Yukari Quest - A Z-machine Adventure

[Kilgamayan]

Waaaaaaaaiiit a minute here.

> Recall most recent notable disturbances in great barrier integrity, including when they occurred.

[Hello Purvis]

>Yuyuko it is, then.

>She could do with a visit, you decide.

> Recall most recent notable disturbances in great barrier integrity, including when they occurred.

>The last one of any concern was when people from another world came and went in a machine designed to bridge dimensions. This thing had been bothering you for some time, but it is difficult to catch; objects appearing in Gensokyo aren't unusual, and when it disappears, it is difficult to follow under the best of conditions if you don't know where it's going.  But, the situation has been handled to you satisfaction, they won't be doing it again anytime soon.
>Before that, you had found a latent and largely unused pathway to Avalon, after Nue traveled through it. From what you can tell, it was originally a conduit for the dead which had been torn open. You're glad that it was found before some Seelie could meander through and start causing a ruckus, or some human knight. You don't know which would be worse: the Round Table getting a toehold in Gensokyo or the Seelie Court...
>Thankfully, the incident with Bhava-Agra falling into Gensokyo didn't really affect the border too much. The lands are already strongly linked and highly compatable. While Bhava-Agra's existence as a separate entity was certainly in danger, Gensokyo had little to worry about on that front.

>_

[O4rfish]

>Recall details of Hakurei bloodline, number of previous Miko, and own role in training such.

[Kilgamayan]

> How long ago was the most recent barrier disruption?

[Hello Purvis]

>Recall details of Hakurei bloodline, number of previous Miko, and own role in training such.

>You're not certain when the bloodline came into existence, but it's held your attention for some centuries now. They tend toward strong spiritual power, which often manifests as an innate ability to fly and practically perfect control over that flight. By and large, the family has been reclusive and in older days, sometimes suspected to be practically youkai themselves. However, until Reimu's time, they have generally been some of humanity's finest against youkai. Some of them have hated or reviled you to the end, others have been more accepting of your friendship, and a couple have been quite receptive indeed.
>You don't know the previous shrine maiden all that well, to be honest. But you do that she was unlike her daughter in a lot of ways. Her innate potential was not particularly strong, but she made up for this with rigorous training and rock solid faith. As such, while she was not particularly worrisome in terms of her offensive capacity, her defense was as unshakable as the stars; she was a fine guardian for the human village indeed. You know she had some friendship with Kasen, but she was seldom more than coolly polite to you.
>You don't have much role in training the Hakurei bloodline, that burden falls the bloodline itself and to Genjii. You are not certain just how much that turtle knows, but he tells little.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> How long ago was the most recent notable barrier disruption?

[Hello Purvis]

> How long ago was the most recent notable barrier disruption?

>About a year, now.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Ah, but things here can grow so dreadfully dull without a few problems for our intrepid incident solvers to busy themselves with, no? It would hardly do to let them grow complacent."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Ah, but things here can grow so dreadfully dull without a few problems for our intrepid incident solvers to busy themselves with, no? It would hardly do to let them grow complacent."

>"I think they'll find something to squabble over soon enough," says Ran. "I suppose we could provide something, though."

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Hmmm... a thought for later, perhaps. I trust things here have not been altogether dreadful while I was asleep?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Hmmm... a thought for later, perhaps. I trust things here have not been altogether dreadful while I was asleep?"

>"Things were a bit on the snowy side this year," says Ran. "but otherwise, it seems everyone has managed to behave themselves. Oh, you'll be pleased to know that Chen has been doing well with her lessons lately. She managed to get 97% on her last history test."
>Even if her back is turned to you so she can work on her preparations, you can practically see the smile.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>"Oh, how very impressive! - doubtlessly inspired by such a studious role-model."
>At about what level of material are the classes Chen attends?
>And is this sort of academic performance usual for her?

[Oldmansour]

>Is Chen home schooled or does she attend that half-beast's school in the village?
>Relationship with Keine Kamishirasawa.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Oh, how very impressive! - doubtlessly inspired by such a studious role-model."
>At about what level of material are the classes Chen attends?
>And is this sort of academic performance usual for her?

>Is Chen home schooled or does she attend that half-beast's school in the village?
>Relationship with Keine Kamishirasawa.

>"Oh, you're just trying to sweet talk me, now" says Ran. "But it won't get dinner done any faster."
>Chen attends the school in the human village.
>There isn't really a distinct level of material there, Keine comes up with a curriculum more or less as she goes, and has to tailor it to individuals. While there is one class, given that she has students of all ages, she effectively has to teach several lessons to various parts of class during the course of a day.
>Chen usually does well in the short term, but this is quite good even for her. She tends to have problems retaining things in the long term, but that is an issue most people have.
>As far as Keine, she is one of the people you feel the need to keep a close eye on, particularly due to her relationship with Mokou.  You know Keine has altered the past on at least one occasion, and this bothers you deeply. Time and history are largely outside of your grasp, and you really don't trust anyone who can manipulate it. While they are reasonably harmless right now, they are an earthquake waiting to happen. Sooner or later Mokou's immortality and Keine's mortality are going to cause one or the other to do something stupid. Unfortunately, it is also highly problematic to try to nip this problem in the bud, given how obsessed Mokou can be with revenge; you really would rather not have her dogging your steps for the rest of your days.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>In a tone of lightly faux dismay: "Now Ran, surely you can't think that every word which passes my lips is part of some calculated ploy?"

[Oldmansour]

>Assess potential of finagling a three-way involving those two, without either one of them trying to nuke us afterwards. They are both fine, fetching specimens, after all. And pursuing only one would invoke the wrath of the other, and that's more trouble than it's worth.

[Hello Purvis]

>In a tone of lightly faux dismay: "Now Ran, surely you can't think that every word which passes my lips is part of some calculated ploy?"

>"No, but it's a safe bet regardless," she says.

>Assess potential of finagling a three-way involving those two, without either one of them trying to nuke us afterwards. They are both fine, fetching specimens, after all. And pursuing only one would invoke the wrath of the other, and that's more trouble than it's worth.

>Neither of them are really interesting. Keine is vaguely annoying; you never cared much for hakutaku, not only for their role in setting history, however useful it may be, but for their willingness to assist the emperor of Japan in the era when humans and youkai were at constant odds. You suppose she is nice enough, but there's a difference between being a respectable yeoman and being a peon, and Keine certainly falls into the latter category. And Mokou...yech. Who wants to bother with someone that's just going to probably declare an eternal vendetta against you once it's over, and the attendant personality along the way? And she is probably all stringy. 
>Of course, you can interact with them on friendly terms, and have done so. They aren't bad people, you feel. Just they don't interest you further, and you are well aware that they are a disaster waiting to happen.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Is Ran ticklish?

[Hello Purvis]

>Is Ran ticklish?

>She is, just along her sides.

>_

[DracoOmega]

>Smile faintly
>"Of course it is. But in this, I am simply happy to see you happy, dear."

>Wait for an appropriate moment where Ran isn't using the knife with any vigor (or looking in this direction) and then subtly give her a long-range gap-assisted tickling along the ticklish spots on her sides, without actually getting up from the table

[Hello Purvis]

>Smile faintly
>"Of course it is. But in this, I am simply happy to see you happy, dear."

>Wait for an appropriate moment where Ran isn't using the knife with any vigor (or looking in this direction) and then subtly give her a long-range gap-assisted tickling along the ticklish spots on her sides, without actually getting up from the table

>You smile, and quietly open a couple of gaps along her side, then insert your fingers to them at just the right moment.
>"I know you -ACK!" she starts, before your fingers brush against her sides, and her response gives way to peals of quick, high-pitched laughter, before she she squirms away from the counter. "Ah, quit it!"

>_

[Oldmansour]

>Gap ourselves behind her and give her a big hug.
>"But you produce just the cutest 'acks', Ran dearest."

[Hello Purvis]

>Gap ourselves behind her and give her a big hug.
>"But you produce just the cutest 'acks', Ran dearest."

>Gapping behind Ran is a little more difficult than it is for most people, she has quite a lot of tails, and you wouldn't want to interpose yourself among them incorrectly and sprain one.  But, you can see a place to do so, and quietly open a gap behind her as she gets her bearings back. Stepping through it, your find yourself waist deep in warm fluffy tails. She starts a little as she feels them brush against you, but she is well used to this and relaxes against you as you wrap your arms around her.
>"I'm not certain I should be happy about that," she says as she shifts her tails around to accommodate you more comfortably. "if it's going to inspire you to tickle me out of the blue!"

>_

[Oldmansour]

>What is Ran's stance on people, namely us, 'mofumofu'-ing her tails?

[Hello Purvis]

>What is Ran's stance on people, namely us, 'mofumofu'-ing her tails?

>You and sometimes Chen are the only people she allows to do it. She doesn't like it when you do such things out of nowhere, but at this point it's hardly nowhere.

>_

[Oldmansour]

>Reply with a sideways "Ohooo? You'd prefer I do... something else?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Reply with a sideways "Ohooo? You'd prefer I do... something else?"

>She chuckles. "It would be nice if you handled the dishes."

>_

[capt. h]

>She chuckles. "It would be nice if you handled the dishes."

> Handle the dishes.

If only to catch Ran off guard.

Also, since it's come up twice,

> Do we have any interest in attempting to nip the Keine/Mokou thing in the bud, or would we just as soon let it take its course for now?

> For that matter, are there any issues we would be interested in attending to this afternoon?

[Hello Purvis]

> Handle the dishes.

> Do we have any interest in attempting to nip the Keine/Mokou thing in the bud, or would we just as soon let it take its course for now?

> For that matter, are there any issues we would be interested in attending to this afternoon?

>You don't think there are actually much in the way of dishes right now. She was being witty again.
>It is largely too late, they've already fallen for each other. The best you can hope for is reasonably mutual breakup sometime down the road. Which is unlikely. Either they will stay together until the march of time leads one or the other to do something foolish, or they will separate messily, and Mokou will have another target for her ire.
>You don't have anything in the way of things that need to be done. At some point, you should look into examining the barrier yourself, but that will take some time, and you prefer to leave it for a full day typically.

>_

[Hanzo K.]

>Well, let's review what we do for fun aside from messing with people, hm?
>For that matter, let's review our opinions of some of Gensokyo's 'Movers and Shakers', as the people of the Outside put it.