very powerful. But, you want to be sure not to anger groups of them. It's had to say a lot about them as a group, save that they are flighty and unpredictable. Most regard them as a nuisance more than a threat. Usually, though, being polite will work in your favor.
>"All sorts of youkai visit her. As well, she has an oni who lives there. That shouldn't be a problem for you, though."
>This seems like a good idea.
>"Wow, that's a pretty extensive list. Thank you. I'm not sure how interesting I am, though. Hopefully being a human from outside is at least a conversation starter. But I think I'll drop by Byakuren's first. At least I don't have to go anywhere dangerous to get there. And I can maybe work my way around to some of the others once I get my bearings"
>"I don't suppose you have any words of wisdom for a new arrival? Other than 'everything here is potentially dangerous'. I seem to be getting that a lot today."
>"I try to be thorough. And that seems like a good idea."
>She ponders. "Try not to get on the bad side of Remilia, Mistress of Scarlet Devil Mansion. She is about as dogged as an oni, and not nearly so honest."
>"Do you think my ability to sense borders would help catch any of their interests? I do remember you said the shrine maiden takes care of one..."
>"Sense borders?"
>_
-
>explain our ability
>ask what hers is!
-
>explain our ability
>ask what hers is!
>"Interesting," says Keine. "You may well have the potential to be a shrine maiden yourself."
>"It's difficult to explain. Let us just say I keep history consistent and leave it at that."
>_
-
>"Is that so? I guess I should bring it up when I talk to Reimu, then. Unless she'd dislike the competition?"
>"And, no wonder you could help set things... straight here, apparently. But how did it change in the first place so that you HAD to fix it?"
>Were you screwing around with it?
-
>"Is that so? I guess I should bring it up when I talk to Reimu, then. Unless she'd dislike the competition?"
>"And, no wonder you could help set things... straight here, apparently. But how did it change in the first place so that you HAD to fix it?"
>Were you screwing around with it?
>"I don't know what she'd think," says Keine, "But I hardly imagine she would get upset about it. At worst, she'd probably just make you do the dirty work."
>"It's a long story, and I don't really have time to tell it before class."
>_
-
>"Fair enough. Who WOULD know, then? Utsuho? Reimu? Or should I come back after school's out, whenever that is?"
-
>"Fair enough. Who WOULD know, then? Utsuho? Reimu? Or should I come back after school's out, whenever that is?"
>"Utsuho or Parsee could tell you more, or yes, visit once school is out. Is there anything else you need?"
>_
-
>"I don't think so. You've been a huge help, Miss Keine. Thank you."
>bid farewell and head to Byakuren's temple.
-
> Evaluate all potential teachers
-
>"I don't think so. You've been a huge help, Miss Keine. Thank you."
>bid farewell and head to Byakuren's temple.
> Evaluate all potential teachers
>"I'd do more, but I really need to begin class."
>As you bid Keine farewell, she walks through another another door that leads toward the playground. You watch her round up the children as you start to follow her directions, telling them if they don't hurry up and get into class, they'll not be getting any more extended recesses.
>You contemplate the various people that Keine named as you head northward, passing a decently-sized building called Shou's Clothes in the process. You don't have a whole lot to contemplate; you know two of them are shrine maidens, one is a maid that does unique things, and the rest seem to be flavors of magician. They all sound interesting.
>Soon, you come to the northern outskirts of town. Looking ahead, you can see a number of fields full of crops. Here and there, farmer tend to them. You think some are starting to harvest, but your knowledge of agriculture is next to none. Nearby, you see a large building that looks oddly like an old ship, made of wood painted dark blue. A number of sheets have been thrown over it, giving you the feeling that it's being renovated. The side of the ship has a door cut into it, wide open, with a ratty carpet placed outside that reads "Welcome" Obvious exits are North, South, and West.
>_
-
>Walk near the door.
>Poke head inside.
>"Hello?"
-
>Walk near the door.
>Poke head inside.
>"Hello?"
>You walk near the door and look inside. There's a smell of sawdust in the air, and sheets hanging from the ceiling, obscuring your view to the left and right. A corridor formed by the sheets leads further inside. You can hear someone hammering off to the left.
>You call out, and the hammering stops, "Is someone there? Just a minute please."
>A white-haired woman wearing a blue hood pokes her head through the sheets. "Ah, can I help you?"
>_
-
>"Ah, hello. I'm looking for Byakuren Hijiri. Am I in the right place?"
-
>"Ah, hello. I'm looking for Byakuren Hijiri. Am I in the right place?"
>She nods. "What do you need with her? She's a little busy at the moment"
>_
-
>"Oh, is she? Well, you see, I'm a newcomer to Gensokyo, and Keine suggested that it might be a good idea to talk to her."
-
>"Oh, is she? Well, you see, I'm a newcomer to Gensokyo, and Keine suggested that it might be a good idea to talk to her."
>"Is that so?" says the hooded woman. "Well, I believe she'll make a little time for you, then. Just a moment."
>She steps back behind the current, and you hear some quiet talking. Then you hear some heavy footsteps approaching. The curtain opens to reveal a huge woman, easily several feet taller than you are, with long hair that is purple near the roots and fades to brown and wearing a white dress.. Despite her largeness, she is rather pretty. She gives you a smile and says, "What can I do for you? Shall we step outside?"
>_
-
>"Sure. You're Byakuren, I assume? I'm Maribel."
>Follow her out
>"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something. It looks like there's a fair bit of construction going on in there. Is that your... temple?"
-
>"Sure. You're Byakuren, I assume? I'm Maribel."
>Follow her out
>"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something. It looks like there's a fair bit of construction going on in there. Is that your... temple?"
>"Hello Maribel," she says as she steps outside, then has a seat beside the building, leaning back against the wall. It is a little distressing to be around someone who can sit down and still look you in the eyes.
>"We're getting it fixed up, but yes, it is. We had been saving for a long time to get the materials."
>_
-
>"Ah, I see. Well, as you probably heard, I'm new to Gensokyo. I just woke up in the Palace of the Earth Spirits earlier today, and managed to make my way here."
>"This is probably going to sound a little silly. Well, I feel a little silly asking it, anyway, but I was wondering if you might be able to see if I have any magical potential in me. Keine said you'd be a good person to talk to about that."
-
>"Ah, I see. Well, as you probably heard, I'm new to Gensokyo. I just woke up in the Palace of the Earth Spirits earlier today, and managed to make my way here."
>"This is probably going to sound a little silly. Well, I feel a little silly asking it, anyway, but I was wondering if you might be able to see if I have any magical potential in me. Keine said you'd be a good person to talk to about that."
>"So, you are from outside, somewhere?" She asks. "And no, it shouldn't be a problem. Do not feel bad for asking. May I have your hands?"
>_
-
>"Sure."
>Do as she says
-
>"Sure."
>Do as she says
>You offer her your hands, and she takes them into her own. Seeing your hands engulfed in hers, you are reminded of some of holding your mother's hands, back when you were a small child.
>"This may prickle a bit," she says softly. "But it shouldn't be too bad."
>Byakuren closes her eyes, and begins to speak softly, too much so for you to hear. A sort of electric sensation runs along your skin, feeling uncomfortably like having too much static electricity around you. It's a little difficult not to squirm and try to get rid of it, but you keep yourself still lest you ruin whatever she is doing.
>"Hmm, I think you do," she says, as she lets go of your hands. "I think you have a fair deal, in fact."
>_
-
>"Really?"
>Internally squee with excitement
>"Do you think you could teach me how to do something with it? Magic isn't something that most people where I came from believe even exists. I'd have no idea where to start."
-
>"Really?"
>Internally squee with excitement
>"Do you think you could teach me how to do something with it? Magic isn't something that most people where I came from believe even exists. I'd have no idea where to start."
>She nods, and smiles as you try to contain your excitement, and presumably fail.
>"I may," she says, "But, you must understand a few things about magic, first. I will assume you already understand it is not a toy. But you must not be careless with it. It is very possible for you to hurt yourself, others, or the world around you if you use it carelessly. I expect you have no intentions of such, but be warned regardless. In particular, do not try to exceed yourself. That runs a very grave risk of incurring those consequences. That said, I understand there are times when you may have to. As well, do not drink too greedily from it, or you may become a youkai. Do you understand what this means?"
>_
-
> "Um... I know that becoming a youkai means no longer being human, but I'm not sure I'm aware of any other specific consequences of it. Is it mind-altering somehow?"
-
> "Um... I know that becoming a youkai means no longer being human, but I'm not sure I'm aware of any other specific consequences of it. Is it mind-altering somehow?"
>She nods. "It means just that. The act of becoming isn't an innately bad thing, though in times past it was seen that way. But, if you must, think of it as akin to making love to someone. The act itself isn't bad and doesn't mean that you are no longer yourself. But the ramifications and feelings incurred from it may change you. In the old days, you would be shunned for it, if not hated, but this seems not to be true anymore. Even then, it will remain a stigma on your soul that you rescinded who you are, be it for power. dissatisfaction, obsession, or any of the other myriad reasons. You will incur suspicion for it. It is only natural, I am afraid. In your particular case, it will make it much harder for you to leave Gensokyo, as well. It is a place for youkai. Worst of all, it will incur a karmic debt that must be paid, if not in this life, then in another. To rescind one's birth is to turn one's back on karma."
>She smiles and pats your shoulder. "But, it isn't all doom and gloom. Even though it will harm your karma, that can be repaid. It may change who you are, or it may not. That depends on the strength of your soul. You will be regarded with suspicion, but this can be overcome. You may well decide it is what you want to be for whatever reason touches you. If nothing else, I'd like to feel I have overcome most of the trials involved."
>_
-
>"You think you have... So, did this happen to you, then? Would it be impolite of me to ask what it was like, for you? How it feels different to be a youkai than a human? And is this a... common side effect?"
-
>"You think you have... So, did this happen to you, then? Would it be impolite of me to ask what it was like, for you? How it feels different to be a youkai than a human? And is this a... common side effect?"
>She nods. "Some may consider it a little rude, but I don't mind if you ask. For me, it was...sobering, in some ways. I rejected my humanity out of fear of death, and sought power out of desire to help the world. I didn't quite realize it at the time, I was also quite disgusted with my fellow people as well.I think, in the end, it helped me see that I had a great deal of my pride involved in the process as well. It...doesn't feel different, exactly, aside from the obvious. But I think it also depends on an individual's circumstances. As for this," she gestures to herself, "It is not common at all, no. It's a side effect of some of the things I did to myself in the process." She grins. "Would you be interested in joining me?"
>_
-
> "A-as a youkai? I'm... Not sure. This Gensokyo is an amazing place, to be sure, but I don't know if I can really say I don't want to go home. And that karmic debt you mentioned sounds rather intimidating. I don't think I'm ready for such a decision."
-
>"Ah well. I rather missed having someone I could share clothes with," she says. "As I said, karma can be repaid. But, it can be a difficult thing to do, and would likely occupy a good deal of time for you. But, in the end, such a decision would be yours. Do not worry. If you want to avoid it, you can likely stave it off for some time. That said, some people are much more prone to it than others. I wouldn't be able to tell how much you would be without some deep investigation."
>_
-
>"But it's still possible to practice magic, and remain human, though, right?"
>"Either way, I need to start at the beginning. What should I do, to start with?"
-
>"But it's still possible to practice magic, and remain human, though, right?"
>"Either way, I need to start at the beginning. What should I do, to start with?"
>She nods. "It can be difficult, but it's possible and plausible.
>"Well, from what I was able to read, you seem to be rather versatile. You should be able to learn most things you apply yourself to. You seem to have a slight proclivity toward barriers, and a somewhat stronger one toward time-based magic. You're not very strong, though. With time and effort, skill may be able to overcome your lack of natural power. Or, you could try to enhance it naturally. As for where to start, I think you might be interested in learning danmaku, or perhaps flight? They're both rather basic skills."
>_
-
>"Absolutely! Those would both be great. I've already been involved in one danmaku fight, although it mostly just involved running and ducking at appropriate times on my part. And I want to keep exploring this place, so it would be good to be able to defend myself a little, if necessary."
>"How would I go about learning these things?"
>"And what do you mean by 'enhancing it naturally', anyway?"
-
>Mental note: Mention Renko when the time is right.
-
>"Absolutely! Those would both be great. I've already been involved in one danmaku fight, although it mostly just involved running and ducking at appropriate times on my part. And I want to keep exploring this place, so it would be good to be able to defend myself a little, if necessary."
>"How would I go about learning these things?"
>"And what do you mean by 'enhancing it naturally', anyway?"
>"I suppose I could take the time to start you upon one or the other. I would hate to see you exploring without some means of taking care of yourself. Which would you prefer? As for enhancing, that means expanding your natural talent, rather than refining it. It is a little difficult to do on your own. I suppose, if you were willing to prove yourself, I would be willing to assist you in such if you felt you wished to do this.
>Mental note: Mention Renko when the time is right.
>You wonder if she'd know anything?
>_
-
>"Well, I suppose if I had to pick one, I think I should probably start with danmaku. Flying sounds amazingly fun, but it might be best to have a way to defend myself first."
>"And prove myself how?"
-
>"I'll consider it. You seem like a kind person, and you clearly know what you're doing. But right now I mostly want to be able to defend myself well enough to find my friend, Renko. We were both close to the incident that left me in this Gensokyo, and I think she might have ended up here, too. I want to at least try and find her before I make any really big decisions."
>"... although, how much do you think flight would help in getting away from a fight?"
-
>"Well, I suppose if I had to pick one, I think I should probably start with danmaku. Flying sounds amazingly fun, but it might be best to have a way to defend myself first."
>"And prove myself how?"
>She nods. "Alright. I can show you the very basics, at least."
>"I would have you undergo a test, to show me you wouldn't be planning to misuse such a gift. As well, I would need you to gather up a few components for me.
>"I'll consider it. You seem like a kind person, and you clearly know what you're doing. But right now I mostly want to be able to defend myself well enough to find my friend, Renko. We were both close to the incident that left me in this Gensokyo, and I think she might have ended up here, too. I want to at least try and find her before I make any really big decisions."
>"... although, how much do you think flight would help in getting away from a fight?"
>Byakuren nods. "It is your choice. I just wish for you to make them without undue stress or misinformation."
>"It is more effective than running on foot. But a determined foe will likely try to chase you. Still, it will give you a vast array of defensive options you wouldn't have otherwise."
>_
-
>"What are these components? In case I happen to bump into them while I'm out and about, anyway."
>"And yes, it would be great if you could show me the basics. I'll be one of the most attentive students you've ever had, I promise."
-
>"What are these components? In case I happen to bump into them while I'm out and about, anyway."
>"And yes, it would be great if you could show me the basics. I'll be one of the most attentive students you've ever had, I promise."
>She chuckles. "I'll get you a list. In the meantime, where would you like to start?"
-
>"I think I'll go with danmaku for now. And remember, I don't have the slightest clue how any of this works. I'll try to be a quick study, though!"
-
>"I think I'll go with danmaku for now. And remember, I don't have the slightest clue how any of this works. I'll try to be a quick study, though!"
>She nods. "Allow me a moment while I get some supplies."
>Byakuren walks back into the temple. After a few moments, she returns with what looks like a tree branch; looking like a twig in her huge hands. She offers it to you. "This will serve you as a focus. Follow me, we'll move someplace a little safer."
>_
-
>Take the branch
>Follow her
-
>Take the branch
>Follow her
>You obtain: Branch
>Byakuren leads you behind the ship-turned-temple. You can hear someone sawing away inside. Behind it, you can see an old, square-style tent. Past it is a wild grassland as far as your eyes can see.
>"This should do," says Byakuren. "The first step to danmaku, or any kind of mystical art, is to learn to draw upon your inner potential. It sounds complicated, but it really is not. Once you get used to it, you'll be able to do it practically at a moment's notice. For now, take that branch in both hands and hold it in front of you. Then, I want you to close your eyes, and just focus on it. Try to feel the warm inside it."
>_
-
> Close our eyes.
> Focus on the branch in an attempt to feel the warmth.
-
> Close our eyes.
> Focus on the branch in an attempt to feel the warmth.
>You follow her instructions. The branch, however, is about as cold as you would expect the branch to be. It's been inside all day, probably, and in a box or something. But you keep at, and...hey, there's some warmth. Where'd that come from?
>_
-
>Focus on the warmth, and keep concentrating
-
>Focus on the warmth, and keep concentrating
>You can feel it, alright.
>"Once you have it," says Byakuren softly, "I want you to focus on drawing it into your hands. Just imagine it pulling back into your hands. Once you've done this, hold onto that feeling, envision a bullet, extend your palm, and release."
>_
-
>Visualize reaching out to this warmth with our hands
>Grasp it, hold it, give it form
>Thrust our palm forward and open our eyes
>Release!
-
>Visualize reaching out to this warmth with our hands
>Grasp it, hold it, give it form
>Thrust our palm forward and open our eyes
>Release!
>You do these things and...a little white sphere flies out from your palm! You watch, speechless, as it lazily flies toward the grassland before vanishing.
>_
-
>"That was- I can't believe I just did that! I mean, it doesn't look very threatening, but..."
>Remain awestruck for a moment
>Try it again
-
> Try making it a different colour
-
>"That was- I can't believe I just did that! I mean, it doesn't look very threatening, but..."
>Remain awestruck for a moment
>Try it again
> Try making it a different colour
>"The first one's always the hardest," says Byakuren. "If you have the talent, it's not hard to pick it up. I suppose that might be part of what brought you here. But, doing it, and being good at it, are two different things."
>Holy shit, you just did real, bona fide, no foolin' magic! You just made the laws of science and reason a joke. You feel giddy!
>You try it again. Remembering some of the things you've seen earlier, you try to make a red one.
>You fire off another one, this time conjuring it a bit faster than before. It has a reddish tinge to it.
>_
-
>"Oh my god this is awesome."
-
>"Oh my god this is awesome."
>It really is, holy crap.
>"I remember how I felt, when I first pulled it off." says Byakuren, chuckling. "Now, try to hold it for a moment, and conjure as many as you can imagine."
>_
-
>Draw in power again. Try to hold even more than before
>Visualize a huge swarm of danmaku. Even if we can't pull that off, may as well think big!
>Release!
-
>Draw in power again. Try to hold even more than before
>Visualize a huge swarm of danmaku. Even if we can't pull that off, may as well think big!
>Release!
>You repeat the process, visualizing a swarm that would make Deva K cry, and...you create five of them! They whizz away in a little cloud.
>"Not bad," says Byakuren.
>_
-
>Try it again. Gotta keep practicing!
>How much range do we appear to be getting on these shots?
>"How much injury do you think this would actually inflict on someone if I hit them with it? I... wouldn't want to hurt someone too much by mistake."
-
>Try it again. Gotta keep practicing!
>How much range do we appear to be getting on these shots?
>"How much injury do you think this would actually inflict on someone if I hit them with it? I... wouldn't want to hurt someone too much by mistake."
>You try it again, with similar results. But it doesn't take as long this time.
>They seem to fly about ten yards or so. Maybe a bit more, it's hard to see when get too far away.
>"Just one of those isn't too bad. Danmaku, in generally, isn't very harmful in the long run. In the short run you can knock people out, or put them in quite a lot of pain. But you'll recover quickly. That said, some people will use this as an excuse to fight over any little thing. I expect you not to be one of those people."
>"When you're ready, I want you to try to aim a shot to your left."
>_
-
>"No, I don't want to hurt anyone. But I'd like to make myself a less easy target. I've already had an oni try to kidnap me, today."
>Visualize a more concentrated stream, and aim it at the indicated location
-
>"No, I don't want to hurt anyone. But I'd like to make myself a less easy target. I've already had an oni try to kidnap me, today."
>Visualize a more concentrated stream, and aim it at the indicated location
>She nods. "I understand."
>You direct your hand to the left, and fire a stream in that direction. It comes easily enough, and you're pleased to see the line is fairly straight.
>"Good," she says, "You're not confined to one position. When you get better, you won't need to project it from your hands."
>_
-
>"Is the hand just a concentration aid, then? Something to give a beginner to focus on?"
>Try projecting one forward without the hand gesture.
-
>"Is the hand just a concentration aid, then? Something to give a beginner to focus on?"
>Try projecting one forward without the hand gesture.
>"The palm is one of the places where mystical energy gathers naturally. So yes, it is easiest there. Once you've advanced sufficiently, it won't be necessary."
>You try again, and end up firing a shot from your palms toward your feet.
>_
-
>"Ah, I see. Well, going to have to work on that one."
>"And I guess the only thing to it at this point is lots of practice. Or do you have any more helpful hints?"
-
>"Ah, I see. Well, going to have to work on that one."
>"And I guess the only thing to it at this point is lots of practice. Or do you have any more helpful hints?"
>"For the time being, I would recommend working on your invocation time. The sooner you can fire, the better. It will help you draw more potential as well. If you want to try firing without your hands, gather the feeling elsewhere. Once you are more skilled, you should be able to automatically gather it throughout yourself without trouble. You can try to project it outside of yourself before forming the shot, and form it outside of yourself."
>"Once you get better, you can try to form different kinds of bullets, and direct them to move in motions that are not straight lines. As you've probably gathered, the heart of Danmaku is misdirection and trickery. No one can create enough to make something truly inescapable. So instead, you must be clever. As well, and equally important, it is a contest of beauty. Simple utilitarian patterns won't carry you far, people unravel them too quickly. It is also a point of pride, for lack of better words. A display of ability. As well, your abilities will affect your danmaku. Right now, you don't have much to draw upon to shape it. But as you learn more, you'll be able to apply it to your danmaku."
>"I hope this isn't too much for you?"
-
>"No, I think I understand what you mean."
>"As for abilities... I've always been able to sense the presence of boundaries. That's sort of a passive thing, and I'm not sure it's relevant, but do you think there's any way I could use that in consort with this?"
-
>nod
>"It makes enough sense, yes. You mentioned I seemed to have an affinity with... barriers and time, right? Do you know what that might imply?"
>examine inventory
-
>"No, I think I understand what you mean."
>"As for abilities... I've always been able to sense the presence of boundaries. That's sort of a passive thing, and I'm not sure it's relevant, but do you think there's any way I could use that in consort with this?"
>"It be useful," says Byakuren. "I couldn't tell you how to use that, though. You'll have to find your own way to do so. Perhaps Reimu could help you?"
>nod
>"It makes enough sense, yes. You mentioned I seemed to have an affinity with... barriers and time, right? Do you know what that might imply?"
>examine inventory
>"It implies you have a fair amount of ability with magic that would involve them. You would learn them more easily than others. But, as I said, you're also quite versatile. You won't achieve a great deal of power, but you should be able to learn many things."
>Your inventory contains
>Mop Hat (worn as Hat)
>Purple Dress (Worn as clothing)
>Branch
>_
-
>"Ah, I see. Do you think you could show me a little about the flying thing now, too? Or have I already imposed on enough of your time? I'm sorry, I'm sure you have other things to be doing, but it's just that this is all so amazing to me."
-
>"Ah, I see. Do you think you could show me a little about the flying thing now, too? Or have I already imposed on enough of your time? I'm sorry, I'm sure you have other things to be doing, but it's just that this is all so amazing to me."
>"Well, a little, But I like you, so I suppose it won't hurt to leave Nazrin and Ichirin to themselves a bit longer. And I think I'm uniquely suited to help with this. Hold out your arms?"
>_
-
>"Thanks."
>Hold out our arms
-
> Think 'Is that so?' in our heads while holding arms out.
-
>"Thanks."
>Hold out our arms
>You follow orders like a well-trained terrier. Byakuren walks behind you.
> Think 'Is that so?' in our heads while holding arms out.
>Why would you think this? It is incredibly sil-Oh god she just grabbed you under the arms and OH GOD YOU'RE FALLING UPSIDE DOWN!
>The ground zooms away from your feet, Byakuren hugging you tightly against herself. She begins to fly in a wide circle.
>"Just close your eyes," she says, talking softly despite the roar of the wind. "Feel the weight slip away from you. Don't let anything pull you down."
>_
-
>take a deep breath, close eyes, relax
, become tanasinn
-
>Close our eyes
>Remember, we're already broken the laws of physics once today. Second time should be even easier. Right?
>Try to visualize ourselves just floating weightless in midair.
-
>take a deep breath, close eyes, relax, become tanasinn
>Close our eyes
>Remember, we're already broken the laws of physics once today. Second time should be even easier. Right?
>Try to visualize ourselves just floating weightless in midair.
>You follow her directions. It's not hard to close your eyes. It keeps you from seeing all the real estate below that will reach up to give you a big kiss if Byakuren's grip slips.
>Once you do, it becomes rather easy to forget that you're so high up. It's kind of relaxing, aside from being forcibly snuggled against Byakuren.
>"Now, hold onto that feeling, and will yourself forward," says Byakuren. "And only forward."
>_
-
>Will yourself forward
>Remember, Byakuren can always catch you, so there's no need to worry...
-
>Will yourself forward
>Remember, Byakuren can always catch you, so there's no need to worry...
>You do so, remind yourself you have the big woman to catch you.
>Your velocity changes, moving forward rather that a circle, and suddenly Byakuren is no longer holding you and oh god this is frightening!
>"Keep going forward!" Byakuren shouts, "Don't stop!"
>_
-
>Keep going. We can do this!
-
>Keep going. We can do this!
>You keep going, and...it doesn't feel like you're falling at all. The wind is rushing through your hair, but not from below.
>"There, you have it," says Byakuren, close to you. "Open your eyes!"
>_
-
>Open eyes
>Remind self not to panic when we see the ground. There's a reason we're still up here, and that's not going to change just because we can see where here is
-
> If R. Kelly can do this, so can we!
> Open eyes without concern for orientation.
-
>Open eyes
>Remind self not to panic when we see the ground. There's a reason we're still up here, and that's not going to change just because we can see where here is
>You open your eyes, and see a lot of clouds. No panicking.
> If R. Kelly can do this, so can we!
> Open eyes without concern for orientation.
>This person will be put to shame.
>"Keep looking that way," says Bykauren, "And tell yourself to slow down, a bit at a time. Until you've stopped."
>_
-
>How fast do we seem to be moving?
>Slow ourself down gently
-
>How fast do we seem to be moving?
>Slow ourself down gently
>It's really hard to tell your speed when there's no landmarks to compare to.
>You slow yourself to a stop, managing to do it smoothly.
>"You've got the basics down," says Byakuren. "The trick is just to get over the fear of falling. Once you can accept the weightlessness in your heart, the rest comes naturally. When you're ready, look down. It won't be a problem for you now. You're not moving at all. You won't start for something like that."
>_
-
>Look down
>Don't panic
-
> Deep breath.
> Look down, look down. Don't look 'em in the eye. Look down, look down, we've got to learn to fly.
-
>Don't panic
>wonder where you left that copy of the Guide
-
>Look down
>Don't panic
> Deep breath.
> Look down, look down. Don't look 'em in the eye. Look down, look down, we've got to learn to fly.
>You take a deep breath, and look down.
>Huh.
>It's kind of like standing on top of a very tall building. Only, without the railing, or the floor beneath. You can see a blue splodge where the ship is, and a hodgepodge of brown shapes not far from it, which must be the village. It's rather pretty. And it doesn't seem to be rushing up toward you.
>wonder where you left that copy of the Guide
>You think you'll miss your Pratchett more.
>_
-
>"Would it be safe for me to try moving, again? The same way I was doing it before?"
-
>"Would it be safe for me to try moving, again? The same way I was doing it before?"
>"You may move any way you like, now," says Byakuren. "Nothing will pull you down unless you let it, and only as long as you let it. When you're ready to land, just approach the ground, and slow down. Don't land too hard, or you'll hurt your legs."
>_
-
>Try floating around gently
>Then, when that feels comfortable, try moving a little faster
>And then, if we feel comfortable with that, let's see how fast we can go
-
>fly around at the same height a little to get more of a feel for it, first.
>"Would flying backwards be safe...?"
>If it comes easily, "... or maybe a loop-the-loop?"
-
>Try floating around gently
>Then, when that feels comfortable, try moving a little faster
>And then, if we feel comfortable with that, let's see how fast we can go
>You try to float around gently. This is a little hard, your motions are kind of jerky.
>Moving faster is easier, you can smoothly adjust you speed more easily like this.
>Then you try for your top speed. You...don't really know what it is, but it feels pretty darn speedy! It's also difficult to keep up for long. You start to run out of breath. But oh god, is it fun!
>fly around at the same height a little to get more of a feel for it, first.
>"Would flying backwards be safe...?"
>If it comes easily, "... or maybe a loop-the-loop?"
>"Of course it is," says Byakuren, "But do be careful unless you have eyes in the back of your head."
>You test it out and it comes easily.
>"You can do them, too. But do be careful. It's easy to lose track of yourself doing that. I wouldn't recommend that you try it close to the ground. Oh, and the tighter the loop, the more likely you'll dizzy yourself.
>_
-
>"This is amazing. Really!"
>Seriously, is this the best day ever, or what?
>"Is there anything else I should be aware of, about this flying thing? Other than the obvious?"
-
>What underwear are we wearing? This may be important in light of recent developments.
-
> Try to slowly descend a little bit. Not too far, just enough to make sure we have control and don't go dropping like a stone.
-
>"This is amazing. Really!"
>Seriously, is this the best day ever, or what?
>"Is there anything else I should be aware of, about this flying thing? Other than the obvious?"
>It really is. You might end up going into a glee coma at this right.
>"Try not to fly too high," she says. "The air gets thin, and won't hold you up anymore. Aside from that, I think you understand the basics well enough."
>What underwear are we wearing? This may be important in light of recent developments.
>Some good white panties...and yeah, you're gonna have to be careful. Thankfully you have a long skirt. Though maybe it's time to consider some petticoats...
> Try to slowly descend a little bit. Not too far, just enough to make sure we have control and don't go dropping like a stone.
>You let yourself descend. It's a little scary at first, and you're very glad you saved it for this far in the course of things, but you think you have it! You're not going to fall any faster than you want to.
>_
-
>Before descending, take in a birds-eye view of this new Gensokyo.
-
>Before descending, take in a birds-eye view of this new Gensokyo.
>You try to get a good view of things. To the north, you see fields that give way to plains and hills. Northwest to west, you see a lot of rough grasslands. Southwest, the grasslands give way to the forest you came from, which dominates the whole southern vista. To the east, you can see another woods not far from town, and mountains in the distance; you think the entrance to Underground is to the Southeast from here.
>You're aware there's likely a lot of fine detail you're missing.
>_
-
>Descend and land, heeding Byakuren's caution about taking the last part of the distance slowly, so as not to injure yourself.
-
>You land not to far away from the ship-cum-temple. Byakuren lands beside you.
>"Now that you understand how to fly, you should be able to take off without much trouble. You have to remove the idea that you should be on the ground from your mind. It can be a little tricky when you're rooted down, but since you have tasted flight, it shouldn't be hard. If you like, I can make you a focus to help with that, as well."
>_
-
>"Sure. If you think it would help, I'd appreciate it."
>What became of that branch we were using earlier, anyway?
-
>"Does that mean I should keep this branch, too?"
>"And another, uh, focus could help, if it wouldn't keep you away too much longer. You've helped me so much already."
-
>"Sure. If you think it would help, I'd appreciate it."
>What became of that branch we were using earlier, anyway?
>"Does that mean I should keep this branch, too?"
>"And another, uh, focus could help, if it wouldn't keep you away too much longer. You've helped me so much already."
>You are still holding the branch. You could really use something to carry stuff in...
>"It won't take but a moment," she says as she kneels down and grabs a rock. She waves a hand over it, chanting while walking along. After a moment, the rock lifts up from her hand and hover about an inch above. She grabs it out of the air and hands it to you. "There, this should help you lift off," she says. "The enchantment will only last a few days, but shouldn't need that long. And you may keep the branch. But, please treat it carefully. It is something of an memento. I would like it back when you are done with it."
>_
-
>Take the stone
>"Thanks very much. And don't worry, I'll take good care of it. Do I need to be holding the branch for it to help? And I assume it's the same principle as with the stone, right? It'll be helpful for a while, and then after that I shouldn't need it anymore?"
>"And then, if you could show me that list of components you mentioned earlier, I'll be out of your hair. Thanks again so much for all of this."
>How large is this branch, anyway?
-
>"I wouldn't want to keep something that important to you unless you really think I'll need the help out there."
>Hmm, didn't Renko have magic-like powers? Maybe she has better odds of being here than we thought...? And would Byakuren be able to guess at what they might imply?
-
>Take the stone
>"Thanks very much. And don't worry, I'll take good care of it. Do I need to be holding the branch for it to help? And I assume it's the same principle as with the stone, right? It'll be helpful for a while, and then after that I shouldn't need it anymore?"
>"And then, if you could show me that list of components you mentioned earlier, I'll be out of your hair. Thanks again so much for all of this."
>How large is this branch, anyway?
>You take the stone. It feels like a normal stone.
>"It may help to hold it. Or it may be better to let it float and watch it. As for the branch, just hold it. But I feel you won't need it too much longer. You're a quick learner!"
>"Ah yes," she says. "Allow me a moment to go fetch it." She disappears into the temple.
>It's about a foot and a half long, and about eight inches wide at the widest point.
>"I wouldn't want to keep something that important to you unless you really think I'll need the help out there."
>Hmm, didn't Renko have magic-like powers? Maybe she has better odds of being here than we thought...? And would Byakuren be able to guess at what they might imply?
>You recall she was a human GPS system. She had an innate ability to tell the position of the stars, even when it was daylight out. This made he a geocaching superstar. As to the implications, you can't say.
>_
-
>Let the rock go and let it float for a little bit. Try hovering at just a few inches to practice while waiting.
-
>Let the rock go and let it float for a little bit. Try hovering at just a few inches to practice while waiting.
>You let go of the rock, and watch it, trying to force yourself to remember the weightlessness from before.
>It takes a little time, but you are able to lift yourself off the ground as Byakuren emerges from the temple, carrying a list. "Oh, very good," she says. "But let me warn you. As far as flight is concerned, you have learned to walk. If you wish to play danmaku, you will have to learn to dance. It will not do to have to slow to a stop, or change directions over a curve. So please do not charge into anything recklessly."
>She hands you a piece of paper. "I will need a star mushroom, some ground ragewort, a geode, and some high quality bloodmoss. The mushroom should be available in the Forest of Magic. The ragewort will requite an herbalist, I am certain the one in the village will not have it. The geode, I am not sure where you would find it. I petitioned the faeries the last time I needed one, which was quite a long time ago. The bloodmoss grows in caves. I've included rough sketches for you.
>"As well, I would like you to assist Murasa, if you find yourself underground again. She is currently in charge of the clinic we run there. And make sure she is actually carrying out her duties and not partying with the oni."
>_
-
>Take the note
>"Thank you very much. And no, I don't intend to try and provoke any incidents, don't worry. I'll make sure to drop in on Murasa the next time I'm down that way. And now to practice and explore some more. Thanks again."
-
>Give the big girl a hug for being so wonderful.
-
>Take the note
>"Thank you very much. And no, I don't intend to try and provoke any incidents, don't worry. I'll make sure to drop in on Murasa the next time I'm down that way. And now to practice and explore some more. Thanks again."
>You obtain: Ingredient List
>"You are welcome, Maribel," she says, inclining her head toward you.
>_
-
>Give the big girl a hug for being so wonderful.
-
> Ponder which material would be the best to begin our fetch quest toward, given Byakuren's description of them
-
>Belay further questfetching until after seeing Reimu. We should be more than safe enough on that route now, and if she's the lead problem-solver around here, she should know about us. And Renko.
-
> Ponder which material would be the best to begin our fetch quest toward, given Byakuren's description of them
>Hey, you're lucky she's probably not gonna charge you for the service.
>You have no idea which would be best. You've been active for part of a day.
>Belay further questfetching until after seeing Reimu. We should be more than safe enough on that route now, and if she's the lead problem-solver around here, she should know about us. And Renko.
>Hopefully you won't have too rough of a time getting to Reimu's place now.
>_
-
>Give the big girl a hug for being so wonderful.
-
>Give the big girl a hug for being so wonderful.
>Before Byakuren vanishes, you give her a hug. Damn, that's a lot of torso. It's like hugging a tree. Only a lot softer and warmer.
>She chuckles and hugs you back the best she can. "You be good now," she says.
>_
-
>"I will. Thank you so much, Byakuren."
>Disengage.
>Do we know where the Hakurei shrine is? If not, ask. If we do, wave and head off.
-
>"I will. Thank you so much, Byakuren."
>Disengage.
>Do we know where the Hakurei shrine is? If not, ask. If we do, wave and head off.
>You answer and let her go.
>You remember Keine saying it was east of the village, so likely in that forest you saw.
>_
-
>"I think I'll go meet Reimu. She might know some more about my situation. I'll probably see you again later, Byakuren."
>wave and head off to the shrine! Or at least, where it probably is.
>Try flying low and slow for practice, while the ground's flat and there's nothing to hide behind. Unless it's tiring.
-
>"I think I'll go meet Reimu. She might know some more about my situation. I'll probably see you again later, Byakuren."
>wave and head off to the shrine! Or at least, where it probably is.
>Try flying low and slow for practice, while the ground's flat and there's nothing to hide behind. Unless it's tiring.
>"Good luck," she says, as you head southward.
>You are able to fly low without too much difficulty, but keeping a consistent walking pace is a little difficult. You pass by Shou's Clothes again and come back to the crossroads near the tavern, then head east. As you do, you pass by the school again, as well as an herbalist, a bakery, a blacksmith, and a few other shops. Soon you reach the eastern outskirts of town. Up ahead is an old-looking forest. It doesn't seem so dense as the forest you were in earlier. Obvious exits are east and west.
>_
-
>Look for the path Keine mentioned, and follow it to the shrine.
-
>Look for the path Keine mentioned, and follow it to the shrine.
>You find a path rather easily, and follow it. The path is not a very good one, though. It's overgrowth, and has a bit of fallen debris on it. You get the sense that no one uses it very much. Still, there are some old footprints here and there. Along the way, you also here a fair amount of noise from the forest, the sounds of insects and animals and such. It's rather noisy for such a secluded place.
>"Hey you!" calls out a high-pitched voice from the trees, as you round a corner. "What's the past word!"
>_
-
> "Please?"
-
> "Please?"
>You decide to give it a shot. Perhaps mysterious voices are part of the whole shrine thing?
>"Uh...maybe?" answers the voice.
>_
-
> "Pretty Please"
-
>Look for the voice. This sounds like a fairy.
-
> "Pretty Please"
>"Don't you try to sweet talk me!" the voice answers.
>Look for the voice. This sounds like a fairy.
>You look around and find her. A green-haired faerie in a slim gown, sitting in the branches of a tree.
>_
-
>We're a lot more prepared this time. Let's chat! Just try and stay polite, like Keine suggested.
>"Ah, I'm sorry, then. What's the past word?"
-
>We're a lot more prepared this time. Let's chat! Just try and stay polite, like Keine suggested.
>"Ah, I'm sorry, then. What's the past word?"
>"Wait, how'd you find out about it?" says the faerie, "Did Dai send you!?"
>_
-
>...of course that's the "past word". Mental facepalm.
-
>...of course that's the "past word". Mental facepalm.
>You have no idea what is going on here any more, but you think you are starting to understand why faeries are dangerous.
>"Hey, you got anything to eat? Like cucumbers? I could do with one of those!"
>_
-
>"I'm afraid not. Isn't it kappa that like cucumbers?"
-
>"I'm afraid not. Isn't it kappa that like cucumbers?"
>"I'm allowed to like cucumbers too, you know! Jerk!"
>_
-
>Give her a small bow.
>"My apologies. I like them too. Just a little surprised that you asked me."
-
>Give her a small bow.
>"My apologies. I like them too. Just a little surprised that you asked me."
>"Oh. Well. Fine then. You should know better."
>Judging from the way she's crossed her arms, she still feels affronted.
>_
-
>"I really should, after traveling a little."
>For some definitions of 'little.'
>"I heard this is the way to Reimu's shrine?"
-
>"I really should, after traveling a little."
>For some definitions of 'little.'
>"I heard this is the way to Reimu's shrine?"
>"Shrine? Oh yeah, there's a shrine here. ...Wait. You're not gonna give the Shrine Maiden a hard time, are you?"
>_
-
> "Uh... I wasn't planning on it. Why?"
-
> "Uh... I wasn't planning on it. Why?"
>"Because if you give her a hard time I'll set your bed on fire! And see if I won't!"
>_
-
> "No, I don't even want to give her any trouble, I just wish to speak with her, that's all."
> "Ummm, I am sorry if I am being rude, but what is your name?"
-
> "No, I don't even want to give her any trouble, I just wish to speak with her, that's all."
> "Ummm, I am sorry if I am being rude, but what is your name?"
>"You better not, or I'll put mice in your house, and see if I don't!" She shakes a tiny fist in your direction.
>"I'm Plum Flower! Who're you? Are you Iji? You look like an Iji."
>_
-
> "My name is Maribel, and I'm sorry, but I do not know what an Iji is."
-
> "Iji? Isn't that a modo?"
-
> "My name is Maribel, and I'm sorry, but I do not know what an Iji is."
>"Oh. Okay!"
> "Iji? Isn't that a modo?"
>"Just because cats eat catnip doesn't mean you should! ...I think. Maybe they're onto something? ...Naw."
>_
-
>"Well, it was nice meeting you. Have a nice day!"
>Continue on to the shrine
-
>"Well, it was nice meeting you. Have a nice day!"
>Continue on to the shrine
>"You too!" she says.
>You continue on down the path, trying not to catch your foot on anything. It would be insanely embarrassing to somehow trip in midair. "Waaaaaaaaaaaait!" cries the faerie from behind, her voice getting closer, "You didn't say the past word!"
>_
-
> "What? Of course I did."
-
> "What? Of course I did."
>"Are you trying to wind me up? You better not be! What was it then, smarty?"
>_
-
>"All of the words I already said are 'past words', aren't they? Since they were words said in the past. You know how that works, right?"
-
>"How do I know you're not tricking me? You should tell me the past word first so that when I tell you the past word I would know you're not just saying it's not the word even when it's right!"
-
>"All of the words I already said are 'past words', aren't they? Since they were words said in the past. You know how that works, right?"
>"Yeah but it's gotta be the right one!"
>"How do I know you're not tricking me? You should tell me the past word first so that when I tell you the past word I would know you're not just saying it's not the word even when it's right!"
>She catches up with you, hovering in front of you now.
>She frowns, crossing her arms, and looks down toward the ground. "Are you sure that'd work? It'd seems like it'd go awry..."
>_
-
>"Hey, can it hurt to try?"
-
>"I'm not a satori, I can't read minds. What if I told you the right past word, and you decide to change the past word, so that the past word said that should be right becomes wrong? That would be unfair to me. However, if you have told me the past word in advance, if I am able to tell you the right past word, then even if you said it was wrong I would know that it is the right past word."
-
>"I'm not a satori, I can't read minds. What if I told you the right past word, and you decide to change the past word, so that the past word said that should be right becomes wrong? That would be unfair to me. However, if you have told me the past word in advance, if I am able to tell you the right past word, then even if you said it was wrong I would know that it is the right past word."
>"Hey, can it hurt to try?"
>"Hmmmm..." she rubs her chin. "Okay! It's clouds."
>_
-
>"Ok, ask me again, now."
>After she asks: "Clouds."
-
>"Ok, ask me again, now."
>After she asks: "Clouds."
>"What's the past word?"
>You tell her. She narrows her eyes.
>"What kind?"
>_
-
>"Hey, that's cheating! You said the past word was clouds. You're not allowed to change it in mid-question."
-
>"Hey, that's cheating! You said the past word was clouds. You're not allowed to change it in mid-question."
>"I didn't say that," Plum Flower replies, drawing herself straight up, her tone indignant. "When'd I say that? I didn't say that. And you never asked what kind anyways."
>_
-
>"Ok, what kind?"
-
>"Ok, what kind?"
>"The kind that'll set your bed on fire if you give the Shrine Maiden a hard time!" she answers, giving you an unexpectedly cross look.
>_
-
>"That's.... a strange kind of cloud. I don't think I've ever seen one like that before..."
>"And, you know, if you're worried I'll give her a hard time, you can always come with me and keep an eye on me to make sure I don't."
-
>"That's.... a strange kind of cloud. I don't think I've ever seen one like that before..."
>"And, you know, if you're worried I'll give her a hard time, you can always come with me and keep an eye on me to make sure I don't."
>"They're pretty specialized." She nods sagely.
>"Oh no, I couldn't!" she says, blushing deeply. "She'd see me and chase me off!"
>_
-
>"Oh, you sound like you're quite a cloud expert. I'm sorry I didn't know of them. I hope you won't hold my ignorance against me."
-
>"Oh, you sound like you're quite a cloud expert. I'm sorry I didn't know of them. I hope you won't hold my ignorance against me."
>"...Okay." She nods. "That's fine."
>_
-
>"Thanks. And don't worry, I'll make sure that those clouds won't have any reason to bother me."
>Wave goodbye and attempt to leave
-
>"Thanks. And don't worry, I'll make sure that those clouds won't have any reason to bother me."
>Wave goodbye and attempt to leave
>"Better not!"
>You wave goodbye and try to extricate yourself from the faerie's presence. She doesn't seem to be following you this time.
>Up ahead, you can see a distinctive red torii, which suggests you are close to your goal.
>_
-
>Continue onward to the shrine
-
>Continue onward to the shrine
>You continue onward and enter the shrine grounds.
>The shrine is quite old-looking, and rather shabby. It's not very large, either. Probably about the size of a one-person house. But, despite its run-down nature, it is rather attractive. Thinking on it, newness would make it feel a little fake. Still, it wouldn't hurt to replace some of that paper. The grounds themselves are rather overgrown, but not quite to the point where they would be difficult to walk through. Behind the shrine, you can see a large pond, and a short distance past that, the beginnings of the mountain range. Obvious exits are West, East 1 and East 2
>You see the shrine maiden hanging up clothes near on a line near the shrine; a mid-sized woman with dark hair and a large red bow. Her red garb gives her away pretty quickly, even though the detached sleeves are hardly a standard.
>_
>_
-
>Walk towards the shrine maiden
>"Good morning, there!"
>We never did get her name, did we?
-
> We did get her name, Keine told us.
-
>Walk towards the shrine maiden
>"Good morning, there!"
>We never did get her name, did we?
>You settle down and walk toward her. It doesn't take long for her to hear your approach and look your direction. Her face sours instance.
>"I suppose it was too much to hope that I could go a day withou-" she pauses, puts her laundry down, and approaches. "Wait a minute. Who are you? Is this some kind of joke? It's not funny."
>You think Keine mentioned it, but it's a little hard to recall, what with her giving you the evil eye at the moment.
>_
-
> Sadface.
> "Why have so many people had that reaction to me today? I don't even know any of you!"
-
> Sadface.
> "Why have so many people had that reaction to me today? I don't even know any of you!"
>"Sounds like you got some explaining to do," she says, her expression softening, but still suspicious.
>_
-
>"Ok, well in a nutshell, I'm not from this Gensokyo. I'm from what you call outside. I woke up in the Palace of the Earth Spirits this morning."
>"I hear you're one of the people to talk to about these sorts of things."
-
>"Ok, well in a nutshell, I'm not from this Gensokyo. I'm from what you call outside. I woke up in the Palace of the Earth Spirits this morning."
>"I hear you're one of the people to talk to about these sorts of things."
>"Doesn't explain as much as I would hope," says Reimu. "But, it's something. So. You want to go home, right?"
>_
-
>"Um, well... not immediately. I really want to explore a lot more of this place, first. But I'd like to know how going home would work, for the future."
-
>"Well... I'm not sure. The stuff I've seen in Gensokyo is what I've been looking for my entire life. And, Byakuren Hijiri in the temple, she even showed me how to shoot danmaku and fly! It's just so incredible, I don't know if I want to leave; yet, at least. And on top of that, I'm still worried my friend Renko ended up here as well."
>"But, I do want to know if I have the option of going home."
-
>"Um, well... not immediately. I really want to explore a lot more of this place, first. But I'd like to know how going home would work, for the future."
>"Huh, alright."
>"Well... I'm not sure. The stuff I've seen in Gensokyo is what I've been looking for my entire life. And, Byakuren Hijiri in the temple, she even showed me how to shoot danmaku and fly! It's just so incredible, I don't know if I want to leave; yet, at least. And on top of that, I'm still worried my friend Renko ended up here as well."
>"But, I do want to know if I have the option of going home."
>She nods along. "Oh, you met Biggun? At least she showed you the basics. Don't get too attached to that stuff, though. Once you leave, it probably won't work. As for that friend, I've not heard of anyone else showing up. But I'm usually not up on the latest gossip."
>"Anyways? If I were going to send you home, I'd probably just ask Yukari to help out. You don't know about Yukari, do you?"
>_
-
>"I don't think so. Who's she?"
-
>"I don't think so. Who's she?"
>"She's a youkai. Terribly powerful, constant pain in my ass. And you look pretty much a whole lot like her. I thought you were her, at first."
>_
-
> "Do I necessarily have to leave? I mean, this place has been dangerous, but it's also been pretty fantastic. I do have the option of staying if I so desire, right?"
-
>"And she's the one to talk to about getting outside of here, is she?"
>Do we remember Utsuho asking us if we were related to a Yukari a couple days ago, or is that lost in the fuzz?
-
> "I'll take that as a compliment then" :)
> "Do you know where I might find her? Or at least someone who does know where to find her?"
-
> "Do I necessarily have to leave? I mean, this place has been dangerous, but it's also been pretty fantastic. I do have the option of staying if I so desire, right?"
>"I'm sure not going to kick you out," she says.
>"And she's the one to talk to about getting outside of here, is she?"
>Do we remember Utsuho asking us if we were related to a Yukari a couple days ago, or is that lost in the fuzz?
>"Well, I wouldn't recommend just going up to her and asking," says the Shrine Maiden. "She's...unpredictable."
>That does sound kind of familiar, now that you mention it.
> "I'll take that as a compliment then" :)
> "Do you know where I might find her? Or at least someone who does know where to find her?"
>"If she overhears it, you better take it as a compliment.
>"You sure you want to do that?"
>_
-
>"Well, if you don't recommend going and talking to her, what do you recommend? Just leave that bit to you?"
-
>"Well, if you don't recommend going and talking to her, what do you recommend? Just leave that bit to you?"
>"Yeah, maybe," says Reimu. She shakes her head. "To be honest, I don't want to deal with her either. It's not that Yukari is bad, exactly. Well...she kinda is. It's more like she's probably going to take an interest in you. Which, uh, isn't a good thing. Either she's going to toy with you or generally make you life a pain. Trust me."
>_
-
>"You sound like you speak from personal experience, there."
>"And where WOULD I find her, if I decide to risk it?"
>"And is she the only real way out of here, anyway?"
-
>"You sound like you speak from personal experience, there."
>"And where WOULD I find her, if I decide to risk it?"
>"And is she the only real way out of here, anyway?"
>"I do," she says, darkly. "She doesn't keep her hands to herself, either."
>"Well, alright, you know that crossroad with the pond, south of town? Go east from there. You'll find this little house. That's her summer home. Well, she pretty much stays there all year around now. But yeah."
>"I'll be honest?" says Reimu, "I never had a reason to look for a way out. There might be something else, though as far as I can tell the barrier's holding up as well as ever. I suppose I could try to exorcise you. But that might make a hole or something."
>_
-
>"Exorcise me? Hey, I'm still quite human over here. And does no one else ever end up in this place?"
>"And do you have any other advice for a newcomer?"
-
>"Exorcise me? Hey, I'm still quite human over here. And does no one else ever end up in this place?"
>"And do you have any other advice for a newcomer?"
>"Yeah, but you're from elsewhere, so maybe it'll work. And, it happens, but it's pretty rare. You're the first I've seen to end up here by accident."
>"Uh, if you go to the bamboo forest, be ready to get pretty lost. Oh, and if you see a green haired Youkai with an umbrella, be really polite. And don't mess with any flowers, she's a flower youkai."
>_
-
>"You're the second person to warn me about this green-haired lady. She must be pretty scary."
>"Do you not get many visitors out here, by the way? For a shrine, it doesn't seem like the place gets a lot of traffic."
-
>"You're the second person to warn me about this green-haired lady. She must be pretty scary."
>"Do you not get many visitors out here, by the way? For a shrine, it doesn't seem like the place gets a lot of traffic."
>"Her name's Yuka, and she is if you annoy her. Oh, and there's a mansion to the south of the forest. A vampire lives there. The people there are mostly alright, but be careful. They might not even let you in if you don't have a good reason to be there."
>"Mostly youkai," she says. "And too much of that being Yukari. It's peaceful out here, though. I like it. Though it would be nice if more people visited, donations are always pretty thin."
>_
-
>"Oh, and there's something Byakuren said I should talk to you about instead of her; you see, I've always been able to sense the presence of boundaries."
-
> "I wish I could offer you something but...um...I was robbed. By a very imposing person. It sucked. Speaking of which, is there any good way to get spare change around here?"
-
> "I wish I could offer you something but...um...I was robbed. By a very imposing person. It sucked. Speaking of which, is there any good way to get spare change around here?"
>She shrugs. "I dunno. I just live off what donations I get. Go beat up a rich youkai?"
>"Oh, and there's something Byakuren said I should talk to you about instead of her; you see, I've always been able to sense the presence of boundaries."
>"...What?"
>_
-
>Explain our ability to sense boundaries. Again. ;_;
-
>Explain our ability to sense boundaries. Again. ;_;
>You're getting really used to this.
>There is a heavy silence in the air for a moment, before Reimu says, "So. You're a Yukari lookalike. And you can sense barriers like Hakurei."
>She looks upward, toward the sky and mutters something. It sounds suspiciously like "What? What did I ever do to?"
>She then looks back toward you again. "Well, I guess that means you have the right stuff to be a shrine maiden, doesn't it? So what do you want me to do about it?"
>_
-
>"Do you mean that can sense boundaries in a similar way?"
>"And... is there anything you could teach me, maybe? I'm eager to learn whatever I can from this place."
-
>"Do you mean that can sense boundaries in a similar way?"
>"And... is there anything you could teach me, maybe? I'm eager to learn whatever I can from this place."
>She nods. "Part of the bloodline. And...do I have to? It'd be a pain."
>_
-
>"Well, I'm not going to push you, but I'd really, really like to learn whatever you might be able to tell me."
>"Maybe there's something I could do for you in return?"
-
>"Well, I'm not going to push you, but I'd really, really like to learn whatever you might be able to tell me."
>"Maybe there's something I could do for you in return?"
>"Okay, tell you what," says Reimu. "I'll show you some basics. But, I want you to and give Komachi a good kick for me. There's been too many weird flowers lately. Deal?"
>_
-
>"Might help if I knew who this Komachi person is. And I hope the kick is only metaphorical, since I'm under the distinct impression that most everything here can kick my ass if it chose to. But I'm certainly more than happy to deliver a message for you, if you give me directions."
>"So... where do we start?"
-
>"Might help if I knew who this Komachi person is. And I hope the kick is only metaphorical, since I'm under the distinct impression that most everything here can kick my ass if it chose to. But I'm certainly more than happy to deliver a message for you, if you give me directions."
>"So... where do we start?"
>"Start by getting a bath in the pond back there," she says, as she has a seat over by the shrine's porch. "while you tell me what you know. You know anything about barriers? At all? Or magic?"
>_
-
>Walk towards the pond
>"Um, why do I need to get a bath in this, anyway?"
>"And I don't know how much you know about the outside world, but magic... isn't something most people believe even exists, there. I've spent a long time looking for things like it, but... I can't say I know much about how it actually works. Byakuren said I was a quick learner, though."
>Presumably our knowledge of barriers in the sense she means is similarly impoverished?
-
>Walk towards the pond
>"Um, why do I need to get a bath in this, anyway?"
>"And I don't know how much you know about the outside world, but magic... isn't something most people believe even exists, there. I've spent a long time looking for things like it, but... I can't say I know much about how it actually works. Byakuren said I was a quick learner, though."
>Presumably our knowledge of barriers in the sense she means is similarly impoverished?
>"Because you smell like you took a wrong turn in the way to the Ancient City and ended up in the bat warren," says Reimu. "Also, when you start getting into spiritual stuff, purity is important. Cleanliness is the first step toward it. Don't worry about the dress, I have a robe you can borrow."
>She nods as you explain your understanding of magic. Your understanding of barriers is indeed pretty weak.
>"No one really knows how magic works," says Reimu. "We know how to make it work, but not why it does or how. It's probably better than way. Really, I just wanna know your practical experience. If Biggun's taught you a couple things, I guess you at least know what it feels like when you get it right."
>_
-
>"Uh, yeah, I really DID end up in a bat warren down there, actually... Been such a busy day, I almost forget. Sorry."
>Go take a bath
>"As for practical experience, I've flown for a bit, and shot some basic danmaku. Nothing much by anyone here's standards, I'm sure."
-
>"Uh, yeah, I really DID end up in a bat warren down there, actually... Been such a busy day, I almost forget. Sorry."
>Go take a bath
>"As for practical experience, I've flown for a bit, and shot some basic danmaku. Nothing much by anyone here's standards, I'm sure."
>"Or just trying to forget."
>You remove your clothes, which is already uncomfortable even if Reimu's not really watching you, and step into the pond. It's clean water, thankfully, though somewhat cold. The mud on the bottom squishes between your your toes, making cleaning your feet a lost cause. Reimu tosses you a rag.
>"You have to start somewhere. Danmaku's easy stuff, but it's a good place to start. As for barriers, you have to keep in mind what they mean. It's not just a wall keeping something from you. It's about separating things.You have to have a clear concept of what is on one side of the barrier, and what is on the other. The more correct is is that those things are separate, the better your barrier will be. Now, the trick is you define everything in involved in as strong of a difference as you can. Human and god, hot and cold, life and death, and so on. The more strongly you believe it, the easier your barrier will come to you. Got it? Oh, and don't try to be sneaky about it and focus on something minor. The more fully what you're separating is embodied by the terms you're using, the better."
>_
-
>"So, the strength of a barrier is based on how distinctly I can visualize and conceptualize how the inside and outside are different?"
>"Would that make it impossible to create a barrier with any strength at an arbitrary point in space? Or can one create a barrier between 'me and you', for example?"
>Keep cleaning
-
>"So, the strength of a barrier is based on how distinctly I can visualize and conceptualize how the inside and outside are different?"
>"Would that make it impossible to create a barrier with any strength at an arbitrary point in space? Or can one create a barrier between 'me and you', for example?"
>Keep cleaning
>"That'll work," says Reimu. "But that's just two individual things. The more broad and wide-reaching it is, the better. Me and You is alright. Resident and Outsider may be better. It depends on the strength of your convictions. Faith is important in these kinds of things.
>You've nearly finished washing yourself off. It wouldn't be so bad if not for the fact you're pretty sure Reimu is sneaking peeks in the middle of her lecture while you're occupied with other things.
>_
-
>"Ah, I see. Or at least, I think I understand a little. What else is involved in actually creating a barrier, though? I assume there's more to it than just concentrating on some kind of difference, right?"
-
>"That's the kind of thought that goes behind it," says Reimu. "As for the actual lifting, focus yourself, kinda like you do for danmaku, and direct your thoughts like I told you to. Shape it like you want it. Once you feel you got it. Use your hands to trace it out. Give it a shot, try making a barrier between water and sky in front of you."
>_
-
>Focus on the sense of power we used earlier today. Draw it out.
>Visualize the distinctness between water and sky. How they are inherently and naturally separated.
>Imagine a barrier reinforcing this distinctiveness. Give it form
>Draw it with our hands
-
>Focus on the sense of power we used earlier today. Draw it out.
>Visualize the distinctness between water and sky. How they are inherently and naturally separated.
>Imagine a barrier reinforcing this distinctiveness. Give it form
>Draw it with our hands
>You try to focus. It's a bit harder without your Branch, and takes longer, but you manage to do it.
>Holding onto the feeling as well as you can, you try to focus on separation of water and sky. Then you picture the barrier in your mind, and draw it out. You feel that sense of warmth flow through you.
>Looking in front of you, you see a small, purple rectangle about the size of a hardback book in the water in front of you. It doesn't float or bob in the water, despite the ripples kicked up by your motions.
>"Hey, that's not bad," says Reimu. "That's not bad at all." She takes to the air and flies over to have a look at it, making you feel a bit uncomfortable in your current state.
>_
-
>Try poking the barrier
-
>Try poking the barrier
>You poke it. It doesn't move. You feel, with some effort, you could push through it.
>Unfortunately, it vanishes before you can test that hypothesis.
>"Make another one," says Reimu, hovering a couple feet from you.
>_
-
>Repeat the same process. See if we can pour a little more power into it, this time
-
>Repeat the same process. See if we can pour a little more power into it, this time
>You try it again, trying to pour a little more strength into it.
>The resulting barrier is the same as before, but you feel it should last a second longer.
>Reimu leans over in midair, and taps it. "Not bad, not bad," Then she gives it a punch, and the barrier breaks with a crystalline noise. "This is impressive for a beginner," she says, looking over at you. "Do you have some youkai in your bloodline or something?"
>You really don't feel comfortable with Reimu being this close to you while you aren't wearing anything.
>_
-
>Duck a little further down into the water, for modesty's sake
>"Humans can have youkai ancestors?"
-
>Duck a little further down into the water, for modesty's sake
>"Humans can have youkai ancestors?"
>You try to duck down til the water reaches your chin. But given how clear it is, you don't think it's going to offer that much protection.
>"It happens," she says. "Not very often, but it happens. Mind you, with the way things are going these days, I expect more of 'em to pop up any time now. There's a shopkeeper in the forest who's half youkai. You got any ancestors that lived for a couple centuries?"
>_
-
You got any ancestors that lived for a couple centuries?"
>...do we?
-
>Do we?
>Inform her of the answer to the above question
>Try to see if it's possible to create a barrier between naked and clothed
-
> "Ancestors that what?"
-
>...do we?
>If you do, they've done a very good job of hiding it. And not cleaning up in long term, high yield investments.
> "Ancestors that what?"
>"That lived a couple centuries. If Rinnosuke's a typical example, it'd be a dead giveaway."
>Do we?
>Inform her of the answer to the above question
>Try to see if it's possible to create a barrier between naked and clothed
>"Its a thought," she says. "You're a natural, I suppose. Wonder what kind of youkai you'll end up being?"
>You think you could, but you don't feel it'd be very sturdy.
>_
-
>"What kind of youkai I'll end up being? Do you think that's a forgone conclusion or something?"
-
>"What kind of youkai I'll end up being? Do you think that's a forgone conclusion or something?"
>"If it's coming to you this easily, it seems pretty likely, doesn't it?" says Reimu.
>_
-
>"Well, uh, I wouldn't know. I've never even met a youkai before today, to the best of my knowledge."
-
>"Well, uh, I wouldn't know. I've never even met a youkai before today, to the best of my knowledge."
>"Oh, right," she says. She sits up in mid-air and sits cross-legged. "I'll bet Biggun already gave you an earful about it, and how you shouldn't worry and it'll be great. All I can say is she'd be mostly right. But, it happens more easily to some people than others. Those gifted in magic, especially. All I can say is moderation in all things. Don't get too obsessed with power, and try not to lose control of yourself. Oh! And there's some things you might want to think twice about touching. Like Alice's Grimoire. That'd do it in a second for sure."
>She shrugs. "Maybe I'm being too cautious. My job's to keep youkai from causing problems. Well, if you do end up one, don't cause problems and it'll be okay. But yeah, keep away from that Grimoire."
>_
-
>Add Quest:Touch Alice's Precious Thing
-
>"Alice? That wouldn't be Alice Margatroid, by any chance? Keine mentioned her as someone who might be able to teach me a little about her branch of magic. Could a book really be powerful enough to change someone into a youkai just from touching it?"
>"And don't worry. I'm not the problem causing type."
>"And... uh, you're still human, right?"
-
>Add Quest:Touch Alice's Precious Thing
>You can't get your voice nearly that high.
>"Alice? That wouldn't be Alice Margatroid, by any chance? Keine mentioned her as someone who might be able to teach me a little about her branch of magic. Could a book really be powerful enough to change someone into a youkai just from touching it?"
>"And don't worry. I'm not the problem causing type."
>"And... uh, you're still human, right?"
>"That's the one. And, well, maybe not touching it, but opening it for sure. I'm certain that's what happened to her, anyways. I'd play it safe.
>"Oh good. It's nice to see someone with they're head screwed on straight."
>"Of course I am," she says quickly, "I'm a shrine maiden!"
>_
-
>"Are they mutually exclusive or something? I mean, you say that because I'm a quick study at this, I may have a high chance of becoming a youkai. Yet, you also said that this barrier business is a shrine maiden shtick, and I hear you're very powerful yourself. Yet, you're human."
-
>"Are they mutually exclusive or something? I mean, you say that because I'm a quick study at this, I may have a high chance of becoming a youkai. Yet, you also said that this barrier business is a shrine maiden shtick, and I hear you're very powerful yourself. Yet, you're human."
>"Yeah," she says, "But I've been doing it since about the time I could read katakana," she says. "You're looking at years of skill, here. Also purifications and stuff."
>_
-
>"Purifications? To stave off youkai-ness or something? Or did I misunderstand?"
>"Any other tips for me, about this barrier stuff?"
-
> "Man, I really hope turn into a youkai by accident or something, I rather like who I am..."
-
>"Purifications? To stave off youkai-ness or something? Or did I misunderstand?"
>"Any other tips for me, about this barrier stuff?"
>"It's not stave off so much as remove the aspects that would cause it. You gotta remember, the way you think about these kinds of things are important. Problem is, in your case, a lot of it won't go away. So you have to be careful."
>_
-
>"Well, I'll definitely keep it in mind."
>"And, uh, about that change of clothes you mentioned..."
-
>"Well, I'll definitely keep it in mind."
>"And, uh, about that change of clothes you mentioned..."
>"Oh, right, let me get you a towel.
>She flies and vanishes into the shrine. A moment later she comes out with a red bundle, with a towel on top, and places it by the bank. "I'll toss your dress in with the next load of laundry," she says. "It ought to be done by the time you're finished with Komachi."
>_
-
>"Yeah, I was just about to ask about that. Who is this Komachi person, and where can I find her?"
-
>"Yeah, I was just about to ask about that. Who is this Komachi person, and where can I find her?"
>"Way to the north, you'll find the Sanzu river," says Reimu. "Komachi runs the ferry there. You'll like her. Tall pretty girl, red hair, very laid back. Yell at her until she stops being so laid back about her job."
>_
-
>"... Sanzu river?"
>What do we know about this from legends?
>"Is she at all dangerous? How should I go about... yelling at her?"
-
>"... Sanzu river?"
>What do we know about this from legends?
>"Is she at all dangerous? How should I go about... yelling at her?"
>"That's the one," says Reimu.
>You think you've heard of it. It goes to the land of the dead, doesn't it?
>"Only if you're really obnoxious," says Reimu. "She's a big cream puff. So just be direct."
>_
-
>"Doesn't that river go to the land of the dead, or something like that? At least, that's what legends in my world said..."
>if so, "Then, I'm guessing that isn't as dangerous as it sounds?"
-
> Inspect new clothes.
-
>"Doesn't that river go to the land of the dead, or something like that? At least, that's what legends in my world said..."
>if so, "Then, I'm guessing that isn't as dangerous as it sounds?"
>"Sure does," she says. "Well, really to Higan. But that's close enough."
>"As long as you don't fall in. It's got some big nasties in it."
> Inspect new clothes.
>It seems to be a short red robe and a set of hakama pants.
>_
-
> How clean do we feel?
> If we feel clean enough to leave the water, grab the towel (keeping it out of the water) and use it to cover and dry ourselves as we get out of the pond.
-
>"Alright, I'll see what I can do."
>If clean, get dressed again. Once decent, tell Reimu about Renko.
-
>"Alright, I'll see what I can do."
>If clean, get dressed again. Once decent, tell Reimu about Renko.
bout> How clean do we feel?
> If we feel clean enough to leave the water, grab the towel (keeping it out of the water) and use it to cover and dry ourselves as we get out of the pond.
>You think you've gotten the main benefits you're going to get out of this. At least you don't feel grimy anymore! You probably went for two days without a bath, anyways. Mostly you've just been talking with Reimu.
>You extricate yourself from the lake, and set to trying yourself off. Reimu politely turns her back, but you have the sneaking suspicion she's still stealing peeks when you're not looking. Maybe you're just paranoid? It takes a little bit to get the mud off your feet, you had to wipe it off on the grass.
>Afterward, you put on your new clothes. They are made of light cloth, you're not sure what it is, and are a bit moth-eaten. But they fit well enough, save the hakama being a bit short in the legs and tight around your waist.
>"There, now people ought to not mistake you for Yukari so much," says Reimu with a smile.
>You tell her a little about Renko. "Never heard of her," says Reimu.
>_
-
>"Thanks so much, again."
>"While I'm at it, though, I don't suppose you have any idea where I could find a geode? Or a cave with high quality bloodmoss, for that matter?"
-
>"That doesn't surprise me. She's from the outside world, too, and I get the feeling she might have ended up here, too. If you do see or hear about her, let me know. Or have any ideas where it might be good to look for her, after I've visited Komachi."
>"For the future, is there anything you'd recommend for trying to talk with that 'Yukari' person? It sounds like I may want to speak with her eventually, but I'm not sure how to prepare for that."
>Make sure we have Byakuren's branch.
-
> When Reimu's not looking, check chest for usual growths.
-
>"Thanks so much, again."
>"While I'm at it, though, I don't suppose you have any idea where I could find a geode? Or a cave with high quality bloodmoss, for that matter?"
>"Is a geode some magician thing? And, I guess if you're looking for a cave, you're looking for underground."
>"That doesn't surprise me. She's from the outside world, too, and I get the feeling she might have ended up here, too. If you do see or hear about her, let me know. Or have any ideas where it might be good to look for her, after I've visited Komachi."
>"For the future, is there anything you'd recommend for trying to talk with that 'Yukari' person? It sounds like I may want to speak with her eventually, but I'm not sure how to prepare for that."
>Make sure we have Byakuren's branch.
>"Well, not around here, I guess. As for Komachi, I guess you don't have to get right on that immediately, if you have other important things to do. Just get it done sometime today."
>"Okay. First off, be nice. And be ready for her to act weird. Especially with you. And, uh, don't be surprised if she doesn't keep her hands to herself. Or says weird things. She can be like that."
>You make sure to claim all of your former items from your Purple Dress before Reimu takes it.
> When Reimu's not looking, check chest for usual growths.
>They're still there. Maybe not in Utsuho's league, but you've at least got Renko beat.
>_
-
>"Do you think there might be a reason I look like Yukari?"
-
>"Do you think there might be a reason I look like Yukari?"
>"Heaven hates me, maybe?" she says, shrugging.
>_
-
>"But if she's the only one that can get through the barrier, and you think I might have some sort of youkai ancestry..."
>Did any of our maternal (grand)parents vanish mysteriously or get adopted from unknown parents?
-
> "Oh, don't be like that. If Heaven hates anyone, it's me, dropping me in here, someplace I don't know, with magical people that could kill me without breaking a sweat, and breaking me apart from my friend, and leaving me with memories that apparently might not have even happened, and..."
-
>"But if she's the only one that can get through the barrier, and you think I might have some sort of youkai ancestry..."
>Did any of our maternal (grand)parents vanish mysteriously or get adopted from unknown parents?
>She shrugs.
>Actually, your family has kind of a history of bad marriages and relationships, now that you consider it. There's a couple of biological relatives you never had a chance to meet. Not to mention the trouble with half your family not being from your home country...
> "Oh, don't be like that. If Heaven hates anyone, it's me, dropping me in here, someplace I don't know, with magical people that could kill me without breaking a sweat, and breaking me apart from my friend, and leaving me with memories that apparently might not have even happened, and..."
>"Oh, memories?" says Reimu. "You mean that dream? Wasn't that weird stuff? I thought it was an incident at first, but since it's not happened again, I guess it was just some thing."
>_
-
>"Incident?"
>"Keine wasn't entirely sure how much of that actually happened... and I don't remember it very clearly myself. It might have been worthwhile for me in the end to arrive here and see the wonders, but..."
-
>"Incident?"
>"Keine wasn't entirely sure how much of that actually happened... and I don't remember it very clearly myself. It might have been worthwhile for me in the end to arrive here and see the wonders, but..."
>She nods. "A problem I have to go solve."
>"No use worrying about it, I suppose," says Reimu.
>_
-
>"Which direction is the Forest of Magic from here, anyway? There's a couple things on my list of stuff to-do, there."
-
>"Which direction is the Forest of Magic from here, anyway? There's a couple things on my list of stuff to-do, there."
>"It's to the south," says Reimu. "If you came from the Underground, you almost had to go through it."
>_
-
>"Oh, maybe I did go through it already? Is that where Mystia lives?"
-
>"Oh, maybe I did go through it already? Is that where Mystia lives?"
>She nods. "That's the one."
>_
-
> "So you vaguely remember the dream too? You're another one, then. I really wonder what was up with that."
> Quick refresher: how much do we know about this apparent mass common dream phenomenon?
-
>"Does that half-youkai shopkeeper also live in the Forest of Magic, or a different one? Do... you think I should try to find out whether I have any youkai blood?"
-
> "So you vaguely remember the dream too? You're another one, then. I really wonder what was up with that."
> Quick refresher: how much do we know about this apparent mass common dream phenomenon?
>"I figured it was Koishi screwing around, myself," says Reimu.
>You're pretty sure it's what most of the residents of Gensokyo recall from the time that it was part of the outside world. You're not sure why they, or you, can't remember too clearly. Parsee seems to have escaped it, and Satori has said Utsuho did as well. The world at large seems to have written it off as a shared dream. You don't know if anyone has really taken it seriously.
>"Does that half-youkai shopkeeper also live in the Forest of Magic, or a different one? Do... you think I should try to find out whether I have any youkai blood?"
>"Yeah. Just follow the road. And, really it's not important. Whether you're talented because of youkai blood or just luck of the draw, it wouldn't change much."
>_
>_
-
>"Alright. Er... who's Koishi?"
-
>"Alright. Er... who's Koishi?"
>"Satori's sister," says Reimu. "She's weird. Also the black sheep of the family."
>_
-
>"How would she be able to do something like that?"
-
>"How would she be able to do something like that?"
>"She's Satori's sister," says Reimu, "She does weird mind stuff. Mostly messing with the things you don't think about."
>_
-
>"That sounds a little... disturbing. You don't sound that concerned, though."
-
>"That sounds a little... disturbing. You don't sound that concerned, though."
>"She hides most of the time. Like I said, she's weird. If she acts up, I can deal with her. Or Marisa can."
>_
-
>"What's Marisa like? Byakuren mentioned her, as well."
-
>"What's Marisa like? Byakuren mentioned her, as well."
>"Beefy," says Reimu. "Kinda impulsive. Really open-minded. She's a good friend and a good rival; always has been. I'd trust her with my life. Not very subtle, though. She's also got her mischievous moments, and can be kinda lazy. Oh, and plays the burglar from time to time, though Patchouli has mostly broken her out of that."
>_
-
>"Ah, I see. She doesn't sound so bad. She's on my list of people to talk to when I'm around that area."
>"Any last words of wisdom, or such, before I head off?"
-
>Wonder whether it would be a good idea to joke about Reimu being able to tease Yukari by saying she'd seen her granddaughter naked.
-
>"Ah, I see. She doesn't sound so bad. She's on my list of people to talk to when I'm around that area."
>"Any last words of wisdom, or such, before I head off?"
>"Oh, Yukari as a shikigami named Ran. You'll see her from a mile off, Fox youkai with nine tails. She's usually pretty level-headed, but she'll rat you out to Yukari for sure. Ran has a shikigami of her own, a little cat youkai named Chen. Chen's a little kid, pretty much. You might persuade her to keep a secret."
>Wonder whether it would be a good idea to joke about Reimu being able to tease Yukari by saying she'd seen her granddaughter naked.
>You have no idea if this would be a good idea.
>_
-
>"How should I try to explain myself to Ran, if it comes to that?"
>"And... I think Keine mentioned that Chen was outside at the school earlier today... she must have been in the playground. I THOUGHT I saw someone with animal features there..."
-
>"How should I try to explain myself to Ran, if it comes to that?"
>"And... I think Keine mentioned that Chen was outside at the school earlier today... she must have been in the playground. I THOUGHT I saw someone with animal features there..."
>She shrugs. "Ran's pretty reasonable, but she will tell Yukari. At best, maybe you can get her to do it on your terms. But yeah, if she sees you, Yukari will know. And then...well, who knows?"
>"Sounds like Chen."
>_
-
>"Hopefully Chen didn't notice me, then. Or Keine managed to sway her. Well, no matter. I'll just have to look out for it."
>"Thanks again, Reimu."
>Consider making another border-barrier for practice.
>Quests. What's a good next destination?
-
>"Hopefully Chen didn't notice me, then. Or Keine managed to sway her. Well, no matter. I'll just have to look out for it."
>"Thanks again, Reimu."
>Consider making another border-barrier for practice.
>Quests. What's a good next destination?
>"Chen would have said something, probably," says Reimu. "Yukari's like her doting aunt, or grandma."
>"You're welcome."
>Practice does make perfect.
>Your Quests are
>Renko Quest
>Given Renko has been your long-term partner in crime, if you're stuck here, chances are she is too.
>Escape from Eastern Wonderland?
>At some point, you should probably try to go home, right?
>Love is a Battlefield
>Your friend Utsuho in a bitter rivalry with Yuugi for the heart of Parsee Mizuhashi. What can be done?
>Maximum Charge Maribel Hearn
>Byakuren has offered to cast a spell to enhance your innate magic potential, if you gather the ingredients and prove yourself worthy.
>Clinic Catastophe
>Byakuren asked you to help Murasa run the clinic, and to make sure Murasa is doing her job.
>Kick a Komachi
>Apparently Komachi has been slacking off. Reimu's asked you to give her a swift kick to get back to work.
>_
-
>look
-
> Lets go to Marisas place, we need to learn more about magic
-
> Going to Marisa's would probably be useful, but Komachi is probably higher priority right now. We don't have anything to offer for services, and there's no guarantee Marisa won't charge in some capacity. Who knows what we'll get out of harassing Komachi, which only requires our voice.
-
>Komachi is, indeed, a more obvious goal, and it'd do no good to annoy Reimu by forgetting about it. But there's a lot more to do near the Forest of Magic, which may mean less backtracking.
>Then again, since Satori's the one that's let us stay at their house recently, leaving stuff on the way to the Underground for later might be a good idea. How easy is it to tell what time of day it is down there?
-
>look
>What at?
> Lets go to Marisas place, we need to learn more about magic
> Going to Marisa's would probably be useful, but Komachi is probably higher priority right now. We don't have anything to offer for services, and there's no guarantee Marisa won't charge in some capacity. Who knows what we'll get out of harassing Komachi, which only requires our voice.
>Komachi is, indeed, a more obvious goal, and it'd do no good to annoy Reimu by forgetting about it. But there's a lot more to do near the Forest of Magic, which may mean less backtracking.
>Then again, since Satori's the one that's let us stay at their house recently, leaving stuff on the way to the Underground for later might be a good idea. How easy is it to tell what time of day it is down there?
>Decisions, decisions...
>You have no idea how to tell time underground. You don't even know if Renko could do it.
>_
-
(I vote Marisas)
-
>The Forest of Magic is on our way back to the underground, anyway, so we can always do the stuff there on our way back for the night.
-
>The Forest of Magic is on our way back to the underground, anyway, so we can always do the stuff there on our way back for the night.
>This is true. Though it's also not necessary to wait that long to go back...
>_
-
(Oh yeah, heh, forgot about that)
> Go to Komachi, all we have to do is get her to work, that doesn't seem too hard, right?
-
>look around the area, current situation and such!
>In particular, look for something appropriate to try using a practice barrier on. Or is it based on conceptual distinctions, rather than physical ones, with the water surface simply assisting that, sorta like the palm-danmaku Byakuren explained?
>Komachi is probably a higher priority, overall.
-
>look around the area, current situation and such!
>In particular, look for something appropriate to try using a practice barrier on. Or is it based on conceptual distinctions, rather than physical ones, with the water surface simply assisting that, sorta like the palm-danmaku Byakuren explained?
>Komachi is probably a higher priority, overall.
>You are presently at the Hakurei Shrine. Reimu has returned to hanging up her laundry. She glances at you every so often.
>You aren't sure. Now might be the time to ask.
>Dealing with Komachi is probably important.
>_
-
>"Um... stupid question first, actually. Where can you make barriers? Like, if I wanted to make one to defend myself, do I need to come up with a 'border' between myself and the attack based on the situation, or is the location less important than the strength of concepts used for making it?"
-
>"Um... stupid question first, actually. Where can you make barriers? Like, if I wanted to make one to defend myself, do I need to come up with a 'border' between myself and the attack based on the situation, or is the location less important than the strength of concepts used for making it?"
>"Oh, right, we got sidetracked, didn't we?" says Reimu. "All you really need is a concept for making one."
>She waves her hand in front of her, creating a translucent blue field in midair. Unlike your earlier barrier, you notice it is full of curious patterns and what seems like writing. "A pro can do it just like that," she says. "From concept to exection in a moment. Though let me say, it's way harder when you're flying. You're not going to get a lot of defensive use out of it in straight danmaku fights. Though if you're good, you can build patterns based on it."
>_
-
>"And what concept did you use for that one?"
>"I notice it's quite a bit more intricate. If that just a consequence of practice, or is that based on the difference in concept?"
-
>"I take it you use them?"
>"... actually, that reminds me - I heard about spellcards from someone else earlier. They're special danmaku patterns or something, right? How do you... should I be concerned with how to make them, and what they're like?"
-
>"And what concept did you use for that one?"
>"I notice it's quite a bit more intricate. If that just a consequence of practice, or is that based on the difference in concept?"
>"A few things," she says. "Old and New, Teacher and Student, Self and Outside."
>"Both. Once you learn the basics, you can start to weave talismans into them, which helps put them together, even with weak concepts. That's a ways beyond you, yet. And it's where you got to start memorizing all sorts of spiritual stuff."
>"I take it you use them?"
>"... actually, that reminds me - I heard about spellcards from someone else earlier. They're special danmaku patterns or something, right? How do you... should I be concerned with how to make them, and what they're like?"
>"In danmaku?" she shakes her head. "No. The best defense is a good dodge. By the time I got a good barrier up, I would be dealing with bullets from other angles. It's just not worth it."
>"I can help you with that. Talk to me once you're confident in your skills, and have a couple matches under you belt maybe."
>_
-
>"Oh, so you can weave multiple concepts into the same barrier? I assume that strengthens it?"
>Try creating a barrier using the same group of concepts Reimu just described, for practice
-
>Cognitive dissonance from many of Reimu's spellcards and fighting game moves using barriers
>"Alright. I'm glad I've managed to be worth the time. I think I'll go check on Komachi before I do something silly like forget about it. North, right? Should I try flying over there?"
>what sort of obstacles are due North? Or was that where our path came from?
-
>"Oh, so you can weave multiple concepts into the same barrier? I assume that strengthens it?"
>Try creating a barrier using the same group of concepts Reimu just described, for practice
>"It's more like throwing things on the wall to see what sticks. They don't really reinforce each other much, after a couple it's like adding a grain of rice to a bowl, you just don't get enough to make it worthwhile. But it helps.
>You give it another go. It's much more difficult than before, without a solid physical concept to envision. But you manage to create a purple disk a little larger than a tea saucer, which persists for a little more than a second. You don't have much faith in it.
>"Don't get discouraged," she says. "But don't drain yourself either."
>Cognitive dissonance from many of Reimu's spellcards and fighting game moves using barriers
>"Alright. I'm glad I've managed to be worth the time. I think I'll go check on Komachi before I do something silly like forget about it. North, right? Should I try flying over there?"
>what sort of obstacles are due North? Or was that where our path came from?
>Gotta pay attention, bro.
>"North, and if you want. Just follow the road. After it fades, keep going that way."
>You kinda remember some fields. But aside from that, you don't know.
>_
-
>"Yeah, I know. Practice and all. Really, it's exciting to be able to do even this much, as flimsy as it is. I'll keep working on it."
>"Well, thanks very much for all this. I appreciate it. See you later!"
>Wave goodbye, and head out along the road to the north
-
>... on the flying note, what underwear did we end up with?
-
>"Yeah, I know. Practice and all. Really, it's exciting to be able to do even this much, as flimsy as it is. I'll keep working on it."
>"Well, thanks very much for all this. I appreciate it. See you later!"
>Wave goodbye, and head out along the road to the north
>"Alright. Just don't let it get in the way of other things."
>"Good luck!" says Reimu.
>You wave, and head out.
>It'll be a bit before you go along the north road; you'll have to get back to town first.
>... on the flying note, what underwear did we end up with?
>You're kind of recycling your prior ones. It seems Reimu didn't have anything to lend in that regard.
>_
-
>We can always take the more direct route, and the practice might be helpful
>Take to the sky, and see if we can see the road from here, if we go a little higher
-
>We can always take the more direct route, and the practice might be helpful
>Take to the sky, and see if we can see the road from here, if we go a little higher
>You draw out your stone, and concentrate a bit, lifting yourself into the air after a couple seconds. You think you're starting to get good at this invocation thing!
>You lift off and fly up into the sky a bit. You can see the road extending from the village, some distance to the west.
>_
-
>follow the north road. Don't fly too high.
-
>follow the north road. Don't fly too high.
>You head toward the north road. As you do, you become aware of a couple faeries flies out of the woods and heading toward you.
>_
-
>Damnit.
>Try to get past the edge of the woods before landing and/or confronting/talking to them. Just flying or danmaku is tricky enough!
-
>Damnit.
>Try to get past the edge of the woods before landing and/or confronting/talking to them. Just flying or danmaku is tricky enough!
>You indulge in some profanity, or at least think it really hard.
>You try to get to the western edge of the woods, behind you you hear the faeries shout "Hey! Don't act like you didn't see us!"
>_
-
> Might as well indulge them.
> "Ah. Hello. Do you need anything?"
-
> Might as well indulge them.
> "Ah. Hello. Do you need anything?"
>"What'd you do?!" shouts the other faerie, whom you quickly recognize as Plum Flower from before. "You were there forever! You didn't do anything weird, did you!?"
>_
-
>"No, nothing weird at all. We talked, she showed me a couple things, and now I'm running an errand to be helpful. Besides, how could I have given her a hard time if none of those clouds are after me?"
-
>"No, nothing weird at all. We talked, she showed me a couple things, and now I'm running an errand to be helpful. Besides, how could I have given her a hard time if none of those clouds are after me?"
>"Don't you bring the clouds into this!" cries the other faerie. "You don't know their momma! You don't know what it's like!"
>"Then why are you running!?" Plum Flower says. "You were avoiding me! You did something, I know it!"
>_
-
>"I'm not running away. I'm just trying to get to the Sanzu River as quickly as possible."
-
>"I'm not running away. I'm just trying to get to the Sanzu River as quickly as possible."
>"I'll Sanzu you!"
>You hear the distinctive sound of danmaku being shot behind you.
>_
-
>Behind?
>Quickly lose altitude
>Get a look at who's shooting at us
-
>Behind?
>Quickly lose altitude
>Get a look at who's shooting at us
>You quickly drop altitude. You'd be rather pleased how easily you did it, if not for the fact you're being shot at.
>Looking back, you see it's Plum Flower firing at you, sending a single line of somewhat slow bullets your way; or rather, where you were before you dodged.
>"You show her, Plum!" says the other faerie, waving her arms quickly. "Don't let her get away treating you like a joke!"
>_
-
>"Is there no way to talk you out of this? I mean, just think about it for a second. If I really was strong enough to cause trouble for the shrine maiden, there's no way you could beat me. And if you really can beat me, then there's no way I would have been strong enough to do anything to her in the first place, right? So, either way this is pointless."
>Be ready to dodge again, in the likelihood that logic continues to be lost on her
-
>"Is there no way to talk you out of this? I mean, just think about it for a second. If I really was strong enough to cause trouble for the shrine maiden, there's no way you could beat me. And if you really can beat me, then there's no way I would have been strong enough to do anything to her in the first place, right? So, either way this is pointless."
>Be ready to dodge again, in the likelihood that logic continues to be lost on her
>"You don't have to be strong to do weird things!" she shouts back. You hear another volley come in your direction. "You leave her alone! She's too great for the likes of you!"
>_
-
>Oh well, time to put theory into practice...
>Shift to the side, out of the way of those shots and get a little closer
>Launch a volley back at her
-
>Oh well, time to put theory into practice...
>Shift to the side, out of the way of those shots and get a little closer
>Launch a volley back at her
>You turn and move aside, the second line of shots bypassing you easily.
>"You'll regret that!" she says, flying closer to you.
>"You show her, Plum!" the other faerie cheers, "Hit her with the full force of your feelings!"
>You gather up your energy, focusing through the branch, and release it! A cloud of seven or so shots flies from your hands, making its way...somewhat lazily toward the faerie. She easily darts around them.
>_
-
>"You realize I only learned how to do that this morning, right? Have a little sympathy for a beginner?"
>See if we can trade volley size for projectile speed. Try to funnel our energy into making them faster, rather than more plentiful
>Fire again
-
>"You realize I only learned how to do that this morning, right? Have a little sympathy for a beginner?"
>See if we can trade volley size for projectile speed. Try to funnel our energy into making them faster, rather than more plentiful
>Fire again
>"You didn't have any sympathy!" she shouts, sending another line of bullets at you.
>You suspect you can do this. You gather up the energy, pleased to find it's coming a little faster, and unleash a single bullet! It flies with about the speed of one of Deva K's shots, and smacks the faerie in the torso.
>"You'll rue this day!" she says, you are pretty sure you can see tears in her eyes.
>Her bullets are coming pretty close. As well, the other faerie joins in, creating a wide cloud of shots and sending them at you!
>_
-
>Dive down, again. And shift off to one side, to make the trajectory less obvious
>Fire another similar shot or two at Plum Flower.
-
>Dive down, again. And shift off to one side, to make the trajectory less obvious
>Fire another similar shot or two at Plum Flower.
>You drop and shift to the side. Unfortunately, you end up skidding along further than you intended, putting more distance than you'd like between yourself and the faeries.
>Plum Flower follows, shrieking angrily, while the other one starts to circle around you.
>You focus successfully, and fire another speedy shot, but the distance between you two is great enough she can see it coming and dodge to the side.
>_
-
>Let Plum Flower close in on us, but try to shift so that the other one can't get behind us
>Shoot another couple shots, once she gets closer
-
> "You know you're stopping me from running a very important errand given to me by the shrine maiden. You wouldn't like me to tell the shrine maiden that her very important errand was delayed because of you two, would you?"
-
>Let Plum Flower close in on us, but try to shift so that the other one can't get behind us
>Shoot another couple shots, once she gets closer
>You let Plum Flower charge at you, and try to circle so that the other one can't slip behind you.
>She gets closer, and gather together a few more shots. One flies wide, but another one smacks into her chest, cutting off her angry shriek but not stopping her.
> "You know you're stopping me from running a very important errand given to me by the shrine maiden. You wouldn't like me to tell the shrine maiden that her very important errand was delayed because of you two, would you?"
>"It should have been me!" she gasps, no more than a couple yards from you, as she unleashes a cloud of bullets at you.
>_
-
>Launch another shot
>As we do, dash up and backwards quickly
-
>Launch another shot
>As we do, dash up and backwards quickly
>You try to launch another shot, and find yourself doing too many things at once. Your speed suffers for it, and Plum Blossom's bullets clips you in the ankle, feeling like you just smacked it against a coffee table. The jolt is enough to make you lose you concentration.
>_
-
>Try to regain focus and right ourself
>Forget about retaliating at the moment, just assess the bullets around us, and try to get to a safe position
-
> "Then why didn't you go ask her?"
-
>Try to regain focus and right ourself
>Forget about retaliating at the moment, just assess the bullets around us, and try to get to a safe position
>You are still in midair, thankfully.
>The bullets are below you now, you just clipped your ankle on one when you were going on. However, Plum Flower looks ready to send another one at you.
> "Then why didn't you go ask her?"
>"Shut up!"
>She sends another cloud at you.
>_
>_
-
>Move out of the way of the cloud
>This time try firing AFTER we've dodged. Less multi-tasking
>What does the other faerie seem to be doing?
-
>Move out of the way of the cloud
>This time try firing AFTER we've dodged. Less multi-tasking
>What does the other faerie seem to be doing?
>You evade this cloud, moving to the side cleanly and letting it pass, and ready another attack. You think it's coming more quickly to you, now.
>This attack catches Plum Flower in the gut, and sends her plummeting.
>The other faerie was circling, but moves to catch her companion.
>_
-
>Does Plum Flower look like she's out, for now?
>"I'll stop if you will, you know. I didn't want to fight in the first place."
-
>Does Plum Flower look like she's out, for now?
>"I'll stop if you will, you know. I didn't want to fight in the first place."
>Judging from the way she's falling, it does.
>"You psychotic jerk!" shouts the other faerie as she catches Plum Flower. "Why can't your think of poor Plum Flower's heart, too!"
>With that, she flies back toward the forest.
>_
-
>"I- I'm sorry! I didn't mean any harm!"
>Feel bad for knocking out a faerie, even if she did attack first
>Subsequently congratulate ourself for actually winning a danmaku battle, no matter how basic it was
>Continue towards the northern road
-
>"I- I'm sorry! I didn't mean any harm!"
>Feel bad for knocking out a faerie, even if she did attack first
>Subsequently congratulate ourself for actually winning a danmaku battle, no matter how basic it was
>Continue towards the northern road
>"I'm telling Dai!" the other faerie shouts back.
>It does feel a little mean to knock out someone less than half your size...
>But at the same time, you won! You are awesome! Fresh out of class and you're already taking 'em down!
>You soar toward town, exulting in victory and the sheer thrill of flying under your own power. Everything is good right now, you are probably beaming embarrassingly.
>You are hovering over town now. Things don't seem very busy below. You can see the north road, stretching past Byakuren's temple and through the fields.
>_
-
>Continue northward
-
>You continue northward, flying over the temple, and past the fields.
>While you don't know much about farming, the people below scurrying through the fields make you think they must be harvesting something. Or maybe they're weeding? You can't really tell. Further ahead, you can see an empty grassland to the northwest, and what seems to be a hill covered in flowers to the northeast.
>_
-
>Keep following the road, until it ends
-
>Keep following the road, until it ends
>You keep flying northward.
>In the field, you think you see someone moving; at least that splash of purple probably doesn't belong there. To the east, you can see the land become hilly. There seem to be many flowers dotting it, and something red. Is that a person?
>Up ahead, you can see the grassland to the west give way to a huge field of flowers. The hills to the northeast as covered with them, too, but not so thickly. You think you can see the road fading out in the far distance.
>_
-
>Can we see the river at all from here?
>In any case, keep heading northward
-
>Can we see the river at all from here?
>In any case, keep heading northward
>You cannot.
>You keep going northward. The flower field to the west adds a great deal of color to the landscape, while the field to the west adds a more reserved tone. Up ahead, you can see the road fade away into another forest.
>_
-
>Can we see the road emerge from the other side of the woods at any point?
>Are we confident enough in our sense of direction to keep going north without this landmark?
>Otherwise land, and follow the road into the forest
-
>Can we see the road emerge from the other side of the woods at any point?
>Are we confident enough in our sense of direction to keep going north without this landmark?
>Otherwise land, and follow the road into the forest
>You do not see it emerging from the other side of the woods.
>You think you should be able to keep due north, at least roughly, as long as you don't do anything to turn yourself around.
>_
-
>Keep flying north, then
-
>Keep flying north, then
>You keep going, and pass over the forest. Soon, you come to another plain, this one dotted with flowers as well. In the distance, you can see a river.
>_
-
>Yay, a river at last!
>Fly towards it, and land on the bank closest to us, particularly at any point where we can see people.
>Ponder whether flying across the river of the dead would be a really, really bad thing.
-
>Ponder whether flying across the river of the dead would be a really, really bad thing.
>Well, it may result in death, for one.
-
>Yay, a river at last!
>Fly towards it, and land on the bank closest to us, particularly at any point where we can see people.
>Ponder whether flying across the river of the dead would be a really, really bad thing.
>Finally!
>You fly toward it, zooming over the plains, and land near the banks. Not too far away, you can see a dock with some trees near it.
>You can't imagine it hasn't been thought of.
>Well, it may result in death, for one.
>That seems likely.
>_
>_
-
>Walk towards the dock.
>Can we see anyone?
-
>Walk towards the dock.
>Can we see anyone?
>You make your way toward the dock. It is just a simple pier, extending into the river. The wood looks old and doesn't bear any sign of paint or sealant. At the same time, it seems rather sturdy. More antique than decrepit.
>Nearly, you see a tall-looking red-haired woman laying on her side near a tree, her head cradled in her hands and curled into a little ball. She wears a white dress with a blue vest over top of it. As far as you can tell, she's sound asleep.
>_
-
>Walk closer
>"Excuse me?"
-
>Walk closer
>"Excuse me?"
>You walk closer. She doesn't seem not notice, nor respond to your voice.
>_
-
>We weren't actually given a physical description of Komachi, were we?
>Well, she seems likely enough, so... shake her on the shoulder and try to wake her up
-
>We weren't actually given a physical description of Komachi, were we?
>Well, she seems likely enough, so... shake her on the shoulder and try to wake her up
>Reimu described her as a tall pretty girl with red hair, and assured you you'd like her.
>"Go 'way," she mutters, "S'all ocean now."
>_
-
> Keep shaking her shoulder.
-
>"Hey, Reimu's annoyed with you, you know."
-
> Keep shaking her shoulder.
>"N'now, Eiki, I'm tired," she mutters
>"Hey, Reimu's annoyed with you, you know."
>"S'not my fault it's gone..." she says.
>_
-
>Well, Reimu DID say...
>Give her a swift kick to the rear.
>"Hey! Wake up!"
-
>"Not your fault what's gone?"
>Shake her more vigorously
>If that doesn't seem to rouse her at all, maybe she should interpret Reimu's directive to kick her more literally...
-
>"Not your fault what's gone?"
>Shake her more vigorously
>If that doesn't seem to rouse her at all, maybe she should interpret Reimu's directive to kick her more literally...
>Well, Reimu DID say...
>Give her a swift kick to the rear.
>"Hey! Wake up!"
>"Th' land," she mumbles.
>You give her a few shakes, then finally a kick.
>"Oi!" she cries, squirming away from you. "Knock it off! That's valuable merchandise! Geez, what'd I ever do to you..."
>_
-
>"Sorry, just following instructions. You going to stay awake now, or do I have to kick you again?"
-
>"Sorry, just following instructions. You going to stay awake now, or do I have to kick you again?"
>She sits up, scratching her head. "Not like it's going make a bit of difference, the whole thing's-"
>She gestures toward the south.
>"-well would you look at that? It's back."
>_
-
>"What's back? I don't suppose you could give me an explanation I can actually understand?"
-
>"Hmm... you didn't have a strange dream about being in a different Gensokyo, did you?"
>"Anyway, Reimu wanted me to give you a kick for slacking off. She said there was some strange flowers around."
-
>"What's back? I don't suppose you could give me an explanation I can actually understand?"
>"All that turned into an ocean for awhile," says Komachi, frowning toward the south.
>"Hmm... you didn't have a strange dream about being in a different Gensokyo, did you?"
>"Anyway, Reimu wanted me to give you a kick for slacking off. She said there was some strange flowers around."
>"Nope, I was just resting up," she says. "Now you're talking about things I don't understand.
>"Oh, she's back? Well...guess it's time."
>_
-
Well, that explains things. Not that Maribel understands. Which is slightly strange to deal with.
>"Hmm, that's interesting. Well, as long as you're working again, Reimu should be satisfied."
-
Well, that explains things. Not that Maribel understands. Which is slightly strange to deal with.
>"Hmm, that's interesting. Well, as long as you're working again, Reimu should be satisfied."
>"Yeah, I'll get to it in a few minutes," she says, standing up and stretching. "Not like this lot is going to get any deader."
>_
-
> "This whole river was an ocean? That seems...unlikely. Anything else weird happen? And how is Reimu 'back'?"
-
> "This whole river was an ocean? That seems...unlikely. Anything else weird happen? And how is Reimu 'back'?"
>"No, not the river," says Komachi. She gestures south again. "That. It was gone for months. Got replaced by an ocean. Or maybe a sea? I dunno, it was salt water and had fish. The Enma flipped her shit. But really, I think she was grateful for the vacation in her heart. We went fishing a few times. Now it's back."
>_
-
>"I bet that has to do with the incident that happened with those sort-of-dreams... I'd explain it to you better, but I don't much about it myself either."
lakdhfa I wish we were Utsuho so we could explain
-
>"I bet that has to do with the incident that happened with those sort-of-dreams... I'd explain it to you better, but I don't much about it myself either."
>"Well, it's no big deal," says Komachi. "I got to see what sharks these days look like, and it's all fixed. The Enma will be happy about that."
>_
-
>"Well, I guess if that's all straightened away, I can head off now. I can let Reimu know what happened."
-
>"Well, I guess if that's all straightened away, I can head off now. I can let Reimu know what happened."
>"Oh, don't want to hang out and talk for a bit," says Komachi. "I don't get many visitors up here except for the dead and the occasional peddler."
>_
-
>"Well, I suppose I could. I'm Maribel, by the way. It's nice to meet you."
>"And is this.... is this really the river of the dead?"
-
>"Well, I suppose I could. I'm Maribel, by the way. It's nice to meet you."
>"And is this.... is this really the river of the dead?"
>"Komachi," she replies. "Pleased to meet you."
>"Sure is! Higan's on the other side. That's where the Enmas and the afterlife portions of the Celestial Bureaucracy live and work."
>_
-
>"And do the dead from everywhere pass by this way? Or just Gensokyo's?"
-
>"And do the dead from everywhere pass by this way? Or just Gensokyo's?"
>"Not everywhere, but a lot of places," says Komachi. "It really jammed things up when Gensokyo popped off for a vacation. Mind you, we were getting it fixed. Even had a mind to call it the Dead Sea. But looks like things are back in order."
>_
-
>"Getting it fixed? You mean Gensokyo itself? Or just the whole 'ferrying the dead' system?"
-
>"Getting it fixed? You mean Gensokyo itself? Or just the whole 'ferrying the dead' system?"
>"Jiggering the system so instead of the dead moving through Gensokyo, they'd move through that ocean," says Komachi. "You know, I kinda miss it, now."
>_
-
>"You sure you don't just miss the vacation?"
>"And I suppose if you didn't even realize Gensokyo was back until now, then you haven't heard anything else of note around here lately, either. Not that it would need to be new to be new to me, of course..."
-
>"You sure you don't just miss the vacation?"
>"And I suppose if you didn't even realize Gensokyo was back until now, then you haven't heard anything else of note around here lately, either. Not that it would need to be new to be new to me, of course..."
>"Well, yeah. But the ocean was pretty, too. Thought about hauling my boat over onto it, but it was a little rough for that."
>"Not really," She says. "I don't get much news out here. But new to you, you say? You one of those hermit sorts?"
-
>"No, not exactly. I'm just... a new arrival in Gensokyo. I woke up here this morning. I'm from the outside world."
-
>"No, not exactly. I'm just... a new arrival in Gensokyo. I woke up here this morning. I'm from the outside world."
>"Oh, I couldn't tell," she says. "Well, might have seen her on the way up here, but in case you didn't, watch out for that doll on the nameless mound. She's full of poison. I dunno if she's calmed down, but she used to have some real issues. The whole hill is full of Lilies of the Valley, so you wanna be careful there."
-
>"Yeah, I think I might have seen her. And, yeah, maybe I should just give the place a wide berth for the time-being... Any other tips you might have for a newcomer? Any other interesting places in the general vicinity?"
-
>"Yeah, I think I might have seen her. And, yeah, maybe I should just give the place a wide berth for the time-being... Any other tips you might have for a newcomer? Any other interesting places in the general vicinity?"
>"Well, I can't imagine people haven't already warned you about Yuka and the Garden of the Sun. Oh, to the south of that somewhere is a hidden Lunar Rabbit Base that no one uses anymore. And that woods yonder?" She points toward the forest where the road ends. "Sometimes the departed leave their old things in there. Well, actually it's really rare, but so many come through, you know, that it piles up. Figuratively speaking."
>_
-
>Yeah, it seems that everyone decides to warn me about Yuka. I'm thinking I'll be best off if I never meet her, actually."
>"And is it ok to just pick up the dead's things? Isn't that somehow disrespectful?"
>"Lunar rabbits?"
-
>Yeah, it seems that everyone decides to warn me about Yuka. I'm thinking I'll be best off if I never meet her, actually."
>"And is it ok to just pick up the dead's things? Isn't that somehow disrespectful?"
>"Lunar rabbits?"
>"She's just terribly powerful, and also a little tricky to deal with." says Komachi, shrugging.
>"They tossed them aside. Just don't get greedy, and you'll be alright."
>"Yep. They were doing some invasion back in the winter, I think."
>_
-
>"Is the lunar part literal? As, in an invasion of rabbits from the actual moon?"
>"While I'm at it, I don't suppose you have any idea where I could find a geode?"
>"And I suppose I ought to let you get back to work. Not much point in coming here to get you to speed up, only to keep you from getting started."
-
>"Is the lunar part literal? As, in an invasion of rabbits from the actual moon?"
>"While I'm at it, I don't suppose you have any idea where I could find a geode?"
>"And I suppose I ought to let you get back to work. Not much point in coming here to get you to speed up, only to keep you from getting started."
>"Yep, that's the one," she says.
>"One of those rock things? Maybe at Kourindou, or underground."
>"I suppose so," she says. She makes a gesture with her hand, and suddenly there is a scythe with a wavy blade on it. "Alright, you lot! Service will resume in five minutes! When the time comes I want an orderly queue to the right! Cutting in line will net you bad karma, and the Enma will know!
>You cannot see who or what she is barking order to.
>_
-
>"Well, it was nice meeting you, Komachi. Have a nice day!"
>Wave farewell and walk back towards the forest. May as well see if there's anything interesting in there.
-
> Be grateful that you cannot see who or what she is talking to.
-
> Be grateful that you cannot see who or what she is talking to.
>You think you can go without it for right now.
>"Well, it was nice meeting you, Komachi. Have a nice day!"
>Wave farewell and walk back towards the forest. May as well see if there's anything interesting in there.
>"You too!" She says, as you depart.
>You head toward the forest, passing through a field filled with flowers. Having a closer look at it, you're starting to wonder about this field. You're pretty sure some of these flowers shouldn't be blooming this late. Still, it is quiet, and no faeries are around to attack you at random.
>After a little walk, you reach the edge of the woods. Unlike the Forest of Magic, and the one near Reimu's shrine, this woods isn't very thick at all. The lack of a path shouldn't present any problem. It rather reminds you of a park left to grow out a little bit. However, there is a great deal of moss around, covering everything and hanging from the tree branches in thick curtains. It is also very quiet, rather like the Underground. Obvious exits are North, South, East, and West.
>_
-
>Go east
-
>Go east
>You pick your way eastward.
>The forest is a little darker here; more curtains of moss hang from the trees, and the ground is a little more damp. There is a large, flat rock here, covered with moss. Leaning against it is an old wooden cane, hooked on one end. Obvious exits are South and West.
>_
-
>Pick up the cane and examine it. Does it seem in any way unusual?
-
>Pick up the cane and examine it. Does it seem in any way unusual?
>You pick up the cane.
>There doesn't seem to be anything unusual about it, it seem like an accessory you would expect a mannerly highbrow or dapper swain to carry. It is rather solidly designed.
>_
-
>Try to see if we can detect any magical resonance from it, like we could from the branch when we tried to draw power from it.
>If it just seems like a plain piece of wood, in this sense, put it back down, and go westward from the road
-
>Try to see if we can detect any magical resonance from it, like we could from the branch when we tried to draw power from it.
>If it just seems like a plain piece of wood, in this sense, put it back down, and go westward from the road
>You don't detect anything like that from it.
>You put the cane down, and go to the west.
>Continuing West from where you entered, as there is no road, you find yourself in a place with thick grass, in some places reaching up to touch them moss. The trees here are mostly bare, but thick vines weave between them to keep the forest floor from being well lit. You think you spot a small leather bag among the grass. Obvious exits are east and west.
>_
-
>Examine the leather bag and its potential contents
-
>Examine the leather bag and its potential contents
>It is a small bag, the leather cracked with age. You could carry it in your palm easily. It seems to hold something inside it.
>_
-
>Hey, I already said to examine the contents
>Examine contents
-
>Hey, I already said to examine the contents
>Examine contents
>You carefully loosen the bag's drawstrings, and peek inside. You can see some silvery coins; they don't look anything like ☼ you had before.
>_
-
>Do the coins look old? Consequently potentially valuable?
>Take the pouch
>Continue west
-
>Do the coins look old? Consequently potentially valuable?
>Take the pouch
>Continue west
>They look very old; they are the weird off center kinda you see in textbooks, and the picture on them is quite primitive. The lettering appears to be English, leading you to wonder what an OFFAREX is.
>You obtain: Pouch of Old Coins
>Continuing west, you see the woods thinning out, allowing more light to come in. The moss is not so heavy here, either. Looking around, you notice an weird-looking stick in the shadows of a maple tree. Obvious exits are South and East.
>_
-
>Pick up and examine the stick
-
>Pick up and examine the stick
>You pick up the stick and brush off some of the debris sticking to it, and find you initial estimate was off. It seems to be an antique pistol. You have no idea how it works.
>_
-
>Or probably if it even works at all...
>Still, clean it off a bit more, and pocket it
>Head south
-
>Or probably if it even works at all...
>Still, clean it off a bit more, and pocket it
>Head south
> Didn't Komachi warn us not to get greedy? I'm not saying taking these 2 things count as greedy, but maybe we should leave one behind, better safe then sorry.
-
>Well, if we come up with a use for it, we know where it is
>Put the pistol back
>Head south
-
> Practice making barriers along the way
-
>Or probably if it even works at all...
>Still, clean it off a bit more, and pocket it
>Head south
> Didn't Komachi warn us not to get greedy? I'm not saying taking these 2 things count as greedy, but maybe we should leave one behind, better safe then sorry.
>Well, if we come up with a use for it, we know where it is
>Put the pistol back
>Head south
>You contemplate taking the pistol, then remember Komachi's warning and put it back.
>You head south, and find yourself walking into a beautiful field of flowers. Unlike the prior one, the majority of flowers here seem to be in season. They also seem to be more vibrant. The smell of them is rather heavy in the air. Obvious exists are North, South, and East.
>_
-
>Take to the air, and then head back towards the Forest of Magic
-
> Practice making barriers on the way, if we can while flying
-
>Take to the air, and then head back towards the Forest of Magic
>You take to the air, and start flying southward over the flowers.
> Practice making barriers on the way, if we can while flying
>You work on it; it's honestly a bit tiring to fly and create a barrier at the same time, but you manage to make a few barriers; thin things no larger than a saucer.
>You notice someone up ahead, a green-haired woman in red who is carrying an umbrella. She is looking right at you.
>_
-
> Panic.
> Very, VERY politely say "hi"
> DO NOT TOUCH THE FLOWERS!
-
> Wow, Heaven really DOES hate us.
-
>Don't panic. Everything's still hunky dory! ...so far.
>Along with the hi, give a friendly wave.
>Continue flying on unless she seems to try to start a conversation with us.
-
> Panic.
> Very, VERY politely say "hi"
> DO NOT TOUCH THE FLOWERS!
>Oh god why did you come this way instead of going back to the road?!
>"Why hello there!" she says back, smiling.
>Thankfully, you are flying, and thus have not touched any of them.
> Wow, Heaven really DOES hate us.
>There is definitely a feeling of cosmic hatred going on.
>Don't panic. Everything's still hunky dory! ...so far.
>Along with the hi, give a friendly wave.
>Continue flying on unless she seems to try to start a conversation with us.
>You wave.
>"My my, what an interesting face to see here," she says.
>_
-
> "Um...I'm not Yukari if that's what you're thinking. Apparently I resemble her a lot, but, um...I'm Maribel, someone who was carried here from the outside world.."
-
>Oh, shit. She thinks we're Yukari. And all we know about HER is that she's a crazy little shit. This is not going to work out well.
-
> "Oh, do I seem intresting?"
> "Or is it that I look like someone you know?"
> Polite, but don't cower in fear... yet...
-
Warning - while you were typing 3 new replies have been posted. You may wish to review your post.
wtf guys
-
Double post for IMPORTANT NOTE: Last time we led Yuuka on and let her think we were someone else she was upset when she learned the truth. Best take UK's path and be honest about this, especially given we'd be lying about being Yukari of all people.
-
>Thank god we aren't still wearing the purple dress, which apparently makes us look just like Yukari.
>And yes, do what UK said, not what Mystearica said.
-
>Or do we still have the hat, which merely amounts to Miko Miko Yukarin?
-
>Oh, shit. She thinks we're Yukari. And all we know about HER is that she's a crazy little shit. This is not going to work out well.
>You feel this could be ugly...
> "Um...I'm not Yukari if that's what you're thinking. Apparently I resemble her a lot, but, um...I'm Maribel, someone who was carried here from the outside world.."
>She nods. "Now that I get a closer look, I can see the differences. Now I am not sure what to think. Aside from the fact someone who is supposedly new decided all by herself to fly through my garden without any invitation at all."
>Thank god we aren't still wearing the purple dress, which apparently makes us look just like Yukari.
>And yes, do what UK said, not what Mystearica said.
>Yes, you don't seem to have incurred so many mistakes since changing clothes.
>Or do we still have the hat, which merely amounts to Miko Miko Yukarin?
>Of course you still have your hat!
>_
-
> "I apologize, I did not realize this was your garden."
> Are we being extra sure we're not even touching any flowers? Let's be extra extra sure.
-
> "I apologize, I did not realize this was your garden."
> Are we being extra sure we're not even touching any flowers? Let's be extra extra sure.
>"Really?" she says, "I would think it quite obvious. Where else would you find such an arrangement?"
>You are not going to let your feet touch the ground. Swearing off walking for life feels like a great idea right now.
>_
-
> "Well, I am new to this place. I mean, this Gensokyo in general. At best I've heard your name being spoken a couple times, and that touching your flowers is a very bad idea. This is, however, a VERY nice garden and I probably should have connected the dots...if you'd prefer I leave I can find another way, if you'd like?"
-
> "Well, I am new to this place. I mean, this Gensokyo in general. At best I've heard your name being spoken a couple times, and that touching your flowers is a very bad idea. This is, however, a VERY nice garden and I probably should have connected the dots...if you'd prefer I leave I can find another way, if you'd like?"
>She chuckles. "Oh my, you think you can barge in, and then just leave? Just where were you raised, I wonder, Miss Maribel?"
>_
-
> "Well, if you'd prefer I not leave I can stay around awhile as well"
> Give an uncertain smile here
> "As for where I was raised, a place called Japan. Honestly, I really should know better than to have been so impolite."
-
> "I am sorry, I didn't intend to be rude. I just thought that if I am intruding that I should leave."
-
> "Well, if you'd prefer I not leave I can stay around awhile as well"
> Give an uncertain smile here
> "As for where I was raised, a place called Japan. Honestly, I really should know better than to have been so impolite."
>"Oh yes, I think it would be best, don't you?"
>You give an uncertain smile. Did her eyes just narrow a tiny bit?
>"So I see. How interesting."
> "I am sorry, I didn't intend to be rude. I just thought that if I am intruding that I should leave."
>"One's first instinct should be to make up for their mistakes, not run from them. Anyone should know that, don't you think?"
>"Come along."
>She begins to walk southwest.
>_
-
>"I'm afraid I didn't realize that flying OVER a location was intrusive. I will not make that mistake again."
>Follow nervously. Do not touch any flowers.
-
> She said come along, so follow her.
> "The flowers truely are beautiful though, I don't think I have ever seen such beauty in nature."
-
> "Say, I don't suppose you also have a fuzzy dream memory of seemingly recent events?"
-
>"I'm afraid I didn't realize that flying OVER a location was intrusive. I will not make that mistake again."
>Follow nervously. Do not touch any flowers.
>She shakes her head, her expression unreadable since she is leading the way. "Why would you think that? Does this place you come from have no respect for airspace?"
>You follow along, doing your best not to even let a breeze from your passage touch the flowers. It is not easy, woman, presumably Yuka, is walking at normal speed, and flying that slowly is difficult.
> She said come along, so follow her.
> "The flowers truely are beautiful though, I don't think I have ever seen such beauty in nature."
>"Hahahaha, flattery won't get you anywhere, dear, but do go on."
> "Say, I don't suppose you also have a fuzzy dream memory of seemingly recent events?"
>"And how would you know about that?" she asks, her voice turning strangely calm, in a way that sets hair on edge.
>_
-
> Oh shit what did I say.
> "Uh...basically everyone else has, including Reimu, who seems to be fairly important here. I figured you might as well."
> "And we don't really have rules about airspace because people normally can't fly where I come from. I guess it makes sense that there would be rules about that here, though."
-
> "I truly mean it, the flowers are beautiful! The cloest I ever see to this degree of work and beauty is on a far smaller scale, and even then it doesn't seem this beautiful. Anyone who can appriciate nature's beauty, even if only slightly, would likely say the same."
-
> Oh shit what did I say.
> "Uh...basically everyone else has, including Reimu, who seems to be fairly important here. I figured you might as well."
> "And we don't really have rules about airspace because people normally can't fly where I come from. I guess it makes sense that there would be rules about that here, though."
>You aren't sure, perhaps she doesn't like strangers knowing about her dreams?
>"Is that so?" she says. "Interesting."
>"I would imagine common sense would dictate that without any real need for consideration. It is rather like the left leg being next to the right, wouldn't you agree?"
> "I truly mean it, the flowers are beautiful! The cloest I ever see to this degree of work and beauty is on a far smaller scale, and even then it doesn't seem this beautiful. Anyone who can appriciate nature's beauty, even if only slightly, would likely say the same."
>"Don't you think you're laying it on just a little too thick to be believed?" says Yuka.
>You think you are drawing close to the southern edge of the garden.
>_
-
> "The best I can offer is that my common sense has been shot since I got here, as evidenced by my asking someone else about their dreams without prompt or permission. I've seen so many amazing things I never dreamed possible. I do suppose you are correct, though."
-
>"I know it seems silly, but until now it was a completely foreign idea to me. Like... well, if something was used to having only one leg, in the metaphor you used. I'd never seen anyone fly on their own before today, let alone done it myself... but all things considered, you are right."
>"And... I might be exaggerating since there were so few flowers in the world I remember. So many places were built up and covered in stone, rather than grown with such love..."
-
> "The best I can offer is that my common sense has been shot since I got here, as evidenced by my asking someone else about their dreams without prompt or permission. I've seen so many amazing things I never dreamed possible. I do suppose you are correct, though."
>"I know it seems silly, but until now it was a completely foreign idea to me. Like... well, if something was used to having only one leg, in the metaphor you used. I'd never seen anyone fly on their own before today, let alone done it myself... but all things considered, you are right."
>"And... I might be exaggerating since there were so few flowers in the world I remember. So many places were built up and covered in stone, rather than grown with such love..."
>"Well, that's a good sign you shouldn't just be blundering about!"
>She stops. "Ah, here we are."
>Yuka kneels down and picks up a small, flat wooden box, a few potted flowers in it.
>"Here you go," she says, turning around and holding it out toward you, still smiling.
>_
-
>Can we carry this safely?
>examine box, flowers
-
> "Thank you."
> If nothing would stop us, take the box.
-
>Can we carry this safely?
>examine box, flowers
>You think so, but it is going to occupy both of your hands, and make it difficult to carry your Branch.
>The box is made of light, sturdy wood. There are eight potted flowers in them, all of them of apparently the same type. They have upturned petals that fold upwards toward a central point, red fading to yellow in color.
> "Thank you."
> If nothing would stop us, take the box.
>Yuka nods. "That's a good girl."
>You take the box
>_
-
> "So, ah, whats this for?"
-
>"Would you like me to help plant these?"
-
> "So, ah, whats this for?"
>"Would you like me to help plant these?"
>"See, that wasn't so hard," she says. "You're going to find the best spot to plant these, and plant them! Together or separate, it doesn't matter. They'll want about 6-8 hours of sunlight, at least, and some shade. Not too close to a tree, they'll starve."
>_
-
>How much do we know about gardening?
>Momentary stun at how pleasant a punishment this is.
>"Um... should this be near the edges of your field, or wherever I can find a good spot?"
-
>How much do we know about gardening?
>Momentary stun at how pleasant a punishment this is.
>"Um... should this be near the edges of your field, or wherever I can find a good spot?"
>Not a whole lot. You know how not to stab yourself with a spade.
>This...doesn't seem so bad.
>"Why would I need more flowers here?" Yuka says. "I want you to take them out into the world."
>_
-
> "Uh, the world? You mean the outside world?"
-
> "Uh, the world? You mean the outside world?"
>Don't be this stupid.
>"Alright. Is there anywhere in particular you'd recommend?"
-
>Don't be this stupid.
>"Alright. Is there anywhere in particular you'd recommend?"
>"I'll leave it up to you," says Yuka. "But do be aware, if you try to be lazy about it, or pawn the task off on someone else, I will be aware of it. And I will be very displeased in how you treat my flowers. But it is fine to ask others for advice. Is there anything else you need to know?"
>_
-
>Swallow hard.
>"Would it be alright if I asked you for advice on how to plant them? I'm afraid I have no experience with it."
>If yes and she doesn't go into an explanation on her own, "How can I estimate how much sunlight they'd get? These need... six to eight hours, right?"
-
>Swallow hard.
>"Would it be alright if I asked you for advice on how to plant them? I'm afraid I have no experience with it.
>If yes and she doesn't go into an explanation on her own, "How can I estimate how much sunlight they'd get? These need... six to eight hours, right?"
>Maybe this wasn't so great after all...
>"About 5 inches deep," she says. "The pots will guide you there."
>"Just look where the shadows will fall along the east and west," she says. "Six to eight hours is a lower limit, but they do like some shade, too, so don't just put them in the middle of a field. Anything else?"
>_
-
>Resist temptation to ask for a spade or anything - we're in no place to complain about getting our hands dirty. And they're full enough already.
>How's our grip on the flowerbox and the rest of our stuff?
>"There are eight flowers here - how many different locations should I plant them in?"
>"Should I worry about how much water they get?"
-
>Resist temptation to ask for a spade or anything - we're in no place to complain about getting our hands dirty. And they're full enough already.
>How's our grip on the flowerbox and the rest of our stuff?
>"There are eight flowers here - how many different locations should I plant them in?"
>"Should I worry about how much water they get?"
>You have a good hold on the box.
>"That's up to you. All of them in the same spot, spread them around. All I care is your place them beautifully. And again, I will know if you try to be lazy about it. Afterward, I would like my box back. And who knows, maybe you'll impress me."
>"Ah yes. If normal grass can thrive there, they'll be fine. Anything else?"
>_
-
>"Nothing else important comes to mind at the moment... but out of curiosity, what are these flowers called?"
>Do we still have our Byakuren's branch comfortably?
-
>"Nothing else important comes to mind at the moment... but out of curiosity, what are these flowers called?"
>Do we still have our Byakuren's branch comfortably?
>"Fire Lilies" says Yuka.
>You are holding it under the box. It's not useful, but at least you can keep it with you.
>"Ten..." says Yuka.
>_
-
> gulp, can't be good...
> "I'll go to plant them now, unless you have more business with me."
> If Yuka does not stop us, make our way away from the feild, making sure not to drop the flowers.
-
> gulp, can't be good...
> "I'll go to plant them now, unless you have more business with me."
> If Yuka does not stop us, make our way away from the feild, making sure not to drop the flowers.
>You don't like the sound of that at all.
>You tell her you'll get on it right away. "Nine..."
>Deciding she is doing the exact opposite of trying to stop you, you get away from the field as quickly as you can without dropping your payload, while she continues to count down. You leave the field by the time she gets to four, and she doesn't seem interested in chasing you down once you're out of earshot.
>You are in at the edge of grassy plain. This place doesn't seem to be traversed much by human or youkai; with grasses that reach higher than your waist as far as the eye can see; at least to the west. To the north, you can see Yuka's Flower Field. To the east a little ways is the road, and beyond it a hill covered with white flowers. To the south, you can see farmland. Obvious exits are North, South, East, and West.
>_
-
>Going back to Reimu's with the flowers might be a bad idea. That lovestruck fairy might try to destroy them out of spite. Also, our focus is pretty shot with the box around.
>Follow the road back towards town. This area is a little dangerous, and we should get some distance from Yuuka to get started on the flowers before she changes her mind. Also, we should find out whether there's anything un-benign about her interest in spreading flowers around. Or at least this kind of flower.
-
>Going back to Reimu's with the flowers might be a bad idea. That lovestruck fairy might try to destroy them out of spite. Also, our focus is pretty shot with the box around.
>Follow the road back towards town. This area is a little dangerous, and we should get some distance from Yuuka to get started on the flowers before she changes her mind. Also, we should find out whether there's anything un-benign about her interest in spreading flowers around. Or at least this kind of flower.
>Unfortunately, you'll have to set the flowers aside if you get into any scraps.
>You head back toward the road, and follow it into the town.
>You hover past the farm fields, seeing farms at work doing...something to their crops, you're not sure what. There is an abundance of rice here, but you noticing some fields with other crops as well. Most interesting is the occasional sign that reads "Do no tamper with these fields, or I will end you. We all eat from these." with a caricature of a very irate Reimu painted on them.
>The farmers pay you no mind, and you soon find yourself near the ship-turned-temple once more.
>_
-
> Wait, don't Fire Lilies symbolize death to the recipient when given as a gift?
> Would these technicly count as a gift?
-
> Wait, don't Fire Lilies symbolize death to the recipient when given as a gift?
> Would these technicly count as a gift?
>Do they? That would be bad, wouldn't it? Especially if that kind of thing actually means something here...
>You're not sure. For you, it's more of a penitence, you think. You might be able to give them as gifts, but Yuka said something about pawning the job off on others...
>_
-
>Asking permission to plant it there yourself may be a good idea, however, especially if there's some power behind the flower. Thanks, Ruro!
>In light of the above, token Mario reference.
>See what else is around town right now!
>If anyone's just hanging around the temple, consider accosting them to ask about the flower. Maybe offer to plant one if Byakuren would like it.
>Failing that, investigate what's changed in town and whether there's anyone to talk to at the moment.
>Be the other girl.
-
> make sure Yuka doesn't shank us
-
> make sure Yuka doesn't shank us
>"Too late, changed my mind!" says Yuka, before she stabs you in the back with her umbrella
>"Bitch!" Parsee cries, as she shanks Yuka, "That's my job!" Then she shanks you for good measure.