Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: 日巫子 on February 17, 2011, 01:35:11 AM
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> You are Mizuhashi Parsee, and the surface is messed up. But it's getting better!
> You've lived Underground for almost your entire life, but you've finally taken a trip to the surface for various reasons. An earthquake happened, Hell's Moon is missing, Koishi's missing, Yuugi's the only Deva underground, and Suwako's spellcards are unreadable.
> You've found out that Komeiji Koishi, Satori's little sister, has been missing for quite some time. You've met up with Yuugi and got important information about Konngara, one of the Devas who left for the surface. You've visited the Palace of the Earth Spirits and formally accepted the task of finding Koishi. You've found out from Utsuho that the nuclear reactor has stopped working, and that a mysterious "snake lady" hasn't visited for months. When you got to the surface, you at least found out that Hell's Moon went and flipped its shit, perma-killing fairies and possibly taking out the legendary red-white and black-white. You've met a lot of surface dwellers. You've been to Kourindou and the Bamboo Forest. You've saved Koishi. After a series of shenanigans, you've obtained Nazrin. You've discovered that the comatose girl is actually Youkai Mountain's Moriya Suwako. You've met Konngara, discovered Reimu's fate, and learned about Kikuri. You and Nazrin have experienced more shenanigans on Youkai Mountain. You are officially on bad terms with Yasaka Kanako, one of the goddesses at the Moriya Shrine. You've finally been to Cirno's secret fairy hideout and met Hourai, an animate doll running errands. With the help of Konngara, you've moved Reimu to the Palace of the Earth Spirits. You've successfully hooked up Kogasa and Sanae. You've discovered Satori's feelings for Reimu. Satori has revealed that the eye-shaped orb has thoughts. You've reunited Konngara and Yuugi. Konngara has used dibs, the most powerful force in the universe, on Sanae. You've retrieved Suwako from the hospital, found out that Yamame and Kisume are being discharged, and met Satsuki Rin after what feels like forever. You've discovered that Yasaka has taken Utsuho from the Underground and is planning to use her to blow up the moon. You've met Utsuho, who revealed that Yasaka is going to have her blow up the moon. Konngara has made her move on Sanae. You've taken Nitori to Kourindou to get back her Extending Arm and look for her backpack, but got more than you bargained for: Kourin has told you of Marisa's fate. You've left Nitori with Kourin and Tokiko and traveled to the puppeteer Alice Margatroid's house on a kitsune that you lured out of the forest with a plate of fried tofu. You've broken into Alice's house and corned her. You've learned how Marisa really died and what Alice's "project" is.
> You are currently talking to Alice about her plans for Marisa's revival.
Inventory:
> Foreign-looking dress (currently worn)
> Scarf (currently worn)
> x1 newspaper fragment
> It has a missing ad for Komeiji Koishi on it. You'd better hang onto this for reference.
> x1 chair
> Souvenir from the lake mansion's gate.
> x1 bottle of spring
> It's a sealed bottled with a pretty flower inside. It's a one-use item that doubles as an attack--a strong gust of wind--and a way of being able to produce flowers.
> x1 seeing stone
> A triangular stone with a circle inscribed in it. If you hold it up to your eye, you can see things that are normally invisible.
> ☼3000
> Part of the reward you got for getting Koishi home safely.
> Nazrin
> Carrying around a mouse youkai in your pocket like a boss.
> x11 stones
> They're not magical or anything, but that doesn't mean you can't throw them at people.
> x1 gold key
> A key strung on a cord like a necklace.
Quests:
> Learn more about Konngara
>While Yuugi did give me a good amount of information about her, there might be some more information about her that might prove useful in the near future. You've recently learned that Konngara might have something to do with Hell's Moon. She was also trying to find a "Hakurei Shrine" for some reason.
You found Konngara at the Hakurei Shrine, and learned from her that Reimu is still alive but in critical condition, and that there's a girl named "Kikuri" in Hell's Moon. You still don't know what Kikuri is doing on the surface, though, but it seems like a case of Communication Break.
> Immaterial and Missing Suika
> You've learned that Suika must still be alive, but she has been 'gapped.' You don't know what that means, but you figure that Yuugi would want to know. By the way, this is all Yakumo's fault.
> Red Shrine Maiden Needs Healing Badly.
> You've found out where Reimu was, but she's barely alive thanks to Kikuri. You want Eirin to come to the shrine so she can use her magical healing powers on her, since 'Yakumo' isn't doing enough.
Now that Eirin has used her magical healing powers on Reimu, you've decided to bring Reimu to the Palace of the Earth Spirits so that Satori can take care of her and Konngara can leave the shrine. All that's left is to wait for Reimu to wake up.
Jealousy gauge: (Capacity: 8/9)
>"Is there anything else you're going need for this?"
> Alice fidgets. "Ugh...Off the top of my head, there's one person..."
> _
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>"And she is?"
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>"And she is?"
> "....K-Kazami...Yuuka..."
> Nazrin squeaks in surprise.
> _
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> Add Quest: Alice's Love Doll (or Love Colored Doll). Add information relevant to the mission to revive Marisa.
> "... Who?"
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>"Who's Kazami Yuuka? Do you know her, Nazrin?"
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Wai, wai, wait.... She preserved her body. She can snatch her soul. What's the doll thing about? Where's the doll part? The joints, the happy smile, deadly war tools of cute death...
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> Add Quest: Alice's Love Doll (or Love Colored Doll). Add information relevant to the mission to revive Marisa.
> "... Who?"
>"Who's Kazami Yuuka? Do you know her, Nazrin?"
> Quest Added: Alice's Love Colored Doll
> Marisa is dead, but Alice has a plan to revive her...as a doll. Why is she doing that when she has the body preserved? She's trying to contact her mother, who knows someone who knows someone who can retrieve Marisa's soul. She has completed the shell itself, but she needs Kazami Yuuka.
> "L-like I said...Kazami Yuuka, a really powerful and dangerous y-youkai. S-she gave me this bracelet, a-and, planted the garden in my f-front yard..."
> "Someone with that name visited the flower shop in the Human Village before, I heard," Nazrin explains.
> _
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> "Bracelet? You mean the shocking one?" Point at the golden chain.
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>"Because I've seen other things like it."
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> "Bracelet? You mean the shocking one?" Point at the golden chain.
> Alice nods. "She said it looked nice on me."
>"Because I've seen other things like it."
> "Eh? R-really?"
> _
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>"Eh. I deal with devas of the mountain. I'll go find her. Where does she live at?"
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Let's try to get the chain as a reward for helping her.
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Good idear.
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>"Eh. I deal with devas of the mountain. I'll go find her. Where does she live at?"
> Alice raises an eyebrow. "Hah...The Garden of the Sun...near the Human V-Village. Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?"
> _
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>"I live with oni."
>That's really all that needs to be said on the subject.
>"So, if I do this, can I get that chain? I've kinda been collecting those things."
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> "So, if you can get Marisa's soul back, why put it in a doll when you've got a perfectly good body?"
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>"Since you got it preserved and stuff."
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>"I live with oni."
>That's really all that needs to be said on the subject.
>"So, if I do this, can I get that chain? I've kinda been collecting those things."
> This shuts her up.
> "It's a present from Yuuka, but I guess so."
> She sounds like you asked her to sell her soul to the devil.
> "So, if you can get Marisa's soul back, why put it in a doll when you've got a perfectly good body?"
>"Since you got it preserved and stuff."
> You bring up a very valid point.
> "Marisa's body isn't suitable..." Alice pats her neck. "And, I'm not sure on the details. To retrieve the soul, the body needs to be intact so, um, they can synchronize...? I'm not very knowledgeable about magic dealing with death."
> _
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> Eh, it's not like we are any more knowledgable then her.
Anything else we need to know? I'd like to find out if Hourai ever got back.
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> Eh, it's not like we are any more knowledgable then her.
> Well, you don't know anything about it, either.
> At this moment, Shanghai comes out from under the bed. Alice frowns.
> "Geez, Shanghai...."
> _
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> "By the way, did Hourai ever get back?"
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> "By the way, did Hourai ever get back?"
> "No, which means she's still getting my medication or something h-happened to her..." Alice suddenly looks horrified. Her fingers twitch, and after a moment a few green-clad dolls wielding claymores come flying into the room. "That's it...? What happened to the London series?"
> _
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> Panic, and grab Alice by her chapet or whatever that shawl thingy is called.
> "Hey! Call those dolls off!"
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> Panic, and grab Alice by her chapet or whatever that shawl thingy is called.
> "Hey! Call those dolls off!"
> You panic and grab Alice by her capelet. The dolls simulataneously fall to the floor, lifeless.
> "Get off me!" Alice tries to push you away.
> Shanghai rushes forward and headbutts you.
> Nazrin jumps to her feet. "Wait! Wait!"
> _
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> Headbutt that doll back! Kamawahsie... Keine Aki style!
> "What the hell d'ya think you're doing?!"
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> Headbutt that doll back! Kamawahsie... Keine Aki style!
> "What the hell d'ya think you're doing?!"
> You try your best to imitate Keine's headbutt. Shanghai is sent rolling across the floor.
> "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Alice cries.
> "Wait! Calm down!" Nazrin waves her dowsing rods around.
> _
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> "You're the one bringing those sword dolls in here!"
> Get ready for a fight!
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> "You're the one bringing those sword dolls in here!"
> Get ready for a fight!
> "They're scouters!"
> You prepare yourself for a fight!
> _
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> "It still scared me!"
> Jeez... what a loony. Try to calm down.
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> "It still scared me!"
> Jeez... what a loony. Try to calm down.
> You let go of Alice's capelet and try to calm down. Alice takes a few deep breaths.
> "They're scouters..."
> _
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> "They still had big swords 'n came outta nowhere..."
> Deep breath, deep breath...
> "Okay, so, Hourai hasn't got back yet? Last I saw, she was with some fairies, but they should've got her to the mansion..."
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> "They still had big swords 'n came outta nowhere..."
> Deep breath, deep breath...
> "Okay, so, Hourai hasn't got back yet? Last I saw, she was with some fairies, but they should've got her to the mansion..."
> "I can't leave my dolls unarmed."
> Deep breaths...Nazrin sits back down and picks up Shanghai.
> "She was intercepted...? But, if she got the letter to Patchouli it should be good, as long as she was able to leave afterwards..."
> _
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> "Huh... I should ask Cirno later, then... Hourai's a nice dolly, unlike a certain someone." Glare at Shanghai.
> "All right, well, I'm outta here... Just bring back this Yuuka person, right? What does she look like?"
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> "Huh... I should ask Cirno later, then... Hourai's a nice dolly, unlike a certain someone." Glare at Shanghai.
> "All right, well, I'm outta here... Just bring back this Yuuka person, right? What does she look like?"
> "I...don't know who 'Cirno' is..."
> Shanghai trembles and jumps out of Nazrin's arms.
> You ask Alice what Yuuka looks like.
> "Green hair, red eyes, red plaid clothes, parasol..."
> _
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> "Oh, you mean that lady in the torn up picture downstairs? Okay, yeah, I think I can find her. I'll also keep an eye out for Hourai."
> Stand up and brush self off.
> "I'll be back. Do me a favor and, well, don't send your army out after me again. Damned things did more damage to your house than to me."
> Walk downstairs.
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>"Hey, mind if we take some fried tofu?"
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> "Oh, you mean that lady in the torn up picture downstairs? Okay, yeah, I think I can find her. I'll also keep an eye out for Hourai."
> Stand up and brush self off.
> "I'll be back. Do me a favor and, well, don't send your army out after me again. Damned things did more damage to your house than to me."
> Walk downstairs.
> Alice nods.
> You stand up and brush yourself off. Before heading out, you tell Alice not to send her doll army after you.
> "Oh..."
> You and Nazrin head downstairs.
>"Hey, mind if we take some fried tofu?"
> Oh, yeah. You ask Alice if she has any fried tofu.
> "What...? I don't have anything like that."
> _
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>Head downstairs. Put the key back where we got it. Don't want to mess with the ritual.
>Head outside unless something awesome happens.
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>Head downstairs. Put the key back where we got it. Don't want to mess with the ritual.
>Head outside unless something awesome happens.
> You return the key to its rightful place as an accessory on the dress. You then head outside.
> Now that you're outside, you realize what a mess the front yard has become: the garden is all but destroyed, the house-sized doll is in pieces, and the surviving dolls are trying to pick up their fallen comrades and fix the hole in the roof.
> Kitsune is still sitting there.
> 'Well?'
> _
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>"Hope isn't lost for Marisa. We just need to find someone to help out. Oh, Kitsune, this is Nazrin. She's my assistant."
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>"Hope isn't lost for Marisa. We just need to find someone to help out. Oh, Kitsune, this is Nazrin. She's my assistant."
> 'I see.'
> You introduce Nazrin to Kitsune.
> "I'm not your--" Nazrin begins to protest, but then she realizes that Kitsune is looking at her. "Um, hi," she squeaks.
> _
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>"Oh, I didn't get time to introduce myself, properly, did I? I'm Parsee Mizuhashi."
>Bow.
>"Um, it's really a pleasure to meet you, and that's no exaggeration."
>Try not to be too visibly nervous.
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>"Oh, I didn't get time to introduce myself, properly, did I? I'm Parsee Mizuhashi."
>Bow.
>"Um, it's really a pleasure to meet you, and that's no exaggeration."
>Try not to be too visibly nervous.
> Kitsune are to be treated with the utmost respect, so you bow and introduce yourself. Nazrin follows suit.
> Kitsune nods her head in response. It's hard not to be visibly nervous.
> 'Likewise, I am Ran. It's been a while since I've seen someone excited to see me.'
> _
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>"Really? Wow. People you meet must not know how good they have it! Because, um...this is kinda one of the best things that's ever happened to me."
>Pause. Worry at sleeves a little.
>"Um, how does Kourin know you, anyways?"
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>"And why did I need your help to get here? Not that I'm complaining."
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>"Really? Wow. People you meet must not know how good they have it! Because, um...this is kinda one of the best things that's ever happened to me."
>Pause. Worry at sleeves a little.
>"Um, how does Kourin know you, anyways?"
> 'Hehheh. That makes me happy to hear.' She's so polite.
> You fidget a little.
> 'My former mistress used to supply his store. We've met but once before.
>"And why did I need your help to get here? Not that I'm complaining."
> 'Not many people know of the puppeteer, much less where she lives. I just know my way around the forest.'
> _
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>"Well, I'm happy she's such a recluse, in this case! Um...do you know anything about a youkai living in the flower fields? Yuka or something?"
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>"Well, I'm happy she's such a recluse, in this case! Um...do you know anything about a youkai living in the flower fields? Yuka or something?"
> Shut-in!
> 'Kazami Yuuka...She's a very powerful youkai who is not to be taken lightly, and a liar. Take everything she tells you with a grain of salt, and be careful not to touch the flowers.
> "Um..." Nazrin speaks up. "From what I've heard of her, she's really polite when she's in the village..."
> 'That is true.'
> _
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> "Does she come to the village very often?"
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> "Well, we need to get her over here. You seem to be familiar with her: do you have any suggestions?"
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> "Does she come to the village very often?"
> 'Very rarely.'
> "Well, we need to get her over here. You seem to be familiar with her: do you have any suggestions?"
> Kitsune swishes her tails. 'I know her, but I don't know her, so to speak. Just don't let her get you riled up, be respectful when you speak to her, and you should be fine.
> _
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> Well... she can't be as bad as oni or Yasaka... can she?
> "Thank you for the information. Could you give us a lift to Kourin's?"
> Anticipate kitsune riding!
Feel free to change the destination to Yuuka's place if you guys think we should head there straight away. I figured that letting Kourin and Nitori know about the resurrection project might be an idea.
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> Well... she can't be as bad as oni or Yasaka... can she?
> "Thank you for the information. Could you give us a lift to Kourin's?"
> Anticipate kitsune riding!
> Even if that's the case, there's always something worse out there.
> You thank the kitsune and ask if she can take you and Nazrin to Kourindou.
> 'Certainly.'
> This is going to be so awesome.
> Kitsune lifts you and Nazrin off to her back, turns away from Alice's house, and sprints back into the trees. Nazrin squeals with delight.
> _
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>Yeah, we're probably gonna squeal too.
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>Yeah, we're probably gonna squeal too.
> You can't help but squeal, too. It's not every day you get to ride on the back of a kitsune of all things.
> You eventually reach Kourindou. The sparrow is outside with Tokiko, picking through the clutter outside.
> _
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>Dismount.
>"Um, are you going to wait here for us, or are you done with us for now?"
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>Dismount.
>"Um, are you going to wait here for us, or are you done with us for now?"
> You and Nazrin dismount.
> 'The latter. As of today, I have two missing children to look for.'
> With that, the kitsune turns and starts to walk away.
> _
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>
Before she leaves, hug her around the leg!
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No no.
>"Wait! Wait wait wait!"
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> MORE lost people?! Oh well, couldn't hurt to ask...
> "Missing children? What do they look like?"
> Not volunteering to search for 'em, but we should at least keep an eye out.
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> Before she leaves, hug her around the leg!
> ぎゅうう
>"Wait! Wait wait wait!"
> The kitsune stops.
> 'What is it?'
> MORE lost people?! Oh well, couldn't hurt to ask...
> "Missing children? What do they look like?"
> Not volunteering to search for 'em, but we should at least keep an eye out.
> You've lost count of how many people have gone missing during this whole incident.
> 'A nekomata, a small black cat with two tails and an earring. There's also a celestial child with long blue hair, black hat with peaches on it. There's already someone looking for her who asked for my assistance.'
> Looking for Koishi was enough, and you have enough on your plate without...a celestial?
> _
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> "Okay, we'll keep our eyes out for them, but in return..."
> blushblush
> "Could... could I hug you?"
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> Do we know what a celestial is?
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>Hell, consider dropping some other jobs to help out Ran. She's more awesome.
>"Maybe if you stayed with us, you'd find them? We've been all over."
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> "Okay, we'll keep our eyes out for them, but in return..."
> blushblush
> "Could... could I hug you?"
> You agree to keep an eye out for them, but in return you want a hug.
> blushblushblush
> The kitsune seems to giggle. 'Of course.'
> Nazrin jumps up and down. "Me too! Me too!"
> Do we know what a celestial is?
> They live in Heaven and live off of peaches from what you've heard.
> Does that celestial's hat spawn peaches, then?
>Hell, consider dropping some other jobs to help out Ran. She's more awesome.
>"Maybe if you stayed with us, you'd find them? We've been all over."
> Ran's awesome. You wonder what jobs you could drop to help her.
> 'I suppose that wouldn't hurt, although in my current form I might not be able to follow you everywhere.'
> _
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>"Well...when we go somewhere you can't, like underground, then...we'll figure something out!"
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>"Well...when we go somewhere you can't, like underground, then...we'll figure something out!"
> Ran nods.
> Nazrin has already hugged one of her tails. "So soooft~"
> _
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> Ponder how we'll explain this to Yuugi.
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>Grin like Yuugi just said "
Let's get in the hot tub, I do".
>"That'll be perfect! Just let me tell Kourin and everyone everything, and I'll be ready to go.
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> Ponder how we'll explain this to Yuugi.
> There's really nothing that needs to be explained.
>Grin like Yuugi just said "Let's get in the hot tub, I do".
>"That'll be perfect! Just let me tell Kourin and everyone everything, and I'll be ready to go.
> Kyaa~
> Ran nods again. 'You go do that, then.'
> _
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>Head inside.
>"Okay, guys, shut up, I have some news. Turns out, Alice is pretty sure she can save Marisa, sort of."
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>Head inside.
>"Okay, guys, shut up, I have some news. Turns out, Alice is pretty sure she can save Marisa, sort of."
> You head inside and get straight into the point.
> Nitori is sitting on a crate next to the counter. When you break the news, she looks up and her eyes widen. "Marisa...is going to be saved?!"
> Kourin looks over at you. "What?"
> You hear Tokiko and the sparrow cheering with excitement outside outside, seemingly having finally noticed Ran.
> _
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> "Yeah, Alice is trying to do some doll magic stuff, but she's trying to track down her soul or something. She also needs the help of somebody named Yuuka Kazami. She sound familiar?"
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> "Yeah, Alice is trying to do some doll magic stuff, but she's trying to track down her soul or something. She also needs the help of somebody named Yuuka Kazami. She sound familiar?"
> Kourin makes a face. "Ugh."
> This all seems to fly over Nitori's head. She just looks kind of confused now. "Doll magic...ah? Who's Kazami Yuuka?"
> _
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>"I dunno. I wanna find her. Yea, doll magic. I dunno, she has her body, and will get her soul, what's dolly in that...."
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> "Ran says she's kinda bad news, though. You got anything for me, Kourin?"
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>"I dunno. I wanna find her. Yea, doll magic. I dunno, she has her body, and will get her soul, what's dolly in that...."
> Nitori blinks. "I...I see..."
> "Ran says she's kinda bad news, though. You got anything for me, Kourin?"
> "Hm...Were you looking for something?" Kourin asks.
> _
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>"Information, man! Do you want to save Marisa or what?"
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> Gah, Kourin isn't as bright as he looks. If it weren't for him introducing us to Ran...
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>"Information, man! Do you want to save Marisa or what?"
> "I mistook the context of the question," Kourin says as he rubs his temples. "About Yuuka, there's one problem...she really hates Marisa for stealing one of her attacks."
> Gah, Kourin isn't as bright as he looks. If it weren't for him introducing us to Ran...
> If Ran weren't around...
> _
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> "How much hate are we talkin' here?"
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>"Oh, that's easy then. We just need to sell it as giving her a chance to get back at Marisa from beyond the grave."
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> "How much hate are we talkin' here?"
> "I'm talking enough hate that my shop nearly got destroyed because the two of them were in it at the same time."
>"Oh, that's easy then. We just need to sell it as giving her a chance to get back at Marisa from beyond the grave."
> "Good luck with that."
> _
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>"Ah man. Hey, one more question. Does Ran really like fried tofu, or is that just some summoning thing?"
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> Okay, yeah, dealing with Yuuka isn't going to be fun.
> "All right, then, I'm off." Whee Ran time!
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>Not yet. We might have to pick up some tofus.
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> Okay, fine, get tofus if Kourin has them, then Ran time~!
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>"Ah man. Hey, one more question. Does Ran really like fried tofu, or is that just some summoning thing?"
> "She really likes fried tofu."
>Not yet. We might have to pick up some tofus.
> Okay, fine, get tofus if Kourin has them, then Ran time~!
> Before you head out, you decide to see if Kourin has more tofu. You're going to need it.
> When you ask Kourin if he has more tofu, he raises an eyebrow. "You're going to need more? Okay, then..." He disappears into the back of the shop and reappears with more fried tofu.
> Obtained: x3 fried tofu
> Okay, yeah, dealing with Yuuka isn't going to be fun.
> "All right, then, I'm off." Whee Ran time!
> Can't be too fun.
> You say goodbye to Kourin and Nitori. Right before you leave, Nitori calls out 'good luck'.
> Outside, Nazrin, Tokiko, and the sparrow are lounging on one of Ran's tails.
> _
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>"Hey, got you something!"
>Present Ran with them tofus.
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> While Ran snacks, snuggle into one of her tails.
> "I told Kourin and Nitori what was going on. Apparantly Marisa and this Yuuka lady didn't really get along..."
> But wasn't Yuuka the one who helped preserve Marisa...?
Never mind that last bit.
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>"Hey, got you something!"
>Present Ran with them tofus.
> You present the tofu to Ran.
> She takes one look at it and eats it all at once.
> 'Haha, I suppose I have a soft spot for tofu."
> The sparrow looks up. "Eh?"
> While Ran snacks, snuggle into one of her tails.
> "I told Kourin and Nitori what was going on. Apparantly Marisa and this Yuuka lady didn't really get along..."
> But wasn't Yuuka the one who helped preserve Marisa...?
> As Ran eats the tofu, you snuggle on one of her tails. So soooft~
> 'I'm not suprised.'
> The sparrow sits up. "Yuuka?! There is no way you're not planning something if you bring her up!"
> No, that was definitely Alice.
> _
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>Give the sparrow a look.
>"You didn't hear anything, got it?"
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>Give the sparrow a look.
>"You didn't hear anything, got it?"
> You give the sparrow a look. She fans her wings out in protest.
> "...Fine!" She gets up and flies away into the trees.
> "There she goes," Tokiko observes.
> _
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>"Wow, who would've thought she'd give this up?"
>Enjoy the fluffiness, whilst Ran fuels up.
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> "So, Ran, where have you looked for the cat and the celestial so far? Could they be at this place that Yuuka lives?"
So, it appears that Himiko changes her signature based on which pairing we find out about in this game. I wonder who's next...?
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>"Wow, who would've thought she'd give this up?"
>Enjoy the fluffiness, whilst Ran fuels up.
> "She must have something really important to do," Nazrin guesses.
> You take advantage of snuggling one of Ran's tails while she fuels up on the tofu.
> "So, Ran, where have you looked for the cat and the celestial so far? Could they be at this place that Yuuka lives?"
> 'As far as I know, the celestial is in this forest somewhere. As for my daughter--' Ran quickly corrects herself. 'The nekomata...I've looked all over Gensokyo, but I couldn't find her.
> Freudian slip?
> _
-
>"Your daughter? She that close or something?"
>....Do we have any known parentage?
-
> A kitsune giving birth to a nekomata... who was the father? That wolf girl earlier?
> Wait, no, that's silly.
-
>"Your daughter? She that close or something?"
>....Do we have any known parentage?
> 'We are not related by blood, but I do consider her my own.'
> ...No.
> A kitsune giving birth to a nekomata... who was the father? That wolf girl earlier?
> Wait, no, that's silly.
> You wonder how that would make sense. Would there be some sort of magic involved? And if Ran is the mother, then who's the father? The wolf girl?
> What are you thinking about, this makes no sense.
> _
-
>"Wow, she's hella lucky! I didn't even have a mom, and she gets you of all people!"
-
> Don't get jealous of the nekomata having Ran as a mother figure...! paruparuparuparuparuparuparuparu
... Um... someone remind me if we go haywire if we hit our max, or if we exceed our max jealousy?
-
I maintain there's no limit to Parsee's capacity for jealousy. It's a bottomless buffet.
-
There IS a limit on how much she can hold without losing her sanity: all those times that Yuugi had to calm Parsee down with hugs and Vietnamese are a result of that.
But yeah, aside from that whole sanity thing, no reason why Parsee can't be a green hole of envy.
-
>"Wow, she's hella lucky! I didn't even have a mom, and she gets you of all people!"
> 'She is...very blessed in that regard.' Ran's voice sounds apologetic.
> Don't get jealous of the nekomata having Ran as a mother figure...! paruparuparuparuparuparuparuparu
> It's so hard not to get jealous; you've never had anything like that paruparuparuparu
> Jealousy Gauge Capacity...huh? It wasn't added.
> _
-
... Um... someone remind me if we go haywire if we hit our max, or if we exceed our max jealousy?
If we exceed it.
-
> "Let's... let's get going. We can go to Yuuka's place, to see if she'll go to Alice's, and maybe see if she knows where your daughter and the celestial are. After that, we can look around in the forest."
> Reluctantly leave the comfy tail.
-
>"At least I can go in the village for you and ask around if that doesn't work."
>Vague pondering: Could Eirin make a corpse physically functional for a spirit?
-
> Add Quest: Unaccompanied Minors
-
> "Let's... let's get going. We can go to Yuuka's place, to see if she'll go to Alice's, and maybe see if she knows where your daughter and the celestial are. After that, we can look around in the forest."
> Reluctantly leave the comfy tail.
> 'Sounds like a plan.'
> You and Nazrin reluctantly leave the comfy tail. Ran's ears flicker, and she stands up.
>"At least I can go in the village for you and ask around if that doesn't work."
>Vague pondering: Could Eirin make a corpse physically functional for a spirit?
> You suggest asking around the village if looking around the village doesn't work. Ran seems okay with it.
> That's a very good question. Eirin was able to save Reimu, so why wouldn't she be able to save Marisa?
> Add Quest: Unaccompanied Minors
> Quest Added: Unaccompanied Minors
> The kitsune Ran is looking for her her daughter, a nekomata, and a celestial. She's certain that the celestial is in the Forest of Magic, but where is the nekomata?
> 'Well then, I suppose we owe Yuuka a visit.'
> Nazrin holds up her dowsing rods. "Say, you say Yuuka is dangerous and powerful, but what is she like as a person...youkai?"
> _
-
>Get comfy, and prepare to go!
>"From what I hear, you mostly just have to not be a jerk, so we'll be fine."
-
> As we get ready, recall something. "Hey, your mistress ever wear green hats?"
-
>Get comfy, and prepare to go!
>"From what I hear, you mostly just have to not be a jerk, so we'll be fine."
> As we get ready, recall something. "Hey, your mistress ever wear green hats?"
> You and Nazrin get on Ran's back.
> "I hope she isn't one of those overly-sensitive people," Nazrin grumbles.
> Before you take off, you ask Ran if her mistress ever wore green hats.
> 'No, but my daughter did.'
> Ran takes off into the forest. The trees fly by in blurs of dark brown, peppered with bursts of dead leaves kicked up by Ran as she sprints. Like breaking the surface of water, you come crashing out of the forest and go speeding through the fields. The wind whips against your face, and as you lower your head to avoid the cold, you catch a glimpse of the village. As you reach the other side of the huge clearing and head into the next part of the forest, you briefly wonder how Mokou is doing.
> The trees in this part of the forest are very dense, and it's a miracle that Ran is able to glide between the branches as skillfully as she does. The trees start to thin out, and she gradually slows to a halt. Up ahead, you can see a field through the trees.
> Ran sniffs the air. 'There are lots of bugs here,' she notes.
> Nazrin is too wind blown to respond to this. She smoothes out her hair.
> _
-
> "Isn't it a bit cold for bugs?"
-
> "Isn't it a bit cold for bugs?"
> 'That's the problem; they should all be in hiding, right?'
> _
-
> Is it warmer here?
> "Gimme a sec..." Pull out seeing stone and look around with it.
-
> Is it warmer here?
> "Gimme a sec..." Pull out seeing stone and look around with it.
> A little bit, yes.
> You pull out the seeing stone. There are hundreds of little colorful dots scattered about the premises. Up in the trees, there are probably a thousand yellow dots in the branches.
> 'That's a rare artifact you've got there,' Ran says. She follows your gaze to the trees.
> _
-
> "Yeah, I picked it up at Kourin's... really saved my butt a lot."
> "I see a whole lotta tiny auras, bugs I'm guessin'. At least a thousand of 'em in the branches... Way too many with it this cold..."
-
> "Yeah, I picked it up at Kourin's... really saved my butt a lot."
> "I see a whole lotta tiny auras, bugs I'm guessin'. At least a thousand of 'em in the branches... Way too many with it this cold..."
> 'He sure has some interesting things there.'
> Nazrin looks around. "That many bugs? Creepy..."
> Ran sniffs the air. '2,543 bugs to be exact, with 1,000 of them being fireflies.'
> _
-
> O_O Holy...
> "Y-you could tell how many just by smell- wait, one thousand fireflies? Isn't that a bit too... exact?"
-
>Are there any distinct auras among these dots?
-
> O_O Holy...
> "Y-you could tell how many just by smell- wait, one thousand fireflies? Isn't that a bit too... exact?"
> That's way too much!
> 'It's true, though,' she says dryly. She flattens her ears and lets out a low growl at the tree.
>Are there any distinct auras among these dots?
> The yellow auras in the trees are the exact same color. Now that you look closer it looks like they're all connecting by tiny, barely visible threads.
> _
-
> "Um... Ran? The ones in the trees, those are the fireflies, right? Their auras are all connected."
-
>Do the threads seem to lead to any central thing, or is more like a net?
-
> "Um... Ran? The ones in the trees, those are the fireflies, right? Their auras are all connected."
> Ran snarls at the tree. You hear the rustling of hundreds of bugs fleeing into the underbrush, and see the auras quickly retreating.
>Do the threads seem to lead to any central thing, or is more like a net?
> It's more like a net. It doesn't really have much of a center.
> As the bugs retreat, you see a thousand little lights in the branches. The lights are actually fireflies, and they swarm behind a tree and flicker out. There's now a single aura hiding behind the tree.
> A figure steps out from behind it and points at Nazrin. "We're not creepy!"
> "Eh--?!"
> _
-
> "She wasn't talkin' about you, she was talkin' 'bout the bugs. Unless you're callin' yourself a bug..."
> Get a good look at the new person.
-
>Wait, did all those fireflies turn into her?
-
> "She wasn't talkin' about you, she was talkin' 'bout the bugs. Unless you're callin' yourself a bug..."
> Get a good look at the new person.
> "I am a bug. More specifically, a firefly."
> You take a closer look at the new person. It's a gangly young girl with short, tossled green hair and antennae that stick up from her head. She wears a long black cape, black pants, and a wine red dress shirt. You notice a few fireflies melding into her cape as she speaks.
> "Anyway..." She eyes Ran. "Ah--G-greetings!" Humbled by the kitsune's presence, she bows in a single sweeping gesture before resuming a disgruntled tone. "Anyway, this is my neck of the woods. You better have a good reason for tromping on through here. Also, have you seen a little doll around here? 'Cause a friend of mine dropped one..."
>Wait, did all those fireflies turn into her?
> Yes, they did.
> _
-
> "Jeez, everyone's losing everything these days... your friend wouldn't happen to be Alice, would she?"
> "We're just on our way to see Yuuka Kazami."
-
>"Or maybe some faeries?"
-
>"Also, my name is Mizuhashi Parsee."
-
> No need to introduce our self: when she gives her name we'll give ours.
-
> "Jeez, everyone's losing everything these days... your friend wouldn't happen to be Alice, would she?"
> "We're just on our way to see Yuuka Kazami."
>"Or maybe some faeries?"
>"Also, my name is Mizuhashi Parsee."
> No need to introduce our self: when she gives her name we'll give ours.
> "Who the heck is Alice? No faeries, either."
> You think about introducing yourself, but then you take it back and explain your purpose instead.
> "Mine's Wriggle Nightbug, queen of insects. My name, I mean." Wriggle proffers her hand for you to shake. "Wait, Yuuka?! So casually?!"
> Wriggle looks genuinely shocked. She squints and sizes up you and Nazrin. "Well...you do look young enough that she won't attack you right away. She really likes kids."
> Nazrin isn't buying it. "Are you kidding me?"
> Ran speaks up. 'I've never heard that about her. How do you know this?'
> "Because her field's right next to my turf."
> _
-
>"Just how much do you know about Yuka?
And by the way, my name is Parsee Mizuhashi." (Crap.)
-
>"Just how much do you know about Yuka?"
> "Well, she spends all of her time in her field, but apparently she has this big mansion in the mountains with a gate guard and everything. She's very mysterious; one of those people you'd have to meet in person to understand," Wriggle explains.
> _
-
> Do we really seem that young? Nazrin, sure, but us?
> "Really, she lives so far away from her field? Weird... So, we keep hearing that she's bad news, but you don't seem to be scared by her."
-
>"So if you're a 'queen of insects', does that mean you can make them do stuff?"
-
>"Or, better yet, do they tell you things?"
-
> Do we really seem that young? Nazrin, sure, but us?
> "Really, she lives so far away from her field? Weird... So, we keep hearing that she's bad news, but you don't seem to be scared by her."
> Not really...well, your apparent age is early to mid teens, although you have a small build to begin with...
> Wriggle's antennae curl and uncurl. "That's because part of my insect kingdom includes bees, which pollinate flowers. It's like we're all being used, but we don't care since we're not being shot at. And you get used to her being that close after a while." She gestures in the direction of the field.
>"So if you're a 'queen of insects', does that mean you can make them do stuff?"
> "Yup. They're all my comrades. Getting everyone together is kind of a pain, though, these days."
>"Or, better yet, do they tell you things?"
> "Of course, I need to know what goes on in the forset, after all."
> _
-
> "Huh... you or your minions wouldn't have seen a nekomata or a celestial with a peach hat, would they?"
-
> "Huh... you or your minions wouldn't have seen a nekomata or a celestial with a peach hat, would they?"
> Wriggle doesn't answer at first. She instead goes over to a tree trunk and picks a centipede off of it. After spending a few minutes consulting it, she lets it go and turns back.
> "Tenshi-chan's the only one with a peach hat in this forest," she announces. "No cats, though."
> 'I'm looking for that celestial,' Ran says. 'Where is she?'
> Wriggle is taken aback. "I don't know right now!"
> _
-
> "How 'bout this, then? Can you figure out where she is, and tell us when we get back from talking to Yuuka?"
-
> "How 'bout this, then? Can you figure out where she is, and tell us when we get back from talking to Yuuka?"
> "'Kay then." Wriggle claps her hands. "Guys! Head out! Use some of those dolls if you have to!"
> You hear the rustling of bugs swarming from the trees and scurrying into the forest.
> Wriggle jumps onto a tree branch. She turns back to you, makes the sign of the horns, and says, "Fifteen minutes tops."
> _
-
> "All right. See ya later."
> Dolls? Could she be talking about those London dolls that Alice lost?
-
> "All right. See ya later."
> Dolls? Could she be talking about those London dolls that Alice lost?
> With that, Wriggle dissolves into a thousand fireflies and disappears.
> Most likely. They were scouters, weren't they?
> _
-
> "Hey, Ran, let's get going." Snuggle back onto Ran's back.
-
> "Hey, Ran, let's get going." Snuggle back onto Ran's back.
> You snuggle onto Ran's back again. Nazrin follows suit, not wanting to be left out.
> 'Very well, then...' Ran takes off through the trees again. It doesn't take very long until you emerge from the trees. Ran skids to a halt, and you nearly fall off. Ahead lays the biggest field you have ever seen. The grass is healthy and lush here, and there are sunflowers every, stretching high. Not only sunflowers, though: there are other smaller flowers dotting the field here and there. Flowers you already recognize, flowers whose names you've long forgotten, flowers that you've never seen before...Compared to the rest of the surface, where everything seems so dead, this place is an oasis.
> _
-
> "Wow... Hey, Nazrin, I bet those sunflowers would be good for a snack."
-
> "Wow... Hey, Nazrin, I bet those sunflowers would be good for a snack."
> Nazrin catches a bit of drool with her sleeve. "Yeah..."
> 'Don't do it,' Ran warns.
> _
-
> "Huh, yeah, I guess she'd get a bit mad if we started picking her plants without asking..."
> If Ran doesn't move: "Should we get off here and look for her, or keep on going?"
-
> "Huh, yeah, I guess she'd get a bit mad if we started picking her plants without asking..."
> If Ran doesn't move: "Should we get off here and look for her, or keep on going?"
> "Yeah, they're so pretty, too..." Nazrin laments.
> Ran doesn't move. 'She should be here. Let's look for her.'
> _
-
> Reluctantly dismount.
> Float above the plants. Any sign of, well, anyone?
-
>Is Ran in a human form or an animal form?
-
She's been a house sized kitsune the entire time we've known her.
-
>Look around for paths in the flowers. As well, note if there are any patterns that suggest they've been planted as opposed to growing wildly.
>Do we see any hint of that mansion that Wriggle mentioned?
-
> Reluctantly dismount.
> Float above the plants. Any sign of, well, anyone?
> You and Nazrin reluctantly dismount.
> Floating above the plants gives you a nice view of the garden. You don't immediately see anyone, though.
>Is Ran in a human form or an animal form?
> Animal form.
>Look around for paths in the flowers. As well, note if there are any patterns that suggest they've been planted as opposed to growing wildly.
>Do we see any hint of that mansion that Wriggle mentioned?
> You look around for paths in the flowers. There are a few narrow ones, but other than that, the flowers look like they've been growing wildly.
> There's no sign of the mansion. It's just flowers as far as the eye can see.
> _
-
>"Huh. No mansion."
>Does Ran seem like she's going to be hanging back?
-
>"Huh. No mansion."
>Does Ran seem like she's going to be hanging back?
> Nazrin flies up as well and surveys the area. "You're right. Did you see any other mansions around here?"
> No.
> _
-
> "So, Nazrin, d'ya think you can track down this Yuuka person?"
> Man, just how far out do these fields go?
-
> "So, Nazrin, d'ya think you can track down this Yuuka person?"
> Man, just how far out do these fields go?
> Nazrin holds her dowsing rods in front of her. "Yeah."
> Pretty far out. You can see the other side of it, though.
> Nazrin lands on the ground and sprints into the flowers. "I'm getting a reading!"
> Ran starts after her.
> _
-
>Follow from the air!
>Look around with that spirit stone.
-
>Follow from the air!
>Look around with that spirit stone.
> You fly after her. Looking through the seeing stone, you see rainbow-colored wisps raising from the flower field. At the very center, you can see a vibrant green aura.
> _
-
> Pocket the seeing stone.
> Is that where Nazrin's headed?
-
> Pocket the seeing stone.
> Is that where Nazrin's headed?
> You pocket the seeing stone and look to see if that's where Nazrin and Ran are headed. It is the way they're going; Nazrin's practically being led by her dowsing rods.
> _
-
> And we're flying, and we're flying...
-
> And we're flying, and we're flying...
> As you fly, the flowers below seem to get more dense. Ran is able to maneuver perfectly through them for some reason. After a few minutes of running, you're completely out in the open, and in a small clearing. As you land on the ground, Nazrin lowers her dowsing rods and looks around.
> "Here...?"
> Laying in the grass is what looks like a heap of red plaid fabric, resting on top of a green backpack. You swear you see it slowly rising up and down. A large, pinkish white flower sprouts overhead, shielding the whole thing from the eerie purple glow coming from Kikuri.
> Ran pads into the clearing as quietly as she can.
> _
-
>"Huh."
>Move in close and examine it. Then check it with the stone.
-
>"Huh."
>Move in close and examine it. Then check it with the stone.
> That's kind of weird. You move in close and examine it. There's something suspicious about it. It's like there's a presence coming from it. You check it with the stone.
> The vibrant green aura is there. Is this thing alive?
> _
-
> Get up right next to it and lift up the fabric.
-
>Just peek under it, don't lift it off completely.
-
> Get up right next to it and lift up the fabric.
>Just peek under it, don't lift it off completely.
> You get right next to the fabric and lift it up, but you're careful not to completely lift it off. Ran's tails swish, but she stays silent.
> When you lift the fabric, you see even more of it. There's also a head of longish green hair, and a pair of pale arms. It's not a heap of fabric, it's a dress. The woman wearing it has draped the excess fabric over herself, like a blanket. She's using the backpack as a pillow.
> So the fabric moves as the woman breathes.
> Nazrin steps closer to get a better look.
> _
-
> We should step away. A couple of ways away.
> Grab Nazrin by the shoulder as we do this.
> Say quietly: "If she's a bad as a lot of people say, we might not wanna wake her up."
-
>Did she look like she was in proper health?
-
> We should step away. A couple of ways away.
> Grab Nazrin by the shoulder as we do this.
> Say quietly: "If she's a bad as a lot of people say, we might not wanna wake her up."
> Ffffff-
> You quickly back away and grab Nazrin by the shoulder. When you whisper to her, the woman starts to stir. She lifts a hand in the air, and Ran immediately jumps in front of you two.
> "Mmmm...m-m-master spaaark," the woman mutters. You hear a familiar humming, and then see a giant lazer shoot into the sky. It actually grazes Kikuri and keeps going. Did she try to attack, or was she sleep-spellcasting? You don't think you want to know.
> "Mgh..."
>Did she look like she was in proper health?
> Sort of. She looked kind of drained.
> _
-
> "... On second thought, it might be a good idea to wake her up before she kills us in her sleep."
-
>Approach again, and peek under. Does she look awake?
-
> "... On second thought, it might be a good idea to wake her up before she kills us in her sleep."
> "P-probably."
>Approach again, and peek under. Does she look awake?
> You carefully reapproach and peek under the fabric. She's rubbing her eyes right now.
> _
-
>"Um, Miss Kazami? Are you okay?"
-
>"Um, Miss Kazami? Are you okay?"
> Yuuka sits up blearily, and you find yourself being leered at by a pair of red eyes. The sunflowers stretch taller, and wind around each other as if forming a cage. Nazrin crosses her dowsing rods in front of her, as if it would provide some sort of protection, and Ran lets out a low growl.
> Almost faster than you can react, Yuuka reaches out and grabs your ears.
> "What do you thiiink~?" she almost sings.
> _
-
Ohgodohgodohgodohgod dammit can't stop reflexes!
> Squeak and lash out!
:ohdear: Ah, damn it... sorry guys. :ohdear:
-
>Before lashing out: "What the-?!"
-
>We shall die as we lived, a thrall of our passions.
-
>Before lashing out: "What the-?!"
> Squeak and lash out!
> Kya--
> You lash out and punch Yuuka in the stomach. You can't help it, your ears are sensitive.
> Yuuka is barely fazed. In fact, she actually looks satisfied at your reaction.
>We shall die as we lived, a thrall of our passions.
> No no no no she's going to kill you she isn't killing you?
> Yuuka laughs. It's rather scary to listen to.
> "That was a nice sound you made! It made up for you hurting me~"
> _
-
> Try to scoot away from Yuuka and get to the safety of Ran.
-
> Try to scoot away from Yuuka and get to the safety of Ran.
> As you scoot away from Yuuka, she plucks the giant flower from the ground. It's actually a parasol. She folds it up and points it at the three of you like a gun.
> You and Nazrin hide behind Ran. In all fairness, Nazrin has a tail to worry about, too.
> Yuuka takes one look at Ran. "A kitsune? In my Yuukarin Land? I get visitors every day, but why must you come uninvited? I was having the loveliest dream~"
> _
-
> "U-um... we came to see you, 'cause Alice asked us to. She needs your help."
> Slowly slip one of our spellcards into our hand, hidden from Yuuka by Ran.
-
> "U-um... we came to see you, 'cause Alice asked us to. She needs your help."
> Slowly slip one of our spellcards into our hand, hidden from Yuuka by Ran.
> As you explain to Yuuka why you're here, you reach for a spellcard.
> "You've met my wife? It's no wonder; she's almost never at home. However..." Yuuka's eyes glint. "Whatever would she want of me?"
> _
-
>"Apparently, she needs your help in bringing back Marisa from the dead."
-
>"Apparently, she needs your help in bringing back Marisa from the dead."
> Yuuka smiles, but doesn't lower the umbrella.
> "Tell me, why should I help that little trespassing thief? It's much better when she's not flying around stealing other peoples' spellcards."
> _
-
> Well, that's kind of a good point, and the last (and first) time we've seen her she blew us out the- wait, "wife"?
> We could use that. "Because your 'wife' wants you to help her?"
-
> Well, that's kind of a good point, and the last (and first) time we've seen her she blew us out the- wait, "wife"?
> We could use that. "Because your 'wife' wants you to help her?"
> To be honest, your only encounter with her wasn't so good--"wife"?
> You try rolling with that.
> "Oh, I love my wife so much, but that is just one thing I could never do for her~"
> _
-
> "Would it help that she's going to be revived in one of those dolls that Alice makes? She can't do much stealing or blowing people up when she's that tiny."
-
> "Would it help that she's going to be revived in one of those dolls that Alice makes? She can't do much stealing or blowing people up when she's that tiny."
> Yuuka twirls her umbrella around. "No~"
> _
-
> Shit, we don't even know how Yuuka's going to be able to help Alice: let's have Alice convince her instead.
> "Well, why not visit her anyways? She's been really sick lately, and unable to leave her house, especially after that monster attacked her..."
-
>No no no no, we have to make it worthwhile for her, personally.
>"What'd she steal from you, anyways? Because the way you're talking, it sounds like she got away with it."
-
> Kourin told us that Marisa stole one of her attacks. Judging by her "nocturnal emissions", and how Marisa ultimately dealt with us underground, it's probably that "Master Spark" business.
-
> Shit, we don't even know how Yuuka's going to be able to help Alice: let's have Alice convince her instead.
> "Well, why not visit her anyways? She's been really sick lately, and unable to leave her house, especially after that monster attacked her..."
>No no no no, we have to make it worthwhile for her, personally.
>"What'd she steal from you, anyways? Because the way you're talking, it sounds like she got away with it."
> Kourin told us that Marisa stole one of her attacks. Judging by her "nocturnal emissions", and how Marisa ultimately dealt with us underground, it's probably that "Master Spark" business.
> Alice never told you how Yuuka would be able to help, anyway.
> You contemplate asking her to visit Alice, but decide to hold that question off for a little bit, and ask her what Marisa stole from her.
> "She stole my Master Spark. Why she wanted such a harmless attack is beyond me, but now everyone associates that move with her."
> So that explains her "nocturnal emissions".
> _
-
> ... Yeah, there's really not much we can do about that.
-
>Oh, but there is.
>"And, you're just going to let her go to the grave with it? When you can drag her back, kicking and screaming, and not only tell her what for, but also have her in your debt?"
-
> ... Yeah, there's really not much we can do about that.
>Oh, but there is.
>"And, you're just going to let her go to the grave with it? When you can drag her back, kicking and screaming, and not only tell her what for, but also have her in your debt?"
> Well, if she--no wait, idea!
> You ask Yuuka if she really wants Marisa to take it to the grave with her. She could be in Yuuka's debt.
> Yuuka grins. The sunflowers seem to tighten. "Ohh, when you put it that waayy~ But I can't just leave my flowers alone. Someone could waltz in uninvited and pick them." She glares at Nazrin, who squeaks and hides behind Ran. "Like that celestial. She took a doll that belonged to one of my dear friends, and now I have to pay her back for it. I'll have to keep my precious garden safe from that troublemaker, won't I?"
> Ran growls at her. 'If you touch a hair on that girl's head, you'll definitely anger more than one person.'
> _
-
>"How about this? Tell us about that celestial? Maybe we can go hunt her down and make sure she isn't going to do anything else."
-
> Stroke Ran's fur calmingly (for us and for her).
-
>"How about this? Tell us about that celestial? Maybe we can go hunt her down and make sure she isn't going to do anything else."
> "Oh, she's very polite, but lacked tact when she took that doll, yes. She runs around like this place is a playground. Oh, she is so mistaken, it is a battlefield~"
> Stroke Ran's fur calmingly (for us and for her).
> You stroke Ran's fur.
> So soooooft~
> Both of you are calmer now.
> _
-
> "So, how about we take care of the celestial, then? We have our own business with her, and we'll make sure she doesn't disturb your fields while you help your wife."
-
> "So, how about we take care of the celestial, then? We have our own business with her, and we'll make sure she doesn't disturb your fields while you help your wife."
> "I'd much rather deal with her myself, though~" Yuuka opens her parasol. "As much as I'd hate to take away your fun, I mean."
> _
-
> Whisper to Ran: "Hey, um, can we afford to let the celestial be beat up a little?"
-
> Whisper to Ran: "Hey, um, can we afford to let the celestial be beat up a little?"
> 'Celestials are very tough, and judging by what her guardian said, she seems like the type to get into those kinds of situations...I suppose it really depends on the severity of the fight in the end.'
> _
-
>Does Ran sound happy about that?
>"Don't worry, Miss Kazami, we'll work her over properly. You just save yourself up for Marisa."
-
>Does Ran sound happy about that?
>"Don't worry, Miss Kazami, we'll work her over properly. You just save yourself up for Marisa."
> Not really.
> "Hmhm~" Yuuka hums. The sunflowers start to untangle.
> _
-
> "Yeah, by the time we're done with her, she won't want to mistreat your garden or your friends." Maybe.
-
> "Yeah, by the time we're done with her, she won't want to mistreat your garden or your friends." Maybe.
> Yuuka grins. "And you won't come back to my garden uninvited."
> She leans over and picks up the backpack, which she then carries like a purse.
> _
-
>"I will do my very best, I assure you."
>You creepy creepass creep...
-
>"I will do my very best, I assure you."
>You creepy creepass creep...
> "Well, then~" Yuuka starts to walk off into the flowers. Nazrin watches her with an uncertain expression on her face.
> What a creep, groping your ears and laughing at your misery.
> _
-
> Quietly: "Let's... let's just get outta here."
> Climb on Ran and find Wriggle.
-
>"Hey, before you go! When did you last see the Celestial?"
-
> Quietly: "Let's... let's just get outta here."
> Climb on Ran and find Wriggle.
> Nazrin nods. "Yeah..."
> You and Nazrin climb on Ran, who turns from the clearing and starts to walk out of the field.
>"Hey, before you go! When did you last see the Celestial?"
> Before you go, you call out to Yuuka and ask where she saw the celestial.
> "A field of nothing but poison~" With that, Yuuka disappears into the flowers.
> _
-
>"...Is that some kind of topside unit of time or something? Ran? Nazrin?"
-
>"...Is that some kind of topside unit of time or something? Ran? Nazrin?"
> 'It's not. She answered the question wrong,' Ran says.
> Nazrin shrugs. "I've never heard of a poison field around here."
> _
-
>"I've never heard of a poison field ever, so there's that."
>Picture a field full of oni rotgut, the stuff that they wouldn't normally touch unless desperate or desperately poor...
>Shudder at what it must smell like.
>"Ran, do you know anything about poison fields?"
-
>"I've never heard of a poison field ever, so there's that."
>Picture a field full of oni rotgut, the stuff that they wouldn't normally touch unless desperate or desperately poor...
>Shudder at what it must smell like.
>"Ran, do you know anything about poison fields?"
> You picture a field of rotgut...and shudder. If you came across a field like that, you would throw up on the spot.
> You ask Ran about poison fields.
> 'She must be talking about the Nameless Hill, a hill filled with toxic Lily of the Valley flowers. The only other toxic place I can think of isn't even in Gensokyo.'
> _
-
>"Oh. Let's see if Wriggle found anything, then detour there is there's nothing else to go on."
-
> Head outta the field.
-
>"Oh. Let's see if Wriggle found anything, then detour there is there's nothing else to go on."
> Head outta the field.
> "Yeah, let's get out of here," Nazrin says. "Those flowers were moving on their own."
> Ran sprints out of the field. The flowers blur as Ran runs faster and faster, and soon you're at the edge of the Forest of Magic again.
> You hear Wriggle's voice, as well as another unfamiliar one.
> _
-
> Arrive, riding in style.
-
>"Hey, Wriggle!"
-
> Arrive, riding in style.
>"Hey, Wriggle!"
> You, Ran, and Nazrin arrive...in style.
> Wriggle is sitting cross-legged on a rock, talking to a girl with long, blue hair and red eyes. She's wearing a black hat with peaches on it, and a short-sleeved blue dress with a white apron. A sword is stuck in the ground next to her.
> Wriggle looks over. "Yo! I saw a huge freaking lazer come from Yuuka's field! Did she try killing you or what?"
> When the blue-haired girl sees Ran, she leaps up and grabs the sword.
> "Gyaahhh!"
> Wriggle trys to calm her down. "Wait, Tenshi-chan, these are the people who were looking for you!"
> _
-
> ... That was convenient.
> Get a spellcard ready. Nevermind the spell card, just glare at her. "Hey, what's your problem?"
-
>Damn, Wriggle is good at this!
>...Too bad she made us look like a punk in front of Ran. >=|
-
> ... That was convenient.
> Get a spellcard ready. Nevermind the spell card, just glare at her. "Hey, what's your problem?"
>Damn, Wriggle is good at this!
>...Too bad she made us look like a punk in front of Ran. >=|
> Convenient and fast. Man, Wriggle was able to find her fast. She made you look like a punk, though...
> You glare at the blue-haired girl and ask her what her problem is.
> "What's your problem, just charging in here?!" She holds her sword with one hand and flips you off with the other. Nazrin scowls and jumps off Ran's back.
> "You screamed first," she points out.
> Ran swishes her tails and sits down, perhaps so that she may appear less threatening. 'Your guardian asked me to help find you,' she says. 'Are you ready to go back?'
> "Hell no," the girl says. "If I go now, that flower-obsessed sadist is never gonna shut up about that stupid doll!"
> _
-
> What a bitch. Aren't celestials supposed to be nice or something?
> "You mean the one that you took from one of her buddies? Why not just give it back?"
> Get off of Ran's back.
-
>"What's this about going back, Ran? You need her to go somewhere?"
>Oh baby, this is going to be sweet.
-
> What a bitch. Aren't celestials supposed to be nice or something?
> "You mean the one that you took from one of her buddies? Why not just give it back?"
> Get off of Ran's back.
> You've only known her for all of ten seconds, christ. You don't know how celestials are supposed to act, but aren't they supposed to be nicer than this?"
> You get off Ran's back and ask why she doesn't just give the doll back.
> "I thought it looked cool, so I took it, but..." The girl adjusts her hat. "I dropped it, okay? I dropped it near someone's house and when I realized I dropped it, I went back for it later but it was gone. And I've barely spent any time here, so."
> "We've been looking for bugs to go scouting for it," Wriggle explains. "We've even found these other dolls that can go searching, so it's not like we've been completely idle."
>"What's this about going back, Ran? You need her to go somewhere?"
>Oh baby, this is going to be sweet.
> 'She's a celestial from Bhava-agra. Once I can get a hold of her guardian, she'll be able to go home.'
> Yessss.
> "I said I'm not goin' home until I can save myself from getting shanked!"
> _
-
>"What do you mean shanked? What'd you do?"
>Well...if Ran wants her to go now, we'll initiate plan Beat Her Head In.
-
>"What do you mean shanked? What'd you do?"
>Well...if Ran wants her to go now, we'll initiate plan Beat Her Head In.
> "I lost the doll, and...might have...accidentally...picked some flowers."
> Wriggle gives her an apologetic look.
> If Ran wants her to go back home now, you can just beat her into submission so she won't put up a fight.
> _
-
>"Dolls sure are popular all of a sudden. Okay, what's the deal with it?"
-
> "You said you dropped the doll, right? Where?"
-
>"Dolls sure are popular all of a sudden. Okay, what's the deal with it?"
> It must be a surface world trend.
> "Well, she said it used to belong to a friend of hers," the girl says. "And that it was an important keepsake or something, so 'give it back'...but by that time I had already lost it. And, um, she kind of has a grudge against me now for that."
> "You said you dropped the doll, right? Where?"
> "Near some giant red house by a lake. I came across it while I was exploring."
> _
-
>"Okay, what's it look like? Does it do anything? Moving dolls seem to be popular, too."
>Quietly to Ran, "So, do you want to handle this, or just drag her back now? I'll help you out either way, but it's your situation."
-
>"Okay, what's it look like? Does it do anything? Moving dolls seem to be popular, too."
>Quietly to Ran, "So, do you want to handle this, or just drag her back now? I'll help you out either way, but it's your situation."
> "Umm, it had blonde hair tied in a ponytail with a red ribbon, and a dark purple and red dress with crosses on it, and silver eyes," the girl says, counting off on her fingers. "It looked kinda like a fairy, which is weird!"
> You quietly ask Ran what she wants to do.
> 'I'd like to try bringing her to the Human Village, if possible,' she replies in a whisper.
> The girl tilts her head to the side. "Hey, what do you keep whispering about?"
> _
-
>"Business. Don't worry about it."
>Does that description sound familiar?
-
>"Business. Don't worry about it."
>Does that description sound familiar?
> "I still don't trust you."
> "Hey, Tenshi-chan, it's not all that bad..."
> It doesn't sound familiar at all.
> _
-
>"Is it one of those dolls that moves on it's own?"
-
> "And stop being rude: we're tryin' to help you keep from having Yuuka roll you."
-
>"Is it one of those dolls that moves on it's own?"
> "No, it never did anything like that."
> "And stop being rude: we're tryin' to help you keep from having Yuuka roll you."
> The blue-haired girl pouts. "...'Kay."
> _
-
>"Okay. Best thing we can do? Ask around town. People from all over have crossed through there; so there's a good chance someone saw something."
-
> Sigh. Back to that mansion? At least we can use the time to check up on Cirno and Hourai.
> "Okay, I think I know where to look for the doll."
> Damn, we don't want to spoil the location of Cirno's hideout. Should we split up, or stick together?
> "Oh, hey, that reminds me. Nazrin, to find something or someone, do you need to of actually met or seen the thing, or what?"
Ignore the crossed out parts: I see what Purv's up to.
-
>"Okay. Best thing we can do? Ask around town. People from all over have crossed through there; so there's a good chance someone saw something."
> "Whatever floats your boat."
> Sigh. Back to that mansion? At least we can use the time to check up on Cirno and Hourai.
> "Okay, I think I know where to look for the doll."
> Damn, we don't want to spoil the location of Cirno's hideout. Should we split up, or stick together?
> "Oh, hey, that reminds me. Nazrin, to find something or someone, do you need to of actually met or seen the thing, or what?"
> You're getting sick of that mansion. Good opportunity to check up on Cirno and Hourai, at least.
> "Really?!"
> Cirno probably won't like it if you bring an outsider to the hideout. Tenshi would probably be the most interested in going.
> You ask Nazrin if she has to have met/seen the person or object to find it. Nazrin shakes her head.
> "I was able to find Yuuka without having met her. If I've heard of or know of its existence, I can find it."
> _
-
Damn it, too late. Okay, I think I can rectify the situation, but it'll involve getting Ran, Nazrin, and Tenshi to go on their own...
-
>"But really, the town's your best bet. There's no way it's still going to be there now."
-
Actually, Purv, let's do it like this...
> "Okay, yeah, first thing we need to do is go back to the Human Village."
If we do it your way, she'll insist on following up on whatever idea we had. This way, we can lead her to believe that the doll's near the Human Village.
EDIT: Also, here's another thought: after we get Tenshi to the Human Village, we'll need to split from Nazrin and Ran in order to talk to Cirno. While we're doing that, Ran and Nazrin can start looking for Chen using Nazrin's abilities (if it helps, we now know that Chen's hat is in Kourindou).
-
> "Okay, yeah, first thing we need to do is go back to the Human Village."
> You suggest going back to the Human Village first.
> "So, the first step to finding it is there?"
> _
-
> "That's right. You ready?"
-
> "That's right. You ready?"
> The blue-haired girl nods. "Yeah. Wriggle, you wanna come?"
> "Nah, I've got kind of a bad rep there. Nothin' serious, but..."
> "Okay, then."
> _
-
> So, off we go. On Ran, if she's still willing.
> Whisper in Ran's ear "Can you get her to her guardian when we get there?"
> Disguise whispering as us snuggling into her fur.
-
>Before departing, give Wriggle a thumbs up. Maybe it's not her fault this celestial is enough of a dick we had to manipulate her and make ourselves look good, but she helped with that.
-
> Yeah, Wriggle's pretty cool. Wonder if she and Yamame'll get along: they're both bugs, right?
-
> So, off we go. On Ran, if she's still willing.
> Whisper in Ran's ear "Can you get her to her guardian when we get there?"
> Disguise whispering as us snuggling into her fur.
> She's probably still willing to give you guys a ride. She's been pretty patient this whole time.
> You ask her if she can get the celestial to her guardian by snuggling into her fur.
> 'Yes, I should be able to,' she whispers back.
>Before departing, give Wriggle a thumbs up. Maybe it's not her fault this celestial is enough of a dick we had to manipulate her and make ourselves look good, but she helped with that.
> Yeah, Wriggle's pretty cool. Wonder if she and Yamame'll get along: they're both bugs, right?
> Before you head off, you give Wriggle a thumbs up. She seems to get along with the celestial, at least.
> Wriggle returns the thumbs up. "Oh yeah, almost forgot, if you see an ice fairy(?) around, tell 'er to come my neck of the woods for a change."
> Well, that's one thing they have in common. Maybe they would get along.
> _
-
> And we're riding, and we're riding... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSMeUPFjQHc)
-
> And we're riding, and we're riding... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSMeUPFjQHc)
> When it's cold~ outside~ am I here in vain? Hold on~ to the night~ there will beee noo shaaame!
> You, Nazrin, and the celestial ride Ran to the Human Village. As you reach the outskirts, Ran slows to a walk. It looks like the village has been completely fixed now; there are lots of humans milling around. They don't notice Ran yet, but you don't think they'll react too kindly to a Kourindou-sized kitsune waltzing into their village.
> You hear a low whistle coming from nearby. "Check out this sweet fox," you hear Mokou say in a deadpan voice. She's standing nearby with her hands in her pockets. She sees the celestial and raises an eyebrow.
> Nazrin has already jumped off Ran and is starting towards the village.
> _
-
>"Mokou!"
>Jump and make a friend hug. Cause she's one of the cool folks
-
>
Proceed to take all Mokou's yens
>"Meet you at the temple, Nazrin! Tell your tiger hi for me!"
>Let Ran make the next move, she knows what to do.
-
>"Mokou!"
>Jump and make a friend hug. Cause she's one of the cool folks
> You surprise Mokou by tackle-hugging her. She manages to catch you before you can knock her over.
> "Whoa, there. I ran into Eirin a while back, she said the operation was a success...?"
>Proceed to take all Mokou's yens
>"Meet you at the temple, Nazrin! Tell your tiger hi for me!"
>Let Ran make the next move, she knows what to do.
> ALL YO YENS YIP YIP YAP
> Nazrin waves at you with her dowsing rods and keeps running.
> The celestial dismounts Ran. "Where's the doll?"
> Ran starts to walk towards the village. 'Just follow me.'
> Mokou watches them walk away. "...Her clothing is kind of...this doesn't have anything to do with that oarfish youkai that showed up yesterday, does it?"
> _
-
> "Hm... that might be her guardian. That girl's celestial, and we're trying to make her go home before Yuuka beats the crap out of her."
> Should we follow? If she tries to run away, we can hit her over the head with a chair.
> "Oh, yeah, and it worked. Reimu's okay and safe in the underground. With Satori, not with the oni, I mean." Remember Satori's embarrased expression, and giggle mischeviously.
-
>Follow, motion for Mokou to come along and converse along the way.
-
> "Hm... that might be her guardian. That girl's celestial, and we're trying to make her go home before Yuuka beats the crap out of her."
> Should we follow? If she tries to run away, we can hit her over the head with a chair.
> "She got Yuuka mad at her...? Eh, it'd be better to get her out before there's any serious damage done. To her and the surroundings..." Mokou scowls.
> You contemplate following the celestial into the village. You have a chair; you can just bludgeon her with it if she tries anything funny...
>Follow, motion for Mokou to come along and converse along the way.
> Might as well. You and Mokou head into the village, conversing along the way.
> When you walk into the village, you can see Ran up ahead. The humans aren't screaming and running for their lives, but they're doing their best to avoid her. You see the celestial standing next to her.
> "There goes Keine," Mokou notes. Sure enough, Keine is walking towards Ran and the celestial with a strange woman in a shawl following closely behind. Oh, isn't that the kind of shawl celestials wear? It's really big!
> _
-
> That's gotta be the guardian. Wow, the shawl kinda looks like a fish's tail when it's all wavy like that.
> Be quiet like a mouse and get behind Tenshi. If she's gonna fight or run, bring out that chair and whack her upside the head!
-
>Or, get ready to jealous her up like we did Reisen.
>One would be impressed about that shawl, but we got Ran, so suck it fish-shawl!
>...Okay, one of those would be pretty sweet.
-
> Just imagine posin' with one of those flapping in the wind!
> ... And then it gets stuck in a door or some oni berk grabs it. Yeah, probably better off without it.
-
> That's gotta be the guardian. Wow, the shawl kinda looks like a fish's tail when it's all wavy like that.
> Be quiet like a mouse and get behind Tenshi. If she's gonna fight or run, bring out that chair and whack her upside the head!
> That must be her guardian. Look at that shawl, it makes her look like a fish. Kinda cool.
> You get behind Tenshi as quietly as possible. Mokou stands off to the side and puts her hands in her pockets.
>Or, get ready to jealous her up like we did Reisen.
>One would be impressed about that shawl, but we got Ran, so suck it fish-shawl!
>...Okay, one of those would be pretty sweet.
> You prepare to make Tenshi jealous, like you did with Reisen.
> Ran's definitely better than that fish-shawl.
> ...Well, the shawl is pretty cool.
> Just imagine posin' with one of those flapping in the wind!
> ... And then it gets stuck in a door or some oni berk grabs it. Yeah, probably better off without it.
> That would be awesome...
> ...No, you'd get choked.
> Tenshi gapes when she sees the shawl woman. "Iku?!"
> Keine sees Ran and curtsies politely. "A kitsune. It's an honor to meet you."
> Ran bows her head in greeting.
> The shawl woman repeats the gesture, then turns to Tenshi. "Eldest Daughter, where have you been? Your parents are worried sick about you!"
> Tenshi crosses her arms defensively. "I went exploring on the surface. That moon up there's pretty cool, right? I wanted to see it for myself!"
> "You were specifically told not to leave because it was too dangerous!"
> "Yeah? Well compared to the surface Bhava-agra's pretty boring!"
> "Do you value excitement over your own safety?!"
> "Like I care about that!"
> "But we care. Your parents and I care." She rubs her temples. "You are going to be in so much trouble with them when you get back."
> "Who said I was going back?! There's still a lot to do on the surface, isn't there?" She gestures to Kikuri wildly. When Tenshi draws her sword, Keine and the shawl woman immediately go for their spellcards. Mokou steps forward and takes her hands out of her pockets. The villagers are starting to run from the scene, now. Uh oh.
> _
-
:D :D :D
> Apply chair directly to head. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_SwD7RveNE)
-
>"Shut the hell up."
>Flood her. Make her jealous of...us, because we're all the awesome she wishes she could be. Make her so damn jealous she can't think about anything else. Including making a coherent attack.
>And if she tries anyways, use the chair.
-
>Specifically, make her jealous of us for having a kitsune to ride around on.
-
>"Shut the hell up."
>Flood her. Make her jealous of...us, because we're all the awesome she wishes she could be. Make her so damn jealous she can't think about anything else. Including making a coherent attack.
>And if she tries anyways, use the chair.
>Specifically, make her jealous of us for having a kitsune to ride around on.
> "What?" Tenshi turns around and notices you too late. You flood her with jealousy. To make it more specific, you make her jealous of you having a kitsune to ride around on. Her eyes blaze green, and her breathing becomes ragged.
> "Why...why the fuck....?!" she screams. "You...you're....you're no fair!" She slams her sword into the ground. The ground around her is leveled.
> Keine and the shawl woman reach for their spell cards, but...
> Apply chair directly to head. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_SwD7RveNE)
> ...before Tenshi can do any more damage, you smack her over the head with the SDM patented wooden chair. Her eyes fade back to red, and she falls to the ground, limp.
> Mokou nudges her with her foot.
> _
-
> Put chair away.
> "Hey, now we can honestly tell Yuuka that we roughed her up."
-
>"Anyways, she's all yours...Iku, was it?"
>Do make a note of that doll description.
-
>Do make a note of that doll description.
>Heck, might as well make another quest of it. Add Quest: An Offer We Can't Refuse. Add notes about dealing with Tenshi and finding the doll.
> Just in case we haven't done it yet, add Quest: Lost Children. Add notes about Tenshi and nekomata.
> Check quests.
-
> Put chair away.
> "Hey, now we can honestly tell Yuuka that we roughed her up."
> You put the chair away. No one questions how you're able to put it back in your pocket.
> "She nearly put the village in danger," Keine fumes. She adjusts her pagoda hat and puts her spellcards away. Mokou puts her hands back in her pockets.
>"Anyways, she's all yours...Iku, was it?"
>Do make a note of that doll description.
> "Nagae Iku."
> The doll had blonde hair in a ponytail, red ribbon, red and purple dress with crosses, looked like a fairy apparently...
> The shawl woman reaches out with her shawl--it's prehensile?!--and uses it to pick up the unconcious Tenshi. She dislodges the sword from the ground.
> "Ah, geez...I apologize for any trouble the Eldest Daughter might have caused," she says. "I don't think she'll be using this sword for a while."
>Heck, might as well make another quest of it. Add Quest: An Offer We Can't Refuse. Add notes about dealing with Tenshi and finding the doll.
> Just in case we haven't done it yet, add Quest: Lost Children. Add notes about Tenshi and nekomata.
> Check quests.
> Quest Added: An Offer We Can't Refuse
> You've found the celestial Tenshi, but it looks like she's pissed off Yuuka be stealing her doll and plucking some flowers. You've managed to lure her to the Human Village to reunite her with her guardian, but there's still the doll to find and still a Yuuka to be dealt with...but mainly the doll. Would finding the doll get Yuuka to help Alice?
> Quest Updated: Unaccompanied Minors
> The kitsune Ran is looking for her her daughter, a nekomata, and a celestial. She's certain that the celestial is in the Forest of Magic, but where is the nekomata?
> You've managed to find the celestial, Tenshi, and return her to her guardian. Still no sign of that nekomata, though.
Quests:
> Learn more about Konngara
>While Yuugi did give me a good amount of information about her, there might be some more information about her that might prove useful in the near future. You've recently learned that Konngara might have something to do with Hell's Moon. She was also trying to find a "Hakurei Shrine" for some reason.
You found Konngara at the Hakurei Shrine, and learned from her that Reimu is still alive but in critical condition, and that there's a girl named "Kikuri" in Hell's Moon. You still don't know what Kikuri is doing on the surface, though, but it seems like a case of Communication Break.
> Red Shrine Maiden Needs Healing Badly.
> You've found out where Reimu was, but she's barely alive thanks to Kikuri. You want Eirin to come to the shrine so she can use her magical healing powers on her, since 'Yakumo' isn't doing enough.
Now that Eirin has used her magical healing powers on Reimu, you've decided to bring Reimu to the Palace of the Earth Spirits so that Satori can take care of her and Konngara can leave the shrine.
> Alice's Love Colored Doll
> Marisa is dead, but Alice has a plan to revive her...as a doll. Why is she doing that when she has the body preserved? She's trying to contact her mother, who knows someone who knows someone who can retrieve Marisa's soul. She has completed the shell itself, but she needs Kazami Yuuka.
> Unaccompanied Minors
> The kitsune Ran is looking for her her daughter, a nekomata, and a celestial. She's certain that the celestial is in the Forest of Magic, but where is the nekomata?
> You've managed to find the celestial, Tenshi, and return her to her guardian. Still no sign of that nekomata, though.
> An Offer We Can't Refuse
> You've found the celestial Tenshi, but it looks like she's pissed off Yuuka be stealing her doll and plucking some flowers. You've managed to lure her to the Human Village to reunite her with her guardian, but there's still the doll to find and still a Yuuka to be dealt with...but mainly the doll. Would finding the doll get Yuuka to help Alice?
> _
-
> "It's no problem. I'm Mizuhashi Parsee." Bow politely.
> To Keine: "Yeah, sorry 'bout that, Mrs. Aki. Didn't know that she could make earthquakes like that."
-
>"So you're gonna drag her back wherever, right? What's the chance she's going to be coming back?"
>Release the jealousy on Tenshi, if we haven't already.
-
> "It's no problem. I'm Mizuhashi Parsee." Bow politely.
> To Keine: "Yeah, sorry 'bout that, Mrs. Aki. Didn't know that she could make earthquakes like that."
> You bow politely and introduce yourself. Iku bows back in greeting.
> You apologize to Keine about Tenshi's outburst.
> "Be careful when you bring people into the village," she scolds. "And my last name is 'Kamishirasawa'."
>"So you're gonna drag her back wherever, right? What's the chance she's going to be coming back?"
>Release the jealousy on Tenshi, if we haven't already.
> "Zero percent," Iku says cooly. "She's grounded."
> You release the jealousy on Tenshi. It doesn't have any noticeable effect right now, but she'll definitely be calmer when she wakes up.
> _
-
> "Anyways... Ran, I think Nazrin can track down your nekomata, but I'm pretty sure that she wants to be with her Shou for a while. I also have an idea on where to find that doll of Yuuka's, but it involves going to some secret places, so..."
-
> "Anyways... Ran, I think Nazrin can track down your nekomata, but I'm pretty sure that she wants to be with her Shou for a while. I also have an idea on where to find that doll of Yuuka's, but it involves going to some secret places, so..."
> As Keine walks away, you tell Ran about finding the nekomata and the doll.
> 'I see. I'd like to find her as soon as possible, anyways. As for the doll...if it's a place I shouldn't be in, I'll stay out of it.'
> _
-
>"The doll can wait, then. Your nekomata is way more important tham whatever's up with Yuka."
>Does Iku seem to be getting ready to go, or even better, leaving?
>If she's leaving, ask, "How'd you get mixed up with her, anyways?"
-
> "I'll just go check to see how much time Nazrin wants, then. I'll be right back!"
> Go to the temple.
-
>"The doll can wait, then. Your nekomata is way more important tham whatever's up with Yuka."
>Does Iku seem to be getting ready to go, or even better, leaving?
>If she's leaving, ask, "How'd you get mixed up with her, anyways?"
> Ran's nekomata is more important than Yuuka's doll, so you let her know this.
> 'Thank you for understanding.'
> Iku is already taking off into the air with Tenshi wrapped up in her shawl.
> You ask her how she got mixed up with Tenshi, and she says, "I've been taking care of the Eldest Daughter since she was small. Well then, goodbye." She waves to you and flies off into the clouds.
> "I'll just go check to see how much time Nazrin wants, then. I'll be right back!"
> Go to the temple.
> 'I'll be waiting on the outskirts of the village.'
> You head to the temple. You briefly see the gradient-haired lady running past you, and you assume that she's going to find Keine.
> The manly cloud and his veiled friend sitting on the roof of the temple. Shou is standing outside with Nazrin on her shoulders, looking into the sky.
> "There she goes," Shou says.
> Nazrin notices you. "Hey, what just happened?"
> _
-
>"I had to whack loudmouth with a chair for being a loudmouth. Looks like our next job is to find that nekomata, and that'll be your big thing, I think."
-
>"I had to whack loudmouth with a chair for being a loudmouth. Looks like our next job is to find that nekomata, and that'll be your big thing, I think."
> Shou lets Nazrin down from her shoulders.
> "With a chair?" Nazrin raises an eyebrow. "Well, whatever...searching time, then."
> _
-
> Hm... Nazrin's been good... should we let her have the rest of the day off when we find the nekomata?
-
>"Yeah. I think, after that, Imma let you go for awhile. You've been a great help, but I guess I've been keeping you a bit long."
>"...Assuming no big emergencies come up. You know the kind."
-
>Become jealous of Iku's shawl.
>Check jealousy gauge; surely we've forgotten about some of that stuff by now.
Question: how quickly after breaking maximum jealousy do the effects happen (obviously it happens faster the further over the max we are, so just a general idea)? Also, when do said effects become visible?
-
> Hm... Nazrin's been good... should we let her have the rest of the day off when we find the nekomata?
> You consider giving Nazrin a break after she finds the nekomata.
>"Yeah. I think, after that, Imma let you go for awhile. You've been a great help, but I guess I've been keeping you a bit long."
>"...Assuming no big emergencies come up. You know the kind."
> Nazrin's ears perk up. "R-really...? I'm sure nothing that big will happen...heh..."
> She looks like she can't believe it.
>Become jealous of Iku's shawl.
>Check jealousy gauge; surely we've forgotten about some of that stuff by now.
> Jealousy gauge: (Capacity: 9/9)
> ...You don't feel too good...
> _
-
> Start stumbling to where we're going to meet Ran.
> While "walking": "Yeah... you've really stuck with me. Thanks."
-
> Start stumbling to where we're going to meet Ran.
> While "walking": "Yeah... you've really stuck with me. Thanks."
> You start stumbling ovlkj;alskj over to Ran.
> Nazrin catches up with you. "Um, Parsee? Are you okay?"
> Shou starts to follow;laksj;dlkf the two of you.
> _
-
> Oh no. Is it starting up? If it is, start booking it to, well, away.
-
> Oh no. Is it starting up? If it is, start booking it to, well, away.
> You're not sure';ak'ajsd;lkja/
< "There was no way you could have kept it all bottled up, you know~"
> The miasl;dkjaf;rrora;slkj alkjskips ahead of you. You really wish it would go away.
> _
-
> At the stupid thing: "Shut the hell up."
> Continue stalking to where Ran is.
-
> At the stupid thing: "Shut the hell up."
> Continue stalking to where Ran is.
> Nazrin frowns a bit. "What? I was asking if you were okay."
< lajs;lajwmirrorw;alwuj;aoiwhjfaklsj doesn't go awaslkjgoiwyi7584ai
< "Well? I know how you're feeling right now." She;a'x;kjhfdst;wicloseraj;wklej;a. "At least I'm not trying to push it on other people."
> When you reach Ran, she's with the gradient-haired woman.
> 'Oh, you're back....?'
> Mokou is leaning against a wall nearby. When she sees you, she takes her hands out of her pockets.
> _
-
> Ignore stupid thing. "Yeah, we're ready to find that cat..."
> Where the hell did Shou come from?
-
I thought bad stuff only happened when above maximum. Um....
>Completely forget about being jealous for no reason
-
>Wait.
>We can't make a fool of ourself in front of the kitsune, at least not in front of all these jerks...
>"...I need a few minutes."
>Pick a random direction away from people, stalk off!
-
Nope, no takebacks. Gotta deal with the hand we're dealt.
> A random direction AWAY from the village. Don't want humans bothering us.
-
> Ignore stupid thing. "Yeah, we're ready to find that cat..."
> Where the hell did Shou come from?
< "Don't ignore me. Why are you trying to hold yourself back?" Ij;lgbehind;aiwjoiand strokes thekajs;lkjback ofyour head. "Is it because she isn't here?"
> She's been followsl;kjlaksjdf;l you and Nazrin.
>Completely forget about being jealous for no reason
> It might be a little too late for thatkjsdlkfjal....
>Wait.
>We can't make a fool of ourself in front of the kitsune, at least not in front of all these jerks...
>"...I need a few minutes."
>Pick a random direction away from people, stalk off!
> Can't make an idiot outaikjwoiyourself in frontofthe kitsune.
> You say you need a few minutes, and stalk off before anyone can react.
< "What's the difference if you're alone? It's not like I'm not here."
> _
-
> "Shut up shut up shutup."
> Stalk faster.
-
> "Shut up shut up shutup."
> Stalk faster.
< "But you're still talking, aren't you? You're telling yourself to shut up and you're still talking. Doesn't that make you feel hypocritical?"
> You stalk faster. You're near the outskirt;la;uislkj of the village now.
< "No one's following you out here. Because they don't care." Hlakjs;wioand moves toaislaksjduoiyourback. "Aren't you glad you're alone, now? Even Konngara has left to chase that wind priestess."
> _
-
> "Shut the hell up!" Punch her off our back and start running.
-
>"They're staying away because I said to, stupid!"
-
> "Shut the hell up!" Punch her off our back and start running.
> You lash out at h;lkjlkhjlkj;asfsdk;alkw and runoutofthe villagw;eiajskldj.
> She;aklj;wi glides besideyouandsmilwiejo;iajw
< "What's running away going to accomplish? You can't avoid it by running away. Maybe that's why so many humans got kidnapped, because they couldn't just run away~ Hey, Yuugi ran away from you, didn't she?"
>"They're staying away because I said to, stupid!"
< "And would they have followed you if you didn't say so? How many of them really care about you? Nazrin sure doesn't, you've just been dragging her around against her will."
> _
-
>"You shut the hell up, what do you know! The only reason I'm going anywhere is so they don't have to deal with the likes of you! If I wanted to listen to stupid all day, I'd hang around Yasaka!"
-
>"You shut the hell up, what do you know! The only reason I'm going anywhere is so they don't have to deal with the likes of you! If I wanted to listen to stupid all day, I'd hang around Yasaka!"
> Th;alkjsl;kjdflamirrormal;ksjdflaksjdstops infrontofyou
< "I know everything. Since I'm you, after all. At least you can escape Yasaka." Shea;likjwoiajl;skdfjreachesoutaosijlkwjstrokesyourfaceajs;dklfj "But you can't escape from yourself. You're listening to yourself talk, so I guess that makes you the stupid one." ;alksjdsmiles;alksjlfkaw
> _
-
>"No, see, I'm not kind of person who makes a habit of bashing their head on the bedrock; you sound like you'e a world champion at it! I've got more in common with that dumb celestial than you!"
-
>"No, see, I'm not kind of person who makes a habit of bashing their head on the bedrock; you sound like you'e a world champion at it! I've got more in common with that dumb celestial than you!"
< "You haven't even known her that long. Who knows, the two of you are probably complete opposites. And you'd bash other peoples' heads on bedrock if you were given the chance though, right? Like Kikuri's. Everything that's happened is her fault. Say, isn't it Yuugi's fault, too? Everything. Why do you like Yuugi? It's stupid that you're so attached to her, and that's why you're holding yourself back."
> Whendidyou a;skldjfa;lstopl;kja;lfkjsrunning?
> _
-
>"Ha! Keep changing the subject when you're losing, jerkass! That's real convincing! In fact, why don't you go bother Kikuri? You two would get along just fine!"
-
>"Ha! Keep changing the subject when you're losing, jerkass! That's real convincing! In fact, why don't you go bother Kikuri? You two would get along just fine!"
< "If I were losing, you wouldn't be talking to me right now. I don't know what kind of person Kikuri is~"
> The;akljsd;lkafjmirrorlakjsdl;fkajskneelsinfrontofyouandlkja;lkstrokes;aklyourhair;klf
> jkl;slkasdf
> _
-
> Slap her away from us.
> "Why doncha go 'n find out, then!"
-
>"Be useful for once in your life, why don't ya?"
-
> Slap her away from us.
> "Why doncha go 'n find out, then!"
> She;alkjsf;lkajdoesn'tlookslkjlka;jsfazed
< "I can't~ If Konngara isn't here she'll just attack me!" shealskjcriesinaklkajsdlfmockingtonelkajsdl;fimitatingyou?;kla
>"Be useful for once in your life, why don't ya?"*
< "Why don't you?" L-l-l-lja;ksjlaughasaty-y-y-y-you;lakjl;lkjsl;ka;
> _
-
> Laugh. "Fuck you, get your eyes checked! I've been the only person getting anything done! The rabbits, the red white, the black white, Yasaka, Konngara! I bailed them out! Are you some kind of retard that you can't see that?!"
> Start walking again. "And I'll drag Kikuri out of her own mess! So fuck off!"
-
> Laugh. "Fuck you, get your eyes checked! I've been the only person getting anything done! The rabbits, the red white, the black white, Yasaka, Konngara! I bailed them out! Are you some kind of retard that you can't see that?!"
> Start walking again. "And I'll drag Kikuri out of her own mess! So fuck off!"
< "You're giving yourself too much credit~"
> You start walkaj;sidjioangwhardtowalk you feel kindofsick
< Shekajs;dlkfdoesn't sayanythingwhydoesn'tshesayanythingsaysomethingsaysomethingsaysomething
> stopfollowingstopstopstopstopstopstpa;lksdjfa;owiujfakljvow984hfa;;;;
> _
-
> And we're ________, and we're __________?
-
>"...I get it now. Hahahah. You're jealous of me, aren't you? No wonder you're going through all this trouble."
-
> And we're ________, and we're __________?
>"...I get it now. Hahahah. You're jealous of me, aren't you? No wonder you're going through all this trouble."
< Sheleansina;slkdjf;alwclose;la;lkjarmsaroundyourwaistoiwueoytmcn,;l "You're the one who's jealous."
> There'ssomeoneelselaksjd;lakaslcoming
> "Are you okay?"
> 妬--
> _
-
> "Who the hell would be jealous of you? You're nothing."
> Sit down, because we're feeling pretty ill.
-
>"Hardly. It's pretty obvious. You just can't deal with how great I am. How sad."
>Assess the oncomer.
-
> "Who the hell would be jealous of you? You're nothing."
> Sit down, because we're feeling pretty ill.
< "I'm you."
> Yousitdownbutyou'refeelingillas;dlkajl
< She;kjal sits downnexttodyoua;lksdjfltouchesyourhair;lk
>"Hardly. It's pretty obvious. You just can't deal with how great I am. How sad."
>Assess the oncomer.
< "It's not me you're jealous of. It's Yuugi, Rin, Konngara, Cirno, Koishi, Yamame, Kisume, and Iku. We just really hate each other."
> "...Huh."
> Someonea;lks kneels in frontofyou
> who is that
> _
-
> Grind heels of hands into our eyes. "Are you done yet?"
-
> Grind heels of hands into our eyes. "Are you done yet?"
< "No~"
> ugh
> "Hello, there."
< "Wh--" She;lakjslfidgetsgoawaygoaway
> _
-
>"Nah...I don't think you can handle being me. Look at you, trying to bring me down when I'm at my height. Pathetic. It's like you're so low, you could look up and see the bottom of the river. So you keep saying you're me, because you want to drag me down with you. But you know what? It's not gonna work. Save your time, go start a family or something."
-
>"Nah...I don't think you can handle being me. Look at you, trying to bring me down when I'm at my height. Pathetic. It's like you're so low, you could look up and see the bottom of the river. So you keep saying you're me, because you want to drag me down with you. But you know what? It's not gonna work. Save your time, go start a family or something."
< "But I'm here because you are. Weren't you in a position like that once?" ;alksdjflakeepstouchingyoustopit;alksjf
> _
-
> "Maybe, but guess what? I don't need to bother with you, 'cause you're keeping people waiting."
> Take hands away from eyes. Look at person in front of us.
> "Yes? How can I help you?"
Sorry to keep you up so late with this, but since Purvis got us this far...
-
> "Maybe, but guess what? I don't need to bother with you, 'cause you're keeping people waiting."
> Take hands away from eyes. Look at person in front of us.
> "Yes? How can I help you?"
< "So are you." sheisn'tleaving
> It'skindofhardtoseeasldkfj;unfocused
> "You just ran off all of the sudden, but I take it you're stressed right now?"
> what isshe talking abou;alklskdjf;t
> _
-
>Breath. Focus on that.
>Next, remember what's at stake here. Ran's counting on us.
>After that, work on the eyes. Focus them, get this blurry image resolved.
>Ignore the taunts for now, we're better than whoever that is. If they want to be jealous, we'll give them something to be jealous of.
-
Idea. Our jealousy gauge's capacity is 10 underground, so...
> How deep of a hole counts as underground?
> Is the ground in this area soft?
Not that we'd want to sit in a hole for very long, but at least it'd clear our head so that we can explain what's going on to whoever followed us.
-
I doubt we can get deep enough for that to work. But, well, wasn't it stated that jealousy overload results in unsafe energy buildup and release (translation: uncontrolable attacks)? So:
>Aim skyward.
>Blast away with all the energy we have.
Sure, we'll probably be worn out for a while, but it should solve the jealousy problem.
-
> Not all of it; we're keeping it high (just not too high) to guard against Kikuri's curses.
Edit: If we're disregarding Guy's post, disregard this one too.
-
Hey, Whatthe and Guy, hold off on doing that. If Purvis's last entry doesn't work, then we'll try other options. Right now, we're trying to beat it by overcoming it with will (or, in Purvis' words, by using reverse psychology on ourself).
Also, where did you get the idea that keeping our jealousy high was guarding us against Kikuri?
-
Hey, Whatthe and Guy, hold off on doing that. If Purvis's last entry doesn't work, then we'll try other options. Right now, we're trying to beat it by overcoming it with will (or, in Purvis' words, by using reverse psychology on ourself).
Okay, I edited my second post; the first one's just information-gathering.
Also, where did you get the idea that keeping our jealousy high was guarding us against Kikuri?
From back in Part 2 (http://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php/topic,8239.msg541310.html#msg541310). Could be wrong though, come to think of it...
-
Hey, Whatthe and Guy, hold off on doing that. If Purvis's last entry doesn't work, then we'll try other options. Right now, we're trying to beat it by overcoming it with will (or, in Purvis' words, by using reverse psychology on ourself).
All right, then. We'll try Purbis's idea first.
-
>Breath. Focus on that.
>Next, remember what's at stake here. Ran's counting on us.
>After that, work on the eyes. Focus them, get this blurry image resolved.
>Ignore the taunts for now, we're better than whoever that is. If they want to be jealous, we'll give them something to be jealous of.
> You try breathiinalksj;l You still havealdslfindthenekomata
> red eyes
> "....um..."
> _
-
> Just keep focusing. We're strong, we can do this.
-
> Just keep focusing. We're strong, we can do this.
< "Who is that? Focus!" a;lskdjfmocking;kasl
> white hair
> _
-
> Breathe in.
> Breathe out.
-
> Continue focusing on the person in front of us. Red eyes and white hair.
-
> Breathe in.
> Breathe out.
> breathealkjw;lak
> unevenlkj;lbreathsksa
< "You need to focus to breathe?" lksjallaughing;lks
> Continue focusing on the person in front of us. Red eyes and white hair.
> redeyeswhitehair, redeyeswhitehair
> watching you
> _
-
> Ignore the voice, force it down to a dark place where it belongs.
> We have to find Ran's daughter; we don't have time for its shenanigans.
> Slow breathing, breathe evenly.
> Who is that in front of us? Continue to concentrate on her.
-
> Ignore the voice, force it down to a dark place where it belongs.
> We have to find Ran's daughter; we don't have time for its shenanigans.
> Slow breathing, breathe evenly.
> Who is that in front of us? Continue to concentrate on her.
< "Don't leave me, I don't want to be alone." go away go away go away
> you have to find her, no time for cshenanigans
> You breathe slowly and concentrate on who's in front ofyou
> "You feeling better?"
> mokou
> _
-
> Keep breathing calm. Nod slightly.
> "Yeah, a little."
> Try standing up.
-
> Keep breathing calm. Nod slightly.
> "Yeah, a little."
> Try standing up.
> When you speak, you feel sick.
> You try standing up, but you feel too shaky.
> Mokou palpates your carotid artery. "Feels like you just ran a marathon."
> _
-
> "Ran a little." Lean into her touch. Concentrate on her touching us.
> "You followed?"
> Hesitantly: "... You saw?"
-
> "Ran a little." Lean into her touch. Concentrate on her touching us.
> "You followed?"
> Hesitantly: "... You saw?"
> You lean into her touch. Feels kinda nice.
> Mokou nods. "Yeah. Guess this explains Reisen and that celestial, then."
> _
-
> "Manipulate jealousy. Happens sometimes."
> Try to look around without getting nauseous. Where are we?
-
>Do we know of anything that helps shake off the physical effects? Things that help calm the nerves and such."
-
>Check jealousy gauge
Question: would firing off the excess energy have worked?
-
> "Manipulate jealousy. Happens sometimes."
> Try to look around without getting nauseous. Where are we?
> "Mhm."
> You look around. You're at the edge of the Forest of Magic.
>Do we know of anything that helps shake off the physical effects? Things that help calm the nerves and such."
> Focusing on your surroundings rather than what's going on in your head, trying to ground yourself to reality, at least.
>Check jealousy gauge
Question: would firing off the excess energy have worked?
> Jealousy gauge: (Capacity 9/9)
> ffffffuuuuu
> Looks like it's going to be dormant for a while, at least...
Yes, but you would've lost a day.
> _
-
> "Sorry. Let's go."
> Start walking back. Try to walk straight.
-
>If needs be, lean on Mokou.
-
>Completely forget about being jealous of Yamame and Kisume (weren't we jealous of the attention they were getting in the hospital? Because they should be out of there by now).
-
Doesn't work that way, Guy: even if it's no longer appilcable, it's still a lingering resentment/envy in Parsee's heart. You know those times when you were jealous when someone beat you in a competition or got a better grade in school than you, and you later got over it? Parsee CAN'T, except in the most physical, mentally exhausting, humiliating way.
-
Which is why we're forgetting about being jealous of them completely. Unless anyone else has any better ideas, because I don't.
-
> "Sorry. Let's go."
> Start walking back. Try to walk straight.
>If needs be, lean on Mokou.
> "You don't really need to apologize..."
> You and Mokou start walking back. It's hard to walk straight. Why is everything turning sidewa--
> "Are you alright?"
> Mokou helps you to your feet. As you lean on her, she says, "You blacked out there for a second."
>Completely forget about being jealous of Yamame and Kisume (weren't we jealous of the attention they were getting in the hospital? Because they should be out of there by now).
> Can't really forget about that...
> _
-
> "I'm'kay."
> Just gotta keep moving forward. Eyes on the path ahead of us.
> Gotta help Ran. Gotta find Cirno. Gotta help Alice. Gotta save Kikuri. We're the only one who can do it.
-
Must reduce jealousy level. Um... oh, idea!
>Sure, Yamame and Kisume got attention in the hospital, but we have awesome kitsune riding. Who's got the better deal here?
>Stop being jealous of Yamame and Kisume. They should be jealous of us.
>Mental note: make them jealous of awesome kitsune riding next time we see them.
-
>"Son of a..."
>Lean on Mokou, continue going back.
>"I'll be fine. Just need to get over it..."
-
> "I'm'kay."
> Just gotta keep moving forward. Eyes on the path ahead of us.
> Gotta help Ran. Gotta find Cirno. Gotta help Alice. Gotta save Kikuri. We're the only one who can do it.
>"Son of a..."
>Lean on Mokou, continue going back.
>"I'll be fine. Just need to get over it..."
> "...'kay, then..."
> The two of you continue walking. Mokou puts an arm around you so you don't fall over again.
> There are things to do, you can't let this get to you...
>Sure, Yamame and Kisume got attention in the hospital, but we have awesome kitsune riding. Who's got the better deal here?
>Stop being jealous of Yamame and Kisume. They should be jealous of us.
>Mental note: make them jealous of awesome kitsune riding next time we see them.
> The kitsune had really soft tails...you're going to make Yamame and Kisume jealous.
> When you reach the outskirts of the village, you see Nazrin lounging on Ran's tails. When she sees you and Mokou, she sits up.
> _
-
>Say as confidently as we can, "Right, sorry about that."
>Do we feel like we could stand under our own power?
-
>Say as confidently as we can, "Right, sorry about that."
>Do we feel like we could stand under our own power?
> Nazrin raises an eyebrow. "Yeah."
> Ran looks over at you, but doesn't say anything.
> Yes.
> _
-
> Who all's here?
> Gently shrug off Mokou's help, and walk to Ran. "Nazrin, you ready?"
-
> Who all's here?
> Gently shrug off Mokou's help, and walk to Ran. "Nazrin, you ready?"
> You, Mokou, Nazrin, and Ran.
> Mokou lets you go and puts her hands in her pockets.
> When you ask Nazrin if she's ready, she nods. "Yeah. So, we're finding a nekomata."
> _
-
>Approach the rest. Lean on Ran if she'll let us.
>"Yeah. Red dress, green hat, answers to Chen. Anything else?"
-
Wait, we knew that?
-
I thought so...if not, please disregard. =[
-
Let's try this:
> "Ran, what can ya tell us about her?"
-
> "Ran, what can ya tell us about her?"
> 'In cat form, she has black fur, a forked tail, and a golden earring. If she's in youkai form, she has dark brown hair and brown eyes, and wears a red dress with a green beret. She keeps the earring and cat ears and tail in both forms, and she answers to 'Chen'.'
> 'I imagine she's in cat form right now, though...'
> _
-
> "Thanks."
> To Nazrin: "Izzat enough to find her?"
-
> "Thanks."
> To Nazrin: "Izzat enough to find her?"
> Ran nods once.
> You ask Nazrin if that's enough to find her.
> "It should be enough." She's already moving her dowsing rods around. "This...this way..." She starts sprinting off.
> _
-
>Jump onto Ran; it's been too traumatic to walk lately.
-
>Jump onto Ran; it's been too traumatic to walk lately.
> You decide to ride Ran instead of walking. As Ran runs off after Nazrin, Mokou waves.
> Your pursuit of Nazrin takes you and Ran all the way through the Forest of Magic. Everything moves by in a blur, and before you know it the three of you are speeding past Yuuka's flower field. You see surpass even that and reach some mountains. It's not Youkai Mountain; it looks far too abandoned. It's just a series of smaller mountains clustered together.
> _
-
> Concentrate on the road ahead of us.
> Do we still feel naseous?
-
>"Hey, Ran? How'd you get mixed up with that celestial, anyways?"
-
> Concentrate on the road ahead of us.
> Do we still feel naseous?
> It's an old dirt road leading up the mountain; there are lots of dead leaves around it.
> You don't feel very naseous anymore.
>"Hey, Ran? How'd you get mixed up with that celestial, anyways?"
> As the three of you start to walk the dirt path, you ask Ran how she got mixed up with Tenshi. 'I came across her guardian, who requested my assistance, while I was still searching for Chen in the Forest of Magic.'
> _
-
>Check jealousy gauge; did 'we have a better deal than Yamame and Kisume' work to reduce jealousy level?
>Check list of what we're jealous of.
-
> And we're riding, and we're riding...
-
>Check jealousy gauge; did 'we have a better deal than Yamame and Kisume' work to reduce jealousy level?
>Check list of what we're jealous of.
> Jealousy gauge: (Capacity: 9/9)
> Rin has a stable job
> Konngara is stealthy and has mysterious near-omniscience regarding the city
> Koishi has a family
> Yuugi's too kind
> Yuugi's too cozy and warm
> Yamame and Kisume get paid attention to in the hospital
> Jealousy for no reason
> Cirno is the strongest really strong
> Iku's shawl
> Why won't any of it go away?!
> And we're riding, and we're riding...
> The ascent up the mountain is very uneventful. At one point you think you smell blood, but the scent quickly goes away.
> After a while, you see a gate. Nazrin runs towards it.
> _
-
> Dismount Ran, stroke her fur as we mutter thanks.
> "Where are we... and did you guys smell that?"
-
Okay, we need to find a way to drop some jealousy. Um...
Okay, out of ideas.
-
> Dismount Ran, stroke her fur as we mutter thanks.
> "Where are we... and did you guys smell that?"
> Ran briefly wraps one of her tails around you.
> "That blood scent? I don't smell it anymore!" Nazrin shouts as she nears the gate. "There's a huge mansion up here! Look!"
> _
-
You pretty much don't. Jealousy is part and parcel of who Parsee is. Don't worry about it, just stay in character.
>Examine the gate from our current position.
-
> "... Didn't someone mention Yuuka having a mansion in the mountains?"
> Ffffffffffff-
-
You pretty much don't. Jealousy is part and parcel of who Parsee is. Don't worry about it, just stay in character.
We'll need a plan for the next jealousy attack, then.
-
>Examine the gate from our current position.
> It's a tall, iron gate, flanked by brick walls. It looks really decorative and ornate, with a floral design...
> "... Didn't someone mention Yuuka having a mansion in the mountains?"
> Ffffffffffff-
> "That bug youkai said so, didn't she?" Nazrin calls out. "Come on, you have to see this!"
> Ran is already walking up the path to where Nazrin is.
> nooooo
> _
-
> And we're following, and we're following...
-
> And we're following, and we're following...
> You follow Ran up to the gate.
> Beyond the gate is...wow, it's actually really nice to look at. There's a huge mansion beyond the gates, with a path leading straight up to it. On both sides of the path there are flower beds everywhere. Sunflowers peek over the brick walls, which are half-covered in vines. The grass here, compared to the rest of the mountain, is very lush and green.
> Built into the brick wall is a smaller house. Near that is a lawn chair, where a woman reclines. Her wide-brimmed hat is covering her face, and a scythe lays on the ground next to her. Ran notices her first.
> 'I've never seen that person before.'
> _
-
> Nudge Nazrin. "Hey, Chen's here, right?"
> Call out to the reclining woman from a safe distance. "Hello?"
-
> Nudge Nazrin. "Hey, Chen's here, right?"
> Call out to the reclining woman from a safe distance. "Hello?"
> "My dowsing rods are never wrong!"
> You call out to the reclining woman. She bolts up, and her hat falls from her face.
> "Huh what?! Yuuka, are you back alre--oh?"
> She smoothes out her hair, and puts the hat on her head. As she stands up, she picks the scythe off of the ground.
> "Sorry, Mugenkan doesn't take visitors~" she says as she straightens out her dress. She looks a bit more professional now that she's awake.
> _
-
> "Don't worry, we won't be in your hair long. We're just looking for a lost cat. If it helps, we're acquaintances with Miss Yuuka."
-
> "Don't worry, we won't be in your hair long. We're just looking for a lost cat. If it helps, we're acquaintances with Miss Yuuka."
> The woman makes a face. "Ehhh? Yuuka never tells anyone where she lives, though."
> "I found this place!" Nazrin says, and holds up her dowsing rods.
> "Is that it? Wait, this doesn't have to do with the cat I picked up a while ago, does it?" the woman asks.
> 'You picked up a cat?' Ran asks. 'If possible, could you bring that cat out here, please?'
> "No problem." The woman heads back to the house built into the brick wall.
> _
-
> Lean against the gate.
> "Makes sense why Chen was so hard to find. Wonder why she's here, though..."
-
>Keep an eye on Scythy the Gatekeeper as she heads off.
-
> Lean against the gate.
> "Makes sense why Chen was so hard to find. Wonder why she's here, though..."
>Keep an eye on Scythy the Gatekeeper as she heads off.
> The scythe woman yawns as she heads off. She must have been sleeping after all.
> You lean against the gate as you wait for the woman to come back. Ran paces around.
> 'Chen's adventurous. She probably found this place completely on accident.'
> The woman returns, holding a black cat in her arms. It has a forked tail and...an earring!
> The cat notices Ran and meows loudly. It jumps out of the woman's arms and runs up to Ran. Ran leans over and licks the cat on the head. The cat rubs against one of Ran's legs, purring.
> "Well, what do you know," the woman says. She leans against her scythe and grins.
> _
-
> "Yeah, that's her. Thanks a lot. What was she doing here, anyways...?"
-
>"Been looking all over for her, you don't even know."
-
> "Yeah, that's her. Thanks a lot. What was she doing here, anyways...?"
>"Been looking all over for her, you don't even know."
> "Like I said, no problem. She showed up here a few months ago lookin' kind of hungry, so I gave her some food. And, well, I guess cats always come back to places that feed them. I ended up taking her in for a while. Not as depressingly lonely when there's a cat to feed," the woman explains.
> 'You have no idea how much this means to me,' Ran says. She sounds really happy right now.
> _
-
>Smile.
>"Just glad we found her."
-
> "Yeah, looks like those two just kept missing each other. Thanks again."
> Bow to her. "I'm Parsee, that mousie is Nazrin, and the kitsune is Ran, who's little Chen's mother."
-
>Smile.
>"Just glad we found her."
> Thank God.
> Quest Completed: Unaccompanied Minors
> "I bet Yuuka would've docked my pay if she found out I was keeping a cat or something here." She chuckles.
> "Yeah, looks like those two just kept missing each other. Thanks again."
> Bow to her. "I'm Parsee, that mousie is Nazrin, and the kitsune is Ran, who's little Chen's mother."
> You bow politely and introduce yourself, Nazrin, Ran, and Chen. The woman bows in return.
> "Nice t'meetcha! Call me Elly."
> Ran bows her head in greeting. Chen has climbed into her tails and is falling asleep.
> _
-
>"Oh, then we're doing you a favor by getting her out of here for you. Well, she'll probably come visit again, if she's anything like the cats I know."
>"Hey, you're friends with Yuuka, right? Um, what's the deal with her and that doll? And Alice, for that matter?"
-
>"Oh, then we're doing you a favor by getting her out of here for you. Well, she'll probably come visit again, if she's anything like the cats I know."
>"Hey, you're friends with Yuuka, right? Um, what's the deal with her and that doll? And Alice, for that matter?"
> "Better keep food stocked up, then."
> At the mention of Alice, Elly smirks. "Heh. Well, you're right about that. I'm also Yuuka's gatekeeper, guardin' this place while she's in her garden. No one ever comes up here, though, so I get to sleep all I want. But Alice? Don't tell anyone I said this, buuuut she and Yuuka are kinda in a relationship. She used to come over for tea a lot, but not since that thing's been up in the sky." Elly gestures to Kikuri. "I don't know anything about this doll you mention, though."
> _
-
> "Oh, we know that Yuuka and Alice are in a relationship: Yuuka told us that Alice was her wife. But no doll? Oh well. Thanks for your help, Elly."
> If there's nothing else, mount up on Ran.
> "To the Human Village, then? Nazrin needs to get back to her Shou."
-
> "Oh, we know that Yuuka and Alice are in a relationship: Yuuka told us that Alice was her wife. But no doll? Oh well. Thanks for your help, Elly."
> If there's nothing else, mount up on Ran.
> "To the Human Village, then? Nazrin needs to get back to her Shou."
> Elly's eyes bug out of her head. "T-they've gotten that far?! Ah, whatever, I'll press Yuuka for the details next time I see her."
> Your work here is done, so you mount up on Ran.
> "Yeah, let's go back," Nazrin says. She climbs on Ran, but it looks like she's avoiding Chen.
> _
-
> Weak grin; not feeling great, but can't stop us from trollin'. "Hey, your girlfriend's a cat, and your cat on the side's a cat. What's one more?"
> Be nice, though, and let her ride in front.
> And we're off to the Human Village. Wave goodbye to Elly.
-
>Or behind, whatever side that Chen isn't on.
-
> Weak grin; not feeling great, but can't stop us from trollin'. "Hey, your girlfriend's a cat, and your cat on the side's a cat. What's one more?"
> Be nice, though, and let her ride in front.
> And we're off to the Human Village. Wave goodbye to Elly.
>Or behind, whatever side that Chen isn't on.
> You grin weakly and troll Nazrin.
> "Geez! It's not like that! Which cats are which in this case? You could be mixing them up on purpose!"
> You let her ride in front, though, which she seems to appreciate. Chen's curled up in Ran's tails.
> You all wave goodbye to Elly and head off to the Human Village. It's an uneventful ride, and soon you're back at the outskirts.
> _
-
> "This is probably where we split ways. Thanks for all your help, Nazrin."
> Ruffle her hair. "Have fun with Shou."
-
> "This is probably where we split ways. Thanks for all your help, Nazrin."
> Ruffle her hair. "Have fun with Shou."
> You say your goodbyes to Nazrin and ruffle her hair. She smiles.
> Is this the first time you've seen her smile like that?
> "...I-I guess you aren't...completely bad..." She jumps off Ran and waves.
> "See ya, Parsee!"
> With that, she runs off to the village.
> _
-
>"Well, I guess it's just us, Ran. Unless you wanna run off and spent time with Chen, I guess?"
-
>Elly's pretty badass to be a gatekeeper of that weirdo of a woman...
>We make quite some friends!
>How's Parsee feeling?
-
> We still need to go find Cirno, see if she's found that doll, or if Hourai ever made it inside the mansion.
-
>"Well, I guess it's just us, Ran. Unless you wanna run off and spent time with Chen, I guess?"
> 'I suppose so. I'd like to see the situation with Yuuka end safely, so I'm going to stick around until then.'
>Elly's pretty badass to be a gatekeeper of that weirdo of a woman...
>We make quite some friends!
>How's Parsee feeling?
> It's hard to believe Elly gatekeeps at Yuuka's house, of all places. She's pretty badass.
> There are lots of interesting people on the surface.
> You're feeling better now.
> We still need to go find Cirno, see if she's found that doll, or if Hourai ever made it inside the mansion.
> Oh, that's right, you need to find Cirno. Did Hourai make it into the mansion okay?
> _
-
> "Well, to find that doll, I'll need to go to that secret place, so why not spend some time with Chen? I can get some fried tofu at Kourin's when I have that dolly."
-
>"But...I suppose you could take me to the general location, if you wanted..."
>Please please please...
-
> "Well, to find that doll, I'll need to go to that secret place, so why not spend some time with Chen? I can get some fried tofu at Kourin's when I have that dolly."
>"But...I suppose you could take me to the general location, if you wanted..."
>Please please please...
> 'Sounds fair enough. I'll take you there and then go wait at Kourindou. Where do you need to go?'
> YES!
> _
-
"The lake region, please."
-
>"The lake region, please."
Fixed.
-
> "The lake region, please."
> "Oh, I know where you're talking about."
> Ran starts for the lake. Chen nearly disappears in Ran's tails for warmth when the air starts to chill. The closer to the lake you get, the more snow there is. Once you reach the lake itself, you find that it's snowing.
> _
-
> Really glad Konngara got us winter clothes.
> Dismount and stroke Ran's fur. "Thanks for the lift. I'll see you sometime later."
-
> Really glad Konngara got us winter clothes.
> Dismount and stroke Ran's fur. "Thanks for the lift. I'll see you sometime later."
> Good thing Konngara got you winter clothes. It's so cold.
> Ran nuzzles the top of your head. 'I'll be at Kourindou, then.' She sprints off with Chen in tow.
> Wow, the lake is completely frozen solid...oh? There are some people at the far end of the lake.
> _
-
> Is that where the mansion is? If it is, then approach stealthily.
-
>Also: Yay, nuzzlings!
-
>
If we're getting nuzzlings from Ran, does that mean that our social link with her has increased? Heck, we found Chen, so does that mean we maxed the Social Link?
-
> Is that where the mansion is? If it is, then approach stealthily.
> You see the mansion there, so you start towards it stealthily.
>Also: Yay, nuzzlings!
> Kyaa <3
> If we're getting nuzzlings from Ran, does that mean that our social link with her has increased? Heck, we found Chen, so does that mean we maxed the Social Link?
> social links social links social links social links
> It looks like it's mostly fairies...and one very tall person.
> Wait...
> _
-
>
Execute Tactical Espionage Action! Envy Cat is a go!
> ... Or just sneak up closer. Who are those guys...?
-
>Examine Tallbert from a distance.
-
> Execute Tactical Espionage Action! Envy Cat is a go!
> ... Or just sneak up closer. Who are those guys...?
> 3, 2, 1, gooo!
> You sneak closer. You recognize that fairy from the yakitori stand among the group of fairies, as well as Star Sapphire.
>Examine Tallbert from a distance.
> ...It's Konngara? She's wearing warmer-looking clothes. The fairies are zerg rushing talking to her. She's just leaning against the wall and listening to them chatter, more like.
> _
-
>Any faeries we know among them horde?
-
>Any faeries we know among them horde?
> The yakitori stand fairy and Star Sapphire. Other than that, they're all unfamiliar.
> _
-
>We'll leave her alone for now, and approach the hideout.
-
> ... How many of them?
> If we can't get to the hideout without passing them in full view, might as well approach.
> "Hey Konngara, Star."
-
>We'll leave her alone for now, and approach the hideout.
> You'll talk to her later...
> ... How many of them?
> If we can't get to the hideout without passing them in full view, might as well approach.
> "Hey Konngara, Star."
> ...No, there are too many of them, about a dozen or so. If you pass by now, you'll be in full view. You might as well approach.
> Konngara looks up. "Oh, there you are. That wind priestess was weak."
> _
-
>"What'd you do with her?"
-
> "And in her defense, she can't even fly without Yasaka being around, thanks to Kikuri."
-
>"What'd you do with her?"
> "I chased her all over the Ancient City. She was fast and that karakasa tried helping her, but I won and dragged her back to my place. See, I couldn't do that above ground because her goddess would have gotten in the way."
> "And in her defense, she can't even fly without Yasaka being around, thanks to Kikuri."
> "To her credit, even if she couldn't fly, she was still able to evade me pretty long without any magic."
> She talks about it so casually, even when there are fairies tugging at her sleeves and saying "hey, listen!".
> _
-
> "You didn't hurt her or Kogasa, did you?" That would be pretty bad...
> To the fairies: "Hey, you guys listen. You know where Cirno is, or that dolly that moved on her own?"
-
> "You didn't hurt her or Kogasa, did you?" That would be pretty bad...
> To the fairies: "Hey, you guys listen. You know where Cirno is, or that dolly that moved on her own?"
> "No. I had to make that karakasa move out of the way but she's fine."
> Phew.
> You ask the fairies if they know where Cirno is.
> "She's outside the entrance to the cellar with Dai-chan!" Star says. "We were able to get the doll into the mansion, but...well, it hasn't come out yet. And we were attacked by something in there."
> "That's what we were telling this lady here!" One of the fairies points to Konngara.
> _
-
> Ffffff...
> "That's not good; if that thing that killed the black-white's loose in there... was it one of the people that usually lives here?"
-
> Ffffff...
> "That's not good; if that thing that killed the black-white's loose in there... was it one of the people that usually lives here?"
> That mansion is causing problems!
> "No one we know," Star says. "It took all the food we were trying to take..." She looks disappointed. "Wait, what?!"
> _
-
> Rub head. Great, the monster's probably killed everybody down there, even poor Hourai.
> "I think I'll chat with Cirno a bit, then. By the way, have you seen another doll around here?" Describe Yuuka's doll. "An idiot celestial dropped it around here."
-
>"That is, blue-haired girl with a peach hat, huge jerk?"
-
> Rub head. Great, the monster's probably killed everybody down there, even poor Hourai.
> "I think I'll chat with Cirno a bit, then. By the way, have you seen another doll around here?" Describe Yuuka's doll. "An idiot celestial dropped it around here."
> That's the last thing you need right now.
> You describe Yuuka's doll to the fairies. They look at each other.
> "Um, we saw someone with a doll like that," Star says.
> Konngara shoos a fairy away from her. "There was a celestial here?"
>"That is, blue-haired girl with a peach hat, huge jerk?"
> "The girl with the doll had head wings and red hair."
> Ffffff
> _
-
>"Okay, and where is Headwings at?"
-
> Remember that girl that shot at us when we tried getting in the first time?
> "You have got to-"
> Pace around.
> "Aw, damn it, now I have to go in there."
Okay, that's all from me for the next few hours.
-
>There could be more than one headwings >=[
-
>"Okay, and where is Headwings at?"
> Star points to the mansion.
> Remember that girl that shot at us when we tried getting in the first time?
> "You have got to-"
> Pace around.
> "Aw, damn it, now I have to go in there."
> That was a while ago...you hope she doesn't remember you.
> Oh, dammit. You pace around.
>There could be more than one headwings >=[
> Tokiko had headwings, the redhead had headwings...who else?
> Konngara leans away from the wall. "What are you going to do if you run into that monster these fairies tell me about?"
> _
-
>"Don't know yet."
>Work on plan.
>To the fairies: "You guys sneak in to get food, right? Can you help me get in unnoticed?"
-
>"Don't know yet."
>Work on plan.
>To the fairies: "You guys sneak in to get food, right? Can you help me get in unnoticed?"
> "Hmm."
> How are you going to get in there? Last time was a disaster.
> Star raises her hand. "Remember my ability?"
> _
-
>"Oh yeah. That'll definitely help. Hey, what do you guys know about that monster, anyways?"
-
>"Oh yeah. That'll definitely help. Hey, what do you guys know about that monster, anyways?"
> Star pouts.
> The yakitori stand fairy speaks up. "Whenever it comes, everything gets really dark. Like, pitch black."
> _
-
>"Huh. Okay, that sounds irritating."
>Have we heard of or encountered anything like that? It's been awhile =[
-
>"Huh. Okay, that sounds irritating."
>Have we heard of or encountered anything like that? It's been awhile =[
> Ew.
> You've never encountered anything like that before.
> _
-
>"Alright. Star, you're with me. And, what're you going to be up to, Konngara?"
-
>"Alright. Star, you're with me. And, what're you going to be up to, Konngara?"
> Star flutters her wings.
> "It's either stay here and get hassled by fairies--"
> There's a loud chorus of disagreement from said fairies.
> "--or go in there. I'll follow."
> _
-
>"Right. Then there's nothing to worry about from any monster types. Star, you're on!"
>Head for the mansion.
-
>"Right. Then there's nothing to worry about from any monster types. Star, you're on!"
>Head for the mansion.
> The group of fairies disperse as you, Konngara, and Star head for the mansion.
> The three of you run across the courtyard and to the cellar door. You see a few more fairies there, standing around outside. Cirno and the mint green-haired fairy are among them..
> You notice that the some of the charms around the cellar door have fizzed out. Only half of the door itself is intact. Konngara takes one look at this and draws her sword, causing a few nearby fairies to scatter in panic. Cirno notices this.
> "Hey, what are you doin--huh?" She interrupts herself when she sees you. "Hi!"
> _
-
>"Hey Cirno, how's it going?"
-
>"Hey Cirno, how's it going?"
> "We barely got out of there alive," Cirno says. She scratches her back. "We managed to sneak that doll in okay, though."
> _
-
>Thumbs up.
>"What'd you see in there?"
-
>Thumbs up.
>"What'd you see in there?"
> You give Cirno a thumbs up. She stops scratching her back long enough to return it.
> "Hm~ There was a huge library. We didn't see anyone in it, though."
> Konngara stares at Cirno, as if the ice fairy(?) scratching her back bothers her.
> _
-
>"Where was it?"
-
>"Where was it?"
> "If you go through the cellar, and pass by all the food, there's a door at the end of room with some light coming from it."
> _
-
>What did the front door look like, again? And the various windows now that we can fly proper.
-
>What did the front door look like, again? And the various windows now that we can fly proper.
> The front door was caved in, so you won't be able to go through that way. There are some broken windows you could fly through, though.
> _
-
>"Well, I've got some business in there. You see the girl with the red hair and wings on her head?"
>Once Cirno answers, thank her and float up to glance through a busted window that looks in-climbable.
-
>"Well, I've got some business in there. You see the girl with the red hair and wings on her head?"
>Once Cirno answers, thank her and float up to glance through a busted window that looks in-climbable.
> "You're going in there? Good luck! Ah, I did see a girl like that at some point."
> You thank Cirno and fly up to one of the busted windows.
> When you look through, you see the remains of what was probably a bedroom, judging by the busted up bed in there. There's a hole in the floor that leads down.
> Star sticks her arm through the window, probably to test to see if she can fit through. The window is pretty decent-sized, but there's glass framing the outside of it. You're going to have to be careful.
> _
-
>Does it look like we could kick in the shards with a minimal of noise? Would our footwear be up to this?
-
>Does it look like we could kick in the shards with a minimal of noise? Would our footwear be up to this?
> You're definitely higher than the basement; you could probably kick in the shards and not have to worry about how much noise you make. Your shoes are pretty sturdy, too, so it wouldn't hurt you.
> _
-
>Kick 'em inside; hopefully not down the hole.
-
>Kick 'em inside; hopefully not down the hole.
> You start kicking the glass shards out of the window. A few of them fall down the hole, but you manage to make the window safe to fly through.
> Star immediately flies through and goes for the collapsed dresser on the other side of the room. Konngara flies in after her, but is more interested in the hole. She takes a splinter of wood from the bed and drops it down the hole, and then listens for it to hit the bottom.
> "...Yup, pretty far down, there." She looks over at Star. "What are you doing?"
> "If there's a dresser, then there have got to be clothes in here!" Star rumages through one of the drawers and holds up a frilly maid's dress, with an expression of pure joy on her face. "It's my size! I wonder if they had fairy maids here?"
> _
-
>Check the door; listen at it first for footsteps or other noises, then peer out if there's nothing alarming to be heard.
-
>Check the door; listen at it first for footsteps or other noises, then peer out if there's nothing alarming to be heard.
> You check the door, and listen for any noise. It's silent, so you peer out.
> It's very...red. Both the carpet and walls are red. There are paintings that line the walls. They're so faded and ruined that you can't tell who they're pictures of, but a few seem to have bat-like wings. There are holes in the floor here and there, and you feel a slight draft. At the end of the hallway, there are more smashed windows. Glass litters the floor.
> _
-
>Does it seem to be dirty and neglected? Are there any signs of people going through here?
-
>Does it seem to be dirty and neglected? Are there any signs of people going through here?
> It doesn't look like anyone has been through this hallway in a long time. If there really were maids here like Star guessed, they would probably be really mad about the mess right now.
> _
-
>"Right, so let's get looking."
>You know, Nazrin would've been handy here.
-
>"Welp, no one's been out there in forever."
>Check the hole.
-
>"Right, so let's get looking."
>You know, Nazrin would've been handy here.
> Star folds up the dress she's holding and throws it over her shoulder. It looked like she's hawked some other stuff, too; you see her stuff a few ribbons in her pockets. "Ah, okay, then."
> Konngara says nothing.
> Nazrin probably would have been helpful here, you think.
>"Welp, no one's been out there in forever."
>Check the hole.
> "They probably would've done something about the windows," Konngara muses.
> You check the hole. It spans down into a tunnel, at the end of which is complete darkness.
> Star hovers over and frowns. "I don't sense anything..."
> _
-
>Jump down, then?
-
>Hover down a bit, look around.
-
>Jump down, then?
>Hover down a bit, look around.
> It should be safe if Star doesn't detect anything, so the three of you start to float down a bit. It's very dark. Normally, you can see just fine in the dark, but this is kind of....
> Konngara raises her sword. It illuminates before a a few lazers shoot out of it and go soaring down the tunnel. The light briefly illuminates the caved in remains of many other rooms that form the tunnel before hitting the bottom and bursting.
> _
-
>Did it seem like those other rooms were open?
-
>Did it seem like those other rooms were open?
> No, they didn't really look safe to go near.
> Star floats a little furthur. "Still no one."
> _
-
>"Yeah, this looks like a terrible idea, and Konngara probably just kept us from being caved-in on."
>To the halls!
-
>"Yeah, this looks like a terrible idea, and Konngara probably just kept us from being caved-in on."
>To the halls!
> Star hastily flies back up the tunnel.
> "...A different route, then."
> Since the tunnel doesn't look very safe, the three of you take to the halls. Now that you're actually walking through them, they look like they looked really cool once. Star flies backwards, observing the ruined paintings with mild interest.
> "I heard rumors that vampires lived here," she says.
> _
-
>Head in whatever direction seems less hazardous.
>"Well, it's red enough for one."
-
>Head in whatever direction seems less hazardous.
>"Well, it's red enough for one."
> You all move towards a set of stairs that doesn't look like it's about to collapse. It leads down into another hallway; it's one way and leads to a single, ornate door at the end. There are chandeliers here; most have shattered on the floor, but there are others that have miraculously managed to survive.
> "'Cause they drink blood," Star giggles.
> Konngara looks around. "Wonder how long this place has been here."
> _
-
>"I dunno, but it looks pretty weird. All the walls are wood, and the doors don't slide."
>Approach the door, open it a crack and peek through.
-
>Check the area with the seeing stone.
-
>"I dunno, but it looks pretty weird. All the walls are wood, and the doors don't slide."
>Approach the door, open it a crack and peek through.
> "A lot of foreign architexture was like that..."
> You open the door a crack and peek through. You see a huge marble floor that's cracked. You really feel the draft now; actually it's icy air. This must be where the mansion is split in half.
>Check the area with the seeing stone.
> You scan the area. It's...Wow. There are a lot of wispy, ghost-like apparations of maids here with fairy wings. They all look like they're having fun slacking off of work.
> _
-
>"...Uh. Can faeries be ghosts? Because there's a bunch of them in there."
-
>"...Uh. Can faeries be ghosts? Because there's a bunch of them in there."
> Star's wings perk up. "They...they can...? There are a lot of them in here?" She looks past you into the room. "I don't see any."
> Konngara looks at the seeing stone for a moment, then towards the room in contemplation.
> _
-
>"Well, they look like they're not particularly hostile."
>Head inside; let Star see them through the stone if she wants to.
-
>"Well, they look like they're not particularly hostile."
>Head inside; let Star see them through the stone if she wants to.
> The three of you head into the room. It's huge. It looks like it was a ballroom once, a fancy place you would probably see in the Palace. One one half of the room, it actually looks like it was able to hold up well; there's even a staircase at the far end, winding down into the darkness. On the other side, the room is completely exposed. You see the rubble outside that you hid in when you first came here. Snow falls onto it now, settling on it and one half of the floor. There's a huge staircase and banister that winds up, but looks too unstable to ascend. With the damage done here, it doesn't look like it leads anywhere, either. On the ceiling is a crystal chandelier. It hangs unsteadily, like it will fall at any moment.
> You hand Star the seeing stone. She sprints to the center of the room and spins around, surveying the area. Konngara walks across the floor at a slower pace, eyeing the chandelier.
> "...I recognize her!" Star says, pointing to thin air in front of her. "Them, too; I used to see them in the Forest of Magic all the time." She turns around in a circle, then stops. Her wings droop. "I can't sense them, though."
> _
-
>Take the stone and look around. Do they seem to have noticed us?
>If not, call out, "Hey! Faeries!"
-
> "Hey, Konngara. Think we can rig that chandelier to fall on the monster if it comes up here?"
-
>Take the stone and look around. Do they seem to have noticed us?
>If not, call out, "Hey! Faeries!"
> You take the stone back from Star and look around. It doesn't look like they've noticed you. You call out to them, but they don't seem to hear you, either.
> "Hey, Konngara. Think we can rig that chandelier to fall on the monster if it comes up here?"
> Konngara looks up at the chandelier. "Probably. Or we could just blast it down. Did you have an idea?"
> _
-
>"We'll keep it in mind as a fallback."
>Use the stone to determine if there are any faeries near us. If so, try tapping on on the shoulder, see if we feel anything.
>If this doesn't work, see if we can influence just a little bit of jealousy in one toward...Konngara's awesome sword, just for a moment.
-
>"We'll keep it in mind as a fallback."
>Use the stone to determine if there are any faeries near us. If so, try tapping on on the shoulder, see if we feel anything.
>If this doesn't work, see if we can influence just a little bit of jealousy in one toward...Konngara's awesome sword, just for a moment.
> Konngara nods.
> You look around with the stone again. There's a fairy near you, so you try tapping her on the shoulder. Your hand goes right through her, but you briefly feel very cold. She looks around for a moment, confused, but doesn't seem to see you.
> You try inducing jealousy. The fairy is tinted with green for a moment, and then it disappears. The fairy runs over to where Konngara is, but goes right through her and keeps going until she runs into another fairy by accident. They both fall to the ground, and the other fairies around them laugh.
> _
-
> "Well... It seems physical contact at least does something."
-
> "Well... It seems physical contact at least does something."
> Star tries waving her arms around.
> "Are there any near me?" Konngara asks.
> _
-
> Massage hand
>They're not completely removed from us at least. And that one sure noticed Konngara; did you feel that bit of cold?"
>Observe jealous faerie; turn off the jealousy if we haven't already. Does she seem to be paying us any mind now? Are there any near Konngara?
-
> Massage hand
>They're not completely removed from us at least. And that one sure noticed Konngara; did you feel that bit of cold?"
>Observe jealous faerie; turn off the jealousy if we haven't already. Does she seem to be paying us any mind now? Are there any near Konngara?
> You massage your hand. Cooold.
> Konngara shakes her head. "Didn't feel anything."
> The fairy that you inflicted with jealousy doesn't look jealous anymore. She has gone back to dancing around the floor.
> There are a few near Konngara, playing rock-paper-scissors.
> _
-
>"There's a couple playing janken near you, Konngara. Just over there."
>Gesture at them.
-
>"There's a couple playing janken near you, Konngara. Just over there."
>Gesture at them.
> Konngara looks in the direction you gesture to and swipes at it.
> That was a violent reaction...at least she didn't swing her sword at them.
> The fairies don't even notice.
> _
-
>"They didn't notice. One of them did notice you, though, when I kinda made you jealous of your sword. I think they're kinda just lost in their own little world."
-
>"They didn't notice. One of them did notice you, though, when I kinda made you jealous of your sword. I think they're kinda just lost in their own little world."
> Konngara glances around again but doesn't say anything.
> "How does that work?" Star asks.
> _
-
>"How does your ability work? It's just what I can do."
-
>"How does your ability work? It's just what I can do."
> "I can sense things moving..." Star flutters her wings. "Huh."
> "As long as you can use it, that doesn't really matter," Konngara says as she surveys the room. "This place really got cut in half, didn't it--"
> "There's someone near the stairs down there!" Star interrupts. She points to the stairs leading downwards.
> _
-
>Look around for other features of note.
-
>Look around for other features of note.
> The roof is distorted and curved where it cuts off.
> "Hey, don't interrupt people when they're talking."
> "But it looked like you were done talking, anyway."
> _
-
>"Actually, now that I think about it, Star, do you feel them? Even a little bit?"
-
>"Actually, now that I think about it, Star, do you feel them? Even a little bit?"
> Star shakes her head. "No...not at all."
> _
-
>"So it doesn't work on ghosts. Wonder if it'd work on evil spirits?"
>Do there seem to be any other obvious exits aside from the stairs and the way we came in?
-
>"So it doesn't work on ghosts. Wonder if it'd work on evil spirits?"
>Do there seem to be any other obvious exits aside from the stairs and the way we came in?
> Konngara looks mildly interested when you mention evil spirits.
> There's a door in the corner of the room, hanging off its hinges.
> _
-
>Peek through the unhinged door.
-
>Peek through the unhinged door.
> You check the unhinged door. It's pitch black in there.
> _
-
>Frown at this.
>Do we remember any parts of the mansion with no windows or obvious damage from the outside?
-
>Frown at this.
>Do we remember any parts of the mansion with no windows or obvious damage from the outside?
> Even with being able to see in the dark...
> The cellar where you got that wine didn't have any windows. Come to think of it, when you got a glance at the room the headwing girl came from you remember seeing any windows there, either.
> _
-
>There's a hole in the roof, right?
>If so: Back away from the darkness, say, "I'll be right back, checking something," Then fly through the hole and look at that part of the mansion from the outside.
-
>There's a hole in the roof, right?
>If so: Back away from the darkness, say, "I'll be right back, checking something," Then fly through the hole and look at that part of the mansion from the outside.
> There has to be, if there was a hole in that bedroom.
> You back away from the darkness and tell Konngara and Star that you'll be right back. You then fly back through hole and check the roof.
> There's a hole in the it, all right. You can see where the roof itself cuts off. It's kind of weird, how one half of the mansion is in shambles and the other looks fine...on the outside, at least. There isn't much up here that's interesting, but you get a good view of the lake.
> _
-
>Check the mansion with the seeing stone.
-
>Check the mansion with the seeing stone.
> You check the mansion with the seeing stone. There really doesn't seem to be--what is that?!
> There's a black funnel, spiraling down into the tunnel that you first saw upon coming into the mansion. It looks like it could suck you in, but you're right next to it and nothing's happening...how ominous. You look over the edge of the roof where the cellar door is and see more black leaking from the cellar door.
> Where the roof cuts off, there are little bronze particles. When you look over the edge of that side, you see more bronze particles among the rubble, and some purple will-o-wisps. On the top of the remains of the clock tower, you see some scarlet particles that are almost gone.
> _
-
>Grimace. How close is that funnel to the darkened part of the house?
-
>Weere is the funnel coming from?
-
>Grimace. How close is that fun to the darkened part of the house?
> Ohhhh.
> You lean over the edge of the roof and look into the destroyed room where you saw the fairy-ghosts.
> The blackness is pouring out of the unhinged door room where you were standing earlier. There doesn't seem to be any of it near the downwards staircase, though.
>Weere is the funnel coming from?
> It stretches into the sky, then disappates.
> _
-
>Descend.
>"Okay...so that place over there?"
>Gesture toward the darkened area.
>"That's bad news and we need to go in there never."
>Were the bronze and purple particles in that direction?
-
>Descend.
>"Okay...so that place over there?"
>Gesture toward the darkened area.
>"That's bad news and we need to go in there never."
>Were the bronze and purple particles in that direction?
> You descend and tell Konngara and Star about the darkened area. Star moves away from it.
> "It's not coming from the staircase too, is it?" Konngara asks.
> No, they were only in the rubble and where the roof cut off.
> _
-
>Could we pinpoint where they were?
>"Not near the stairs, no."
-
>Could we pinpoint where they were?
>"Not near the stairs, no."
> They kind of formed a long strip. The will-o-wisps were just scattered.
> "Probably safe to go down there, then."
> _
-
>"That 'someone' still down there, Star?"
-
>"That 'someone' still down there, Star?"
> Star flies closer to the staircase. "...I don't sense them anymore."
> _
-
>"Well then... let's go"
>With caution
-
>"Star, if you sense anyone again, let me know."
-
>Go peek down the stairs first, before descending.
-
>"Well then... let's go"
>With caution
>Go peek down the stairs first, before descending.
> Before you descend the staircase, you quickly check it to see if it's safe. There's literally nothing down there but stairs. It should be okay.
> The three of you start down the stairs. It's dark down here, but not like the pitch black you saw in the unhinged door room.
> You don't want a repeat of last time, so you all proceed with caution.
>"Star, if you sense anyone again, let me know."
> "Okay."
> As you reach the bottom of the stairs, it stretches out into a hallway. You see a door at the end of it that's ajar, with some light spilling out of it.
> Star's wings perk up again. "There's someone around where the door is."
> _
-
>Nod.
>Hold up a finger to our lips in the universal quiet sign.
>Float toward the door, and peer in through the ajar bit; listen as well.
-
>Nod.
>Hold up a finger to our lips in the universal quiet sign.
>Float toward the door, and peer in through the ajar bit; listen as well.
> You nod and motion for them to be quiet. You then float to the door and sneak a peek, as well as listen for anything.
> Cirno was right; it's definitely a library. The bookshelves reach up very, very high, and it makes you wonder if those stairs were longer than you thought; you have to deduce that you're under the mansion at this point. The bookshelves themselves are crammed with books, and you see a clock on one far end of one of the walls. There are lanterns floating around in the air, attached to bookshelves...One part of the library is pitch black, but it's far away from where you are.
> Nearby, you see a desk that is overflowing with books, papers and quills, and other magical paraphanalia. It's quite warm and bright over there, since there's a fireplace nearby that's kept seperate from the rest of the library with a gate. Sitting in a puffy, high-backed armchair is a young girl dressed in a mauve nightdress, complete with a hat decked with ribbons (paper charms?) and a cresent moon-shaped charm. Her hair, which matches her eyes, is very long and purple, and you notice that there are a few charms tied in her hair as well. Although she looks rather pale and sickly, you can't help but think she's very cute and fluffy-looking, like a stuffed doll. She has a heavy tome on her lap and is muttering very quickly to herself, but you can't make out anything she's saying. Occassionally, she coughs in a distinctive "mukyuumukyuu" sound and reaches for a strange L-shaped contraption.
> There's also a megaphone sitting on her desk. Is she the loud voice you heard the first time you came here?
> _
-
>Knock on the door.
-
>Knock on the door.
> You knock on the door. The girl jolts and nearly drops her tome. She looks towards the door and starts digging through her pockets.
> "...cardsspellcardswherearetheywheredidIputthemthey'renothere..." you hear her mumble. She pushes the tome off her lap and starts digging through the books on her desk.
> "...folderwhereismyfolderifoneofthemtookmyspellcardsI'mgoingto..."
> _
-
> "Uh, hey, we're not here to fight."
-
>"Yeah, I wouldn't knock if I were up to something."
-
> "Uh, hey, we're not here to fight."
> The girl stops rumaging around her desk and looks towards the doorway.
>"Yeah, I wouldn't knock if I were up to something."
> "Youcouldbetryingtotrickme."
> _
-
>Sigh.
>"Wouldn't a better trick involve one that doesn't make you suspicious until it's too late to do anything about it? Give me some credit here, jeez."
>Invite self in.
>"So, what's the deal with this place? Pretty nice for a crumbly old mansion."
-
>Sigh.
>"Wouldn't a better trick involve one that doesn't make you suspicious until it's too late to do anything about it? Give me some credit here, jeez."
>Invite self in.
>"So, what's the deal with this place? Pretty nice for a crumbly old mansion."
> Geez.
> "Wh-wh--"
> The girl gapes as you all walk into the library anyway. When she sees Konngara, she stutters.
> "O-o-o-oni?"
> She tries to regain her composure. "This place is Voile: my library. It has managed to stay unharmed, so it might seem strange if you have seen the rest of the mansion..." She trails off as Konngara picks up the megaphone.
> "What do you need a megaphone for?"
> "Please put that down."
> Konngara returns the megaphone to the desk and turns to look at the library itself.
> _
-
> "At least you're talking normally... So, what's going on with this loose monster?"
-
> "At least you're talking normally... So, what's going on with this loose monster?"
> "I always talk normally--" The girl frowns. "How did you know...?"
> "Everyone knows," Star says matter-of-factly as she meanders towards the bookshelves.
> "Tsk...we've been trying to keep her locked up, too..."
> _
-
>"In fact, I'm kinda sure she ran off a little bit ago."
-
> "Did it manage to kill anyone this time around?"
> Poke through some books on the shelves. What kinds of books are they?
-
>"In fact, I'm kinda sure she ran off a little bit ago."
> "No, she's still here, she's still in the library..." The girl gestures to the dark part. "That would be gone otherwise--"
> She reaches for the megaphone.
> "Koa." Her voice amplifies and echoes. "Come here."
> She puts the megaphone down. "My familiar will arrive shortly to confirm..."
> "Did it manage to kill anyone this time around?"
> Poke through some books on the shelves. What kinds of books are they?
> The girl shudders. "The entire fairy staff I had in the library--" Star squeaks fearfully. "As well as the fairies that survived in the mansion itself..."
> You poke through the books. A lot of them are engraved with seals, and in languages you don't recognize. You manage to find one in a language you can understand, but it's all drivel on summoning, and goes through one ear and right out the other.
> _
-
> "Wait, so this thing can kill fairies permanently?"
> That sounds a lot like what we've heard about Kikuri.
-
> "Wait, so this thing can kill fairies permanently?"
> That sounds a lot like what we've heard about Kikuri.
> "If eating counts as permanent death, then yes. I should correct myself; she's very...gluttonous."
> Kikuri can perma-kill fairies, too, huh.
> Star points towards one of the bookshelves. "Someone's coming from that way."
> Konngara looks towards the direction that Star pointed towards.
> "It's just my familiar."
> _
-
> "So aside from the fairies, the only ones who lived here was you and your assistant? Seems a damn big place for two people."
-
>"And you know about all the ghosts out there, right?"
>Gesture toward the stairs.
-
> "So aside from the fairies, the only ones who lived here was you and your assistant? Seems a damn big place for two people."
> "No...the mansion was run by the vampire Remilia Scarlet, the head maid was Izayoi Sakuya, and the gate guard was Hong Meiling. This place was once very proud and a popular place for parties, many of which were attended by...the little sister...who is also in the library with us today."
>"And you know about all the ghosts out there, right?"
>Gesture toward the stairs.
> "Ghosts? I know not of those being here..."
> As the girl is talking, her familiar comes running out from behind a bookshelf and in front of the girl's desk.
> Oh no, it's headwings.
> "What is it, Lady Patchy--"
> She sees the three of you. When she sees you, she scowls.
> White.
> "Koa," the girl says sternly. "How many times have I told you not to lift your skirt at people?"
> Headwings lets her skirt fall back.
> _
-
> Stare blankly at "Koa", then turn to Konngara. "So, is flashing undies a greeting up here? She's the second person t'do that."
-
>"Because that's some local flavor I'm not joining in on."
-
> Stare blankly at "Koa", then turn to Konngara. "So, is flashing undies a greeting up here? She's the second person t'do that."
> ...'kay then.
> Konngara shakes her head. "That's the first time I've seen someone do that..."
>"Because that's some local flavor I'm not joining in on."
> "No, no, please don't use Koa's actions as a yardstick to measure everyone's behavior," the girl says quickly. "Koa." She turns to Koa. "Where's Lumia right now?"
> Koa raises an eyebrow. "Creeping around in the back as usual, miss."
> "Wasn't the little sister--"
> Koa shakes her head. "Nuh-uh, she's in the basement right now."
> _
-
> "'Lumia'? Is that the monster?"
-
>"Wait, this isn't the basement? How many downstairs do you guys even have?"
-
> "Is it basements all the way down or something?"
-
> "'Lumia'? Is that the monster?"
> Koa looks at you, then the girl. "Do these people know about...?"
> "Not just them, apparently."
>"Wait, this isn't the basement? How many downstairs do you guys even have?"
> "Is it basements all the way down or something?"
> Does this place just keep going down forever?
> "The first level is the mansion, the first basement is the library, and the third level is the second and final basement, which is where the little sister is right now," the girl explains. "I imagine she's going to hear us talking and come upstairs to see what's going on at some point..."
> _
-
> "So, what happened to the vampire, or that gate guard, or that maid that you mentioned earlier? Did Lumia get them too?"
-
> "So, what happened to the vampire, or that gate guard, or that maid that you mentioned earlier? Did Lumia get them too?"
> The girl shakes her head. Koa wanders off towards one of the bookshelves.
> "We all went out to fight, a few months back..." She sits back down on the chair. "...I don't know what happened to Remi or Izayoi; it was too chaotic, but they haven't returned. I had to release Meiling from our contract, so I wouldn't have to expend too much power and exert myself..."
> _
-
>"And who's this little sister?"
-
>"And who's this little sister?"
> "Flandre Scarlet. Would you like to meet her?"
> _
-
> Shrug. "Makes no difference to me. You guys aren't really the reasons we came down here. We're just looking for two dollies: a cute one named Hourai, and another one with crosses on her dress."
-
> Shrug. "Makes no difference to me. You guys aren't really the reasons we came down here. We're just looking for two dollies: a cute one named Hourai, and another one with crosses on her dress."
> Koa, who is retreating into one of the aisles, goes pale.
> "Two dolls...you say?"
> The girl, who has returned to her tome, briefly glances up. "Do you possibly know Alice...? I sent the doll on her way so she could continue running errands, but..."
> _
-
>"Well, it never got back. And Koa, someone matching your description was seen picking up the other doll. Do you know what happened to it?"
-
>"Well, it never got back. And Koa, someone matching your description was seen picking up the other doll. Do you know what happened to it?"
> "Ahhhaha..." Koa scratches the back of her head. "Iiii kinda gave it to the little sister because she wanted a companion for the other doll she had. Something to play wiiith~"
> _
-
>"Other doll? Where'd she find the other one?"
>"Sounds like I really should meet her."
-
>"Other doll? Where'd she find the other one?"
>"Sounds like I really should meet her."
> "She already had it by the time I gave her the second one..." Koa keeps glancing nervously at the girl, who has hidden herself behind her book.
> "So we just get her to give us the dolls..." Konngara sheathes her sword.
> _
-
> "In that case, we'll need to talk to the younger sister: that doll belongs to Yuuka Kazami."
-
>"And there's kind of an issue around it."
-
> "In that case, we'll need to talk to the younger sister: that doll belongs to Yuuka Kazami."
> "Aha...R-really?"
>"And there's kind of an issue around it."
> "That's kind of--"
> "Koa, perhaps it would be in everyone's best interest if they get those dolls out of here, if they reallly are in any way connected to Kazami."
> "Eh, I guess so..."
> _
-
>"At the same time, it'd be pretty lousy to just take the little girl's dolls. Maybe we can arrange for her to go visit Alice or something?"
-
>"At the same time, it'd be pretty lousy to just take the little girl's dolls. Maybe we can arrange for her to go visit Alice or something?"
> The girl flips a page in her tome. "Perhaps."
> _
-
>"Okay, it'll probably do Alice some good to meet people, anyways."
-
>"Okay, it'll probably do Alice some good to meet people, anyways."
> "Well then, Koa."
> Koa's headwings flap. "Yes ma'am!" She salutes, but you can't tell if she's being mocking or not. "This way."
> She turns on her heels and starts off down one of the aisles of books. Star, who is trying to make sense of one of the books, puts it back on the shelf and follows her.
> _
-
> Follow along. Keep an eye on that dark section over there.
-
> Follow along. Keep an eye on that dark section over there.
> You, Konngara, and Star follow Koa past the bookshelves. As you walk, you keep an eye on the dark section. It looks kind of like a parasite, the way it hangs around over there.
> Once you're out of the girl's hearing range, Koa turns and walks backwards while facing you.
> "You, what the hell were you doing breaking our doors, huh?"
> "What?"
> Koa waves at Konngara dismissively. "Not you."
> _
-
> As an aside: "Damn, so you remember that, huh?"
-
"I dunno. What're you doing nabbing other people's dolls. Maybe I ought let Yuka know about that?"
-
> As an aside: "Damn, so you remember that, huh?"
> "Yes. When I came back to the storeroom later I realized we were missing some wine. That wasn't you, too, was it?"
> "You guys keep wine here?"
> "I'm not talking to you!"
> Konngara narrows her eyes at Koa.
"I dunno. What're you doing nabbing other people's dolls. Maybe I ought let Yuka know about that?"
> Koa's headwings flatten down on her head. "Geez, it's not like I knew that was her doll! I figured some fairy dropped it and wouldn't care what happened..."
> _
-
> "Well, technically a celestial did, but it doesn't excuse you from playing with other people's stuff."
> Operation: Shift Conversation Away From Us, execute!
-
> "Well, technically a celestial did, but it doesn't excuse you from playing with other people's stuff."
> Operation: Shift Conversation Away From Us, execute!
> "A celestial? Yeah, right."
> You decide to try avoiding furthur conversation with her.
> Koa looks unsatisfied with the outcome of the conversation, but turns away and starts walking forward again.
> Star isn't paying attention at all; she keeps tilting her head so she can try reading the spines of the different books.
> _
-
And we're following, and we're following...
-
Stop stealing my catchphrases, Guy >_<
> "So, you guys know that you have a weird ass funnel sucking auras and stuff out of the mansion? Purple wisps, red stuff from the clocktower..."
-
And we're following, and we're following...
> The three of you continue to follow Koa past the bookcases, making several twists and turns and getting dangerously close to the darkness along the way. It's at this point that Koa hastens her pace, and soon you all are standing in front of an inconspicuous wooden door at the far end of the library.
> "This leads into another set of stairs," Koa explains as she fishes a ring of keys out of her pocket and searches for the right one. "And then there's a one way hallway leading to the little sister's room."
> "So, you guys know that you have a weird ass funnel sucking auras and stuff out of the mansion? Purple wisps, red stuff from the clocktower..."
> "Since when?" Koa holds up a brass key. "Here it is. We don't have anything like that." She unlocks the door and opens it, revealing a winding staircase. Small lanterns dot the walls.
> _
-
> "You're just not looking correctly. Anyways, after you."
-
>"It's an aura kind of thing. Really freaky. And that big room the stairs open up to? You ever notice the cold spots?"
-
> "You're just not looking correctly. Anyways, after you."
> "I'll tell Lady Patchy about it later or something," Koa says as she starts to walk down the stairs. As she walks, she fishes around for another key.
>"It's an aura kind of thing. Really freaky. And that big room the stairs open up to? You ever notice the cold spots?"
> "Cold spots? Maybe once or twice, but that's because it's almost winter and the room is exposed to the outside."
> _
-
>"Actually, those would be ghosts. You get a cold feeling in your face? That's because you just got a faceful of ghost."
-
> "So, you lock the door to protect the younger sister?"
-
>"Actually, those would be ghosts. You get a cold feeling in your face? That's because you just got a faceful of ghost."
> Koa shivers. "Ghosts?"
> You all soon find yourselves standing in front of another door. Unlike the wooden door, this one seems to be made of some sturdier material, and has a combination lock instead of a lock with a key. Koa knocks on the door and calls out.
> "Little sister? There are some people here to see youuu."
> You hear a young girl's voice answer. "Okaaay~"
> "So, you lock the door to protect the younger sister?"
> Koa nods as she starts to twist the combination lock. "Yes. It's also something her sister practiced, loooong story...There." The lock comes undone.
> _
-
> Wait.
-
>"...That doesn't open from the inside, does it?"
-
> "Then how the hell can she get out?" Didn't that sick girl say something about her coming up on her own earlier...?
-
>Before anything moves, ask Koa "Hey, Your Mistress said that she had to terminate her deal with your gatekeeper... so where is the gatekeeper then?"
-
> Wait.
> You wait.
>"...That doesn't open from the inside, does it?"
> "It sure does. Hey, it wasn't my idea."
> "Then how the hell can she get out?" Didn't that sick girl say something about her coming up on her own earlier...?
> Koa shakes her head when you ask how she's able to get out. "Oh, she has her ways."
>Before anything moves, ask Koa "Hey, Your Mistress said that she had to terminate her deal with your gatekeeper... so where is the gatekeeper then?"
> Right before Koa opens the door, you ask her what happened to the gate guard.
> "She unsummoned her, basically. God knows where she is now, but she really liked this place, so I think she'll come back on her own eventually."
> "Okay little sister, we're coming in then," Koa says as she opens the door.
> The room inside is actually very nice, well-furnished and spacious. There are no windows, but small lanterns on each corner of the wall. The walls are stone, and the floor is carpeted. At the center of the room, pushed up against the wall, is a four poster bed with plush-looking, scarlet bedclothes. There's a dresser one side of the room, a sofa on the other, and a chest at the foot of the bed.
> A blonde girl who looks about Koishi's age is on the bed, laying on her stomach. She's wearing a red dress, a ribbon in her hair and...there are what looks like iron bars coming out of her back. They have crystals every color of the rainbow hanging off them. Are those wings?
> She's holding Hourai in one hand and another doll in the other. The other doll has blonde hair, a red ribbon, crosses on her dress...that's definitely the doll Yuuka is looking for.
> _
-
> "Well, hello there. Oh, and hi, Hourai."
-
> "Well, hello there. Oh, and hi, Hourai."
> "What?" The iron-winged girl sits up and hugs the dolls to her chest. Hourai waves at you.
> Koakuma walks into the room and takes a seat on the sofa. Star flutters in and looks around at the room, while Konngara hangs back towards the door.
> "This place got really full all of the sudden! Are you here to play?" iron-winged girl asks.
> _
-
>Does she look older the US? or about our age?
-
> Move in front of the girl and kneel to her eye level.
> "Well, not really. We're just looking for our friend's dolls, those ones that you have. That one's Hourai, and that one's..." Um...
-
>"That one's kinda important."
>So she's a little kid, Maybe little kid logic and appeals to morality will work...
-
>Does she look older the US? or about our age?
> She looks about Koishi's age, so younger than you.
> Move in front of the girl and kneel to her eye level.
> "Well, not really. We're just looking for our friend's dolls, those ones that you have. That one's Hourai, and that one's..." Um...
> You kneel in front of the girl and tell her about the dolls.
> The girl scowls and holds the dolls closer. "You can't have them. They're fun to play with and I haven't broken them yet~"
> "Manners, little siste--"
> "Kyu~"
> The cushion Koa is resting her head against explodes, and she bolts upright. "Gyah! You tryin' to kill me?"
>"That one's kinda important."
>So she's a little kid, Maybe little kid logic and appeals to morality will work...
> You point out how important the dolls are.
> "But...they're nice..." Her face falls a bit.
> _
-
>"Yeah, that's part of why they're important. So...I'll tell you what. You know about Alice?"
-
> "She's the one that made that dolly," pointing at Hourai. "I bet she'll be more than happy to make you another dolly or two for you to play with."
-
>"Yeah, that's part of why they're important. So...I'll tell you what. You know about Alice?"
> "Who's 'Alice'?" the girl asks. Koa snorts as she stuffs the filling back into the ruined pillow.
> "She's the one that made that dolly," pointing at Hourai. "I bet she'll be more than happy to make you another dolly or two for you to play with."
> Hourai gives another little wave. The girl looks down at Hourai, her eyes sparkling.
> "She can make dolls like this? So she can make...custom-made dolls?!"
> _
-
>"I bet she could. And you know what? She owes me one."
>Whether she likes it or not. >=|
-
>"I bet she could. And you know what? She owes me one."
>Whether she likes it or not. >=|
> "Let's go~" The girl jumps off the bed and grabs some shoes from the floor. "I wanna custom doll!" One of the lanterns bursts, only leaving behind a few glass shards.
> "Geez, little sister," Koa complains as she runs over to collect the shards.
> Alice owes you a favor whether she wants to or not.
> _
-
>"Um..."
>Do we want this kid around Ran? No we don't...
>"Hey Hourai, could you show us the way to Alice's house?"
-
>"Um..."
>Do we want this kid around Ran? No we don't...
>"Hey Hourai, could you show us the way to Alice's house?"
> Whenever this kid is excited, things explode: note taken. Keep her away from Ran.
> Hourai nods and wriggles out of the girl's arms.
> "Hourai!" Star waves her arms at Hourai, who crawls on top of the iron-winged girl's head and points to the doorway. Konngara leans away to avoid getting pointed at.
> _
-
"Okay, I guess so. So, there's no one you really have to ask for permission, right?"
-
"Okay, I guess so. So, there's no one you really have to ask for permission, right?"
> "What permission?" Part of the stone wall cracks.
> _
-
>"Wait, so you just blow a hole in the wall whenever you want to go out?"
-
>"Okay. Then there's something very important we need to talk about. You see this blowing stuff up and cracking walls thing? That's really rude, you know? So, that'll definitely need to come to a stop before I can take you to Alice's house."
-
>"Wait, so you just blow a hole in the wall whenever you want to go out?"
> "Yeah! Like this: kyuu~" The girl closes her fist, and the door falls off its hinges. Koa gapes at the fallen door.
>"Okay. Then there's something very important we need to talk about. You see this blowing stuff up and cracking walls thing? That's really rude, you know? So, that'll definitely need to come to a stop before I can take you to Alice's house."
> "But...ky--"
> "Little sis," Koa says in a warning voice. The girl pouts.
> "Fine. I'll stop for the custom doll."
> _
-
>"Then let's get going. Hourai, lead the way."
-
>And let us hope the only place we go to on this trip IS Alice's house. We're so returning Flandre back once we've done.
-
>"Then let's get going. Hourai, lead the way."
> "Yay~!" Flandre doesn't destroy anything else, and hurries to get a hooded coat out of the dresser.
> Hourai floats unsteadily off the girl's head and out the door. You all follow her out of the basement and into the library.
> The girl with the tome looks up and sees Flandre. "That's right, wear a coat," she says. "It's cold outside. Koa, stay here."
> "Yes ma'am." Is she joking around? You honestly can't tell.
>And let us hope the only place we go to on this trip IS Alice's house. We're so returning Flandre back once we've done.
> The only place you're taking Flandre is Alice's house.
> Hourai starts to float towards the door you took to get here.
> _
-
>Follow that doll!
-
>Take Flandre by the hand friendly
>"So, let's go" smile warmly.
> Off we go after that doll. We can't have our girl bored though, so we have to strike a conversation for the sake of our lives.
>"So, how old are you?"
-
>Because asking people how old they are is just asking for it.
>"So, why do you live in such a locked-up place?"
-
>"What happened around here, anyways?"
-
>Take Flandre by the hand friendly
>"So, let's go" smile warmly.
> Off we go after that doll. We can't have our girl bored though, so we have to strike a conversation for the sake of our lives.
>"So, how old are you?"
> You take Flandre by the hand and smile at her. She grins widely.
> "Yeah!"
> Star looks at you and Flandre for a moment. Then she looks at Konngara and holds out her hand. "Me, too!"
> Is she jealous?
> "What?" Konngara looks taken aback, but takes her hand. "Um, okay..."
> As you all follow Hourai out of the library, you start to converse with Flandre. You ask her how old she is.
> "I'm 503 years old!" she says proudly.
>Because asking people how old they are is just asking for it.
>"So, why do you live in such a locked-up place?"
> The age question is a good ice breaker...you think.
> You ask Flandre why she lives in such a locked-up place.
> "Um...When we moved here, sis told me to stay down here. I get my meals brought to me and Patchy reads me bedtime stories. It's fun!"
>Follow that doll!
> You, Flandre, Star, and Konngara follow Hourai out of the library and into the destroyed room. Flandre puts up her hood.
> "Patchy put seals on this so I wouldn't burn when I go outside," she informs you.
>"What happened around here, anyways?"
> "Um, this weird moon came into the sky so I tried to kyuu it, but its eye was too big so we just attacked it lots. It blew up a lot of stuff; that was scary..."
> _
-
> "I see..."
> Figured as much.
> Ponder possibility of getting Nazrin to look for the maid, vampire, and gatekeeper.
-
>"Do you ever get bored of being in that basement?"
-
> "I see..."
> Figured as much.
> Ponder possibility of getting Nazrin to look for the maid, vampire, and gatekeeper.
> Nothing really secretive behind the mansion's current state; looks like it was just blasted down.
> You wonder if Nazrin could look for the maid, vampire, and gatekeeper.
> "We came in through a window, are we going to go back that way?" Konngara asks. "It'd probably be easier to climb the rubble out at this rate."
>"Do you ever get bored of being in that basement?"
> "Mmm....yeah. Whenever sis held parties I was allowed to come out, though~"
> _
-
>Use whatever route the doll does.
-
>Use whatever route the doll does.
> Hourai heads straight for the rubble, so you all follow her. You end up flying over the rubble, and soon you're in front of the mansion again.
> There are still fairies hanging around; you see Cirno and the mint green-haired fairy sitting on top of the brick wall near the gate.
> Flandre looks up at the sky. "It's still there!" She points to Kikuri. A few fairies notice Flandre and watch her curiously.
> "She won't be there forever," Konngara says.
> _
-
> "No, she won't."
> Call out to Cirno. "Hey, can you do me a favor? Can you go to Kourindou and tell the kitsune there that I'm going to Alice's on my own?"
-
>"Tell her I'll be there afterward, it's just a detour."
>To Flan: "So what did you do down there?"
-
> "No, she won't."
> Call out to Cirno. "Hey, can you do me a favor? Can you go to Kourindou and tell the kitsune there that I'm going to Alice's on my own?"
> "Ohh..." Flandre holds her hand up to the sky. "Looks kinda like a penny, but bigger!"
> You call out to Cirno and ask her to go to Kourindou. Her wings fan out with excitement and nearly knock over the mint green-haired fairy. When did her wings get so big?
>"Tell her I'll be there afterward, it's just a detour."
>To Flan: "So what did you do down there?"
> "There's a kitsune there?!" Cirno leaps off the brick wall and flies off. "I'm on it!"
> The fairies are chattering excitedly now. You can't help but notice how much they act like the fairy ghosts you saw back in the destroyed room.
> You ask Flan what she does in the basement.
> "Um, I have lots of toys, so I play with them a lot. I accidentally kyuu a lot of them, though...oh, and Patchy brings me books! And sometimes Koa and I have tea parties. Sakuya's always too busy, so she can never join us."
> _
-
>"Who's Sakuya?"
>Keep following that Hourai.
-
> "Why do you 'kyuu' your dolls?"
> And we're walking, and we're walking...
> Glance back at Konngara and Star.
-
>"Who's Sakuya?"
>Keep following that Hourai.
> "The head maid! She's really cool and brings me cake~"
> Hourai flies past the gate and along the path that leads around the lake. The Forest of Magic is pretty close to the lake itself, so...
> "Why do you 'kyuu' your dolls?"
> And we're walking, and we're walking...
> Glance back at Konngara and Star.
> "I don't mean to." Flandre hugs Yuuka's doll with her free arm. "It's by accident."
> As you walk into the Forest of Magic, you glance back at Konngara and Star. Star is still holding Konngara's hand and skipping along. It's actually kind of cute; they almost look like mother and child that way.
> _
-
> Ah, that's understandable: sometimes we can't control our own jealousy.
> "Lookin' cute together, you two." Grin at Star and Konngara.
-
>"What's Sakuya like? I think I sorta managed to get around her? And what's that librarian's deal, anyways?"
>Wait, does Hourai actually have that medicine on her?
-
> "Hey, Hourai, you got Alice's medicine, right?"
-
>"What's Sakuya like? I think I sorta managed to get around her? And what's that librarian's deal, anyways?"
>Wait, does Hourai actually have that medicine on her?
> "She has really pretty silver hair and blue eyes, and she has lots of knives and can stop time!"
> "Patchy is always in the library writing books and stuff. Sometimes she has people over for tea like the black-white or something and then I can come up and have tea with them~"
> No, it doesn't look like Hourai has the medicine with her.
> Ah, that's understandable: sometimes we can't control our own jealousy.
> "Lookin' cute together, you two." Grin at Star and Konngara.
> Well, you can't control your jealousy all the time.
> Star grins at you. You can hardly tell that Konngara is smiling.
> "Hey, Hourai, you got Alice's medicine, right?"
> Hourai stops flying for a moment, shakes her head, and continues flying. You notice that she's trembling now.
> _
-
> Facepalm. "You little goof. Well, we're already almost there."
> To Flandre: "So, you knew the black-white?"
-
>"Wait, the black-white?"
>Wow, she did get around huh...
>Do we tell Flandre about her... No, that could cause anything. ><
-
> Facepalm. "You little goof. Well, we're already almost there."
>"Wait, the black-white?"
>Wow, she did get around huh...
>Do we tell Flandre about her... No, that could cause anything. ><
> The black-white? Well, she is one of Gensokyo's more well-known residents...
> ...There's no way you're telling Flandre what happened.
> You wonder what Hourai would do if she were able to talk or show facial expressions.
> Soon enough, you reach Alice's house. The front yard is still a wreck, but at least the broken dolls are out of the way now. There are some dolls trying to repair the garden now. The destroyed front door has been replaced by a few planks hastily nailed together.
> As Hourai makes a beeline for front door, Flandre points at the dolls in the garden. "Those ones move, too!"
> _
-
>"Yes, but the one for you will be inside there."
>Point toward the entrance.
>And.... Enter.
-
> Well, knock first.
-
>"Yes, but the one for you will be inside there."
>Point toward the entrance.
>And.... Enter.
> Well, knock first.
> "Hee~"
> You knock before heading in, since you just blasted the door open last time. When it opens, you almost think that it's doing it on its own, but then you see that a few dolls are actually operating the door.
> The four of you head into the house. There are actually some lights on this time, and lots of dolls doing housework. You see that the door you and Nazrin went through to find Alice is ajar, and there's light coming from it. A doll occassionally comes out or goes in.
> Star lets go of Konngara's hand and runs up to the dress that's on the sewing mannequin. "This is so pretty!" she gushes.
> _
-
> "Hey, Flandre, why don't ya look around down here for a bit? And don't 'kyu' anything."
> Go upstairs.
-
> "Hey, Flandre, why don't ya look around down here for a bit? And don't 'kyu' anything."
> Go upstairs.
> Flandre lets go of your hand. "I'll behave, I promise!" She runs off to take a look at some dolls that are dusting.
> You and Konngara head towards the stairs. When you pass through the workshop, you see more dolls sweeping the floor.
> There are only a few dolls on the second floor, including Shanghai. Hourai makes a beeline for her and tackle-hugs her to the ground.
> _
-
> Hmpf.
> "Hey, Hourai, you need a better dollfriend than Shanghai: she's kinda a jerk."
> Continue on up to Alice's room.
-
> Hmpf.
> "Hey, Hourai, you need a better dollfriend than Shanghai: she's kinda a jerk."
> Continue on up to Alice's room.
> Hourai shakes her head in protest.
> You and Konngara continue to Alice's room. Shanghai and Hourai beat you there; the door is ajar, so they slide in. You hear Alice's voice.
> "Oh, Hourai? Welcome back, did you get my medication?"
> Silence.
> "No?"
> _
-
> Hourai's a good dolly, so we'll save her.
> "That Lumia got loose, so Hourai wasn't able to bring it back."
-
> Hourai's a good dolly, so we'll save her.
> "That Lumia got loose, so Hourai wasn't able to bring it back."
> Hourai is definitely better than Shanghai, you think.
> Alice peeks out from behind the door. "Eh...? Is that why...?" She notices Konngara, and her eyes bug out of her head.
> _
-
>"Maybe she can get it later, the path oughta be clear now."
>"Hey, did Yuuka ever show up?"
-
> "If it weren't for little Flandre, she and Yuuka's doll might've gotten eaten or something by that thing. By the way, you owe Flandre a doll."
-
>"Maybe she can get it later, the path oughta be clear now."
>"Hey, did Yuuka ever show up?"
> "Hah..."
> Alice shakes her head as if to clear it.
> "No, she didn't."
> "If it weren't for little Flandre, she and Yuuka's doll might've gotten eaten or something by that thing. By the way, you owe Flandre a doll."
> Alice slaps her forehead. The her chains rattle, which catches Konngara's attention.
> "I've seen her once or twice when visiting Patchouli...better get to that."
> Pursued by Shanghai and Hourai, Alice hugs her grimoire to her chest and starts walking towards the stairs. Konngara watches her go, not taking her eyes off the manacles on Alice's arms.
> _
-
>"Something special about those, Konngara?"
-
>Say this quietly, so Alice can't hear.
-
>"Something special about those, Konngara?"
>Say this quietly, so Alice can't hear.
> You ask Konngara about the chains, but you're careful to be quiet, so Alice won't hear you.
> "...Those are a lot of chains. What's the story behind them?"
> _
-
>We don't know that, do we? If that's the case: "Don't know."
>If I'm wrong and we have gotten the story, tell Konngara.
-
> "When Lumia killed Marisa, Alice opened that book of hers to fight her. Yakumo appeared, Alice blacked out, woke up with those chains. Except for that gold one: Yuuka gave that to her. I think it's part of that eye-chain thing that I gave Satori."
-
Guess I was wrong
-
>We don't know that, do we? If that's the case: "Don't know."
>If I'm wrong and we have gotten the story, tell Konngara.
> "When Lumia killed Marisa, Alice opened that book of hers to fight her. Yakumo appeared, Alice blacked out, woke up with those chains. Except for that gold one: Yuuka gave that to her. I think it's part of that eye-chain thing that I gave Satori."
> You tell Konngara how Alice got all those chains.
> "...huh."
> _
-
> "Yep."
> Scratch head, walk downstairs.
-
> "Yep."
> Scratch head, walk downstairs.
> It is kind of weird...
> You and Konngara follow Alice downstairs. The fairies have sat Flandre and Star down on a couch and are now bustling around in the kitchen. Flandre nearly jumps up when she sees Alice, but stays put.
> "Ah, you must be Flandre and..."
> "Star Sapphire."
> "Yes. So, I heard I owe Miss Flandre here a doll..."
> "How do you know my name? Who are you?"
> Alice stutters. "I-I am a friend of a friend of your sister's..."
> _
-
>"You know her sister?"
-
>"You know her sister?"
> Alice glances back at you. "An acquaintance, yes."
> "Is it true that you make custom dolls?" Flandre asks. She's on the edge of her seat.
> "Yes, I do make special orders." A few dolls fetch Alice a notepad and pencil, and she kneels down in front of Flandre. "So, tell me, what kind of doll would you like?"
> Flandre grins and starts to list off what she wants in a doll. You soon learn that Alice is very fast when she write.
> _
-
> Walk outside and look around.
-
>Have a look at the flower garden. If Yuka's lollygagging about, maybe the flower garden has some clue to it.
-
> Walk outside and look around.
> You walk outside and take a look around. It's still dark as ever, thanks to Kikuri being in the sky. The clouds are practically stagnant now.
> It's very cold out here, and the first thing that runs through your mind is Cirno. Kourindou isn't that close to Alice's house...could Cirno's influence have spread?
>Have a look at the flower garden. If Yuka's lollygagging about, maybe the flower garden has some clue to it.
> The flower garden is beyond repair. The dolls are just trying to remove the dead plants at this point.
> You wonder if the flower garden would be restored if Yuuka came near it.
> _
-
> Circle around the house, just looking around.
-
>Ponder what we know of the geography between here and Yuka's Garden. Might there be something that got in here way?
-
> Circle around the house, just looking around.
> You circle around to the back. You see a lot of firewood stacked up against the wall of the house, some bags of fertilizer and other gardening supplies...
> Behind the house, the grass is well-kept, and there's even a table and some chairs. There are flowers back here, too. Some dolls are weeding the flower beds right now.
> You notice that the trees near the backyard have nails in them, and burn marks, as if something exploded on them. Creepy.
>Ponder what we know of the geography between here and Yuka's Garden. Might there be something that got in here way?
> It's just a walk straight through the Forest of Magic, or past the Human Village depending on the route you take.
> _
-
>Back to Alice and Flandre.
>Flandre's gotta be the cutest kid in the whole world :3
>Where's Yuuka's doll?
-
>Back to Alice and Flandre.
>Flandre's gotta be the cutest kid in the whole world :3
>Where's Yuuka's doll?
> You walk back in the house. Alice is walking away while reading over the notepad and muttering to herself. Flandre is swinging her legs on the couch and beaming.
> Geez, Flandre is so cute.
> Star is playing with Yuuka's doll now.
> _
-
> Sit next to Flandre. "So, what kinda dolly did you ask for?"
-
> Sit next to Flandre. "So, what kinda dolly did you ask for?"
> Flandre's smile grows wider. "Um, a doll with a burgundy dress and bonnet with cutwork lace, and, and wine brown hair and amaranth-colored eyes~"
> This kid doesn't joke around!
> _
-
> Smile and nod politely.
> Glance around the room. Anything interesting?
> Otherwise, we wait until Flandre's done, and then excuse ourself and look for Alice again to ask how long it'll take for the doll to be done. We need to know if we can wait around or if we can take Flandre back home for now.
-
> Smile and nod politely.
> Glance around the room. Anything interesting?
> Otherwise, we wait until Flandre's done, and then excuse ourself and look for Alice again to ask how long it'll take for the doll to be done. We need to know if we can wait around or if we can take Flandre back home for now.
> You smile and nod politely.
> Besides the dress on the sewing mannequin and the dolls doing housework, there's not reallly anything of note in here. Konngara is looking at those photos, though.
> You wait until Flandre has finished describing the doll she ordered, and then excuse yourself to look for Alice. She went back in the workshop where the staircase is.
> _
-
> "Hey, Alice, do you know about how long it'll take to finish that doll? I was wonderin' if I should take Flandre back to her home."
-
> "Hey, Alice, do you know about how long it'll take to finish that doll? I was wonderin' if I should take Flandre back to her home."
> Alice is sitting at her desk with a drawing pad in front of her and the notepad next to her.
> "It should take about a month to finish it." She doesn't look up.
> _
-
> "Oh, yeah, definitely taking her back home, then. Anyways, I'm going to leave Yuuka's doll downstairs. Also, Hourai can come back with me to pick up your medicine..."
-
> "Oh, yeah, definitely taking her back home, then. Anyways, I'm going to leave Yuuka's doll downstairs. Also, Hourai can come back with me to pick up your medicine..."
> "Ah." Alice flips a page on the drawing pad, distracted. "Take care of her or I'll send Shanghai after you."
> _
-
> "Will Flandre's doll be a moving one like Hourai and Shanghai?"
-
> Bah. We can just headbutt Shanghai into submission like last time.
-
> "Will Flandre's doll be a moving one like Hourai and Shanghai?"
> "It took years to get Shanghai and Hourai moving like that."
> Bah. We can just headbutt Shanghai into submission like last time.
> Even if Alice sends Shanghai after you, you can handle it.
> _
-
> "All right, then. I'll swing back later to see if Yuuka shows up, then."
> Head downstairs.
> "Hey, Flandre, Alice said that it will take a month to finish your doll, so let's go on back to your home."
-
Durn distractions, was going to point out to Alice that Flan's probably going to want to visit, and giving her some distraction dolls would keep Flan out of her hair more.
-
Go ahead and add that in, then.
-
Well, we kinda left Alice, but...
>"Hey Flan, why don't you ask Alice if you could borrow a couple of her more normal dolls in the meantime?"
-
> "All right, then. I'll swing back later to see if Yuuka shows up, then."
> Head downstairs.
> "Hey, Flandre, Alice said that it will take a month to finish your doll, so let's go on back to your home."
> Alice is too absorbed in her work to respond.
> You head downstairs and let Flandre know how long it's going to take.
> "A month?" Flandre's wings droop.
>"Hey Flan, why don't you ask Alice if you could borrow a couple of her more normal dolls in the meantime?"
> Flandre's wings flap, and the crystals on them jingle. "Ah! Okay!" She gets up from the couch and runs to the workshop.
> A few moments later, she reemerges with a few dolls wearing purple dresses. Those were from the...Kyoto fleet, right?
> Star smiles when she sees the dolls. "Ah, we have dolls like that, too."
> _
-
> "Be careful with those, Flandre."
> Make sure that Yuuka's doll stays on the sofa at Alice's, tell Hourai that we're going back to the mansion and she can pick up the medicine there, and we'll be on our way.
-
> "Be careful with those, Flandre."
> Make sure that Yuuka's doll stays on the sofa at Alice's, tell Hourai that we're going back to the mansion and she can pick up the medicine there, and we'll be on our way.
> "I will~"
> Somehow you doubt that...
> Before finding Hourai, you make sure that Yuuka's doll stays on the sofa. Then you go find Hourai herself and tell her that you're all going back to the mansion. Hourai starts to fly towards the door.
> Konngara moves away from the photos.
> _
-
>And on we go.
>Does the little critter need help with carrying her Kyoto dolls?
-
>And on we go.
>Does the little critter need help with carrying her Kyoto dolls?
> The four of you follow Hourai out of the house.
> Flandre doesn't look like she needs help carrying the Kyoto dolls. She seems happy enough, though--
> A tree nearby explodes. Flandre doesn't even notice it.
> Star gapes at the exploded tree but keeps walking. Konngara doesn't even look.
> You all pass through the Forest of Magic without incident and reach the lake and the Scarlet Devil Mansion again. You don't see Cirno among the fairies gathered out there.
> _
-
>Any faces we recognize among the fairies?
>Head to the front gate of the SDM, if we're not already there. If we are, call out "Hello?"
-
>Any faces we recognize among the fairies?
>Head to the front gate of the SDM, if we're not already there. If we are, call out "Hello?"
> You see the mint green-haired fairy.
> You head to the front gate and call out. The mint green-haired fairy notices your group.
> "Yo!"
> _
-
> "Anything change?"
> Nod to her, and continue to the library.
-
> "Anything change?"
> Nod to her, and continue to the library.
> The mint green-haired fairy tilts her head. "Um, not that I know of."
> You all continue to the library with no incident.
> When you reach the library, you see that the pajama girl is reading a different book now.
> _
-
>"We're back."
-
>"We're back."
> The girl looks up from her book. "You're back."
> Flandre runs up to her. "Patchy, look! I get to borrow these dolls while the one I ordered is being made~"
> "That's nice, run along now."
> Flandre runs off, giggling.
> The girl returns to her book. "I assume all went well?"
> _
-
"Pretty much. Hourai never got the medicine, though, so she came back to get it."
-
> While Hourai runs off to get the medicine: "So, Koa didn't know anything, but you know that there's a weird funnel over the mansion, right? Can only be seen by something that can see auras."
-
"Pretty much. Hourai never got the medicine, though, so she came back to get it."
> "That's right, Alice hasn't taken her medication in quite some time..."
> The girl flips a page. Star wanders off to the bookshelves again.
> While Hourai runs off to get the medicine: "So, Koa didn't know anything, but you know that there's a weird funnel over the mansion, right? Can only be seen by something that can see auras."
> Hourai flies back out of the library.
> "Ohh? And what would that be?" She looks up from her book.
> _
-
> "Dunno, that's why I'm asking you. Weird black funnel, sucking up black auras, purple wisps, little red motes from that clocktower..."
> Sit down in one of the chairs. Man, something to drink would be nice.
-
> "Dunno, that's why I'm asking you. Weird black funnel, sucking up black auras, purple wisps, little red motes from that clocktower..."
> Sit down in one of the chairs. Man, something to drink would be nice.
> You take a seat in a chair near the girl's desk.
> "Auras, the essences of objects and living beings, sensing magical properties from ordinary objects being a low-level form of animism, the concept of souls and spirits found in every object; proof of this being tsukumogami. Being able to see the likes of that is extremely high-level magic. Items can be created for that use, but they're difficult to make and even more difficult to find, to put it lightly." She's talking faster now; she sounds really eager. "People born with, per se, extremely powerful magic capabilities are able to pull it off without the use of a magical artifact. That in and of itself is a completely different story, however. Do you perhaps know anyone like that, or is it an item?"
> Man, you're thirsty. Maybe this place has some tea around?
> _
-
> "Er, no, don't know anybody like that. Got a magic stone from Kourin, though, that lets me see them."
> If she tries to ask for it, interrupt: "You can't have it."
-
> "Er, no, don't know anybody like that. Got a magic stone from Kourin, though, that lets me see them."
> If she tries to ask for it, interrupt: "You can't have it."
> "That's a shame." The girl slides a piece of paper inbetween the pages of her book and sets it on the desk. "So, Kourindou...I wouldn't expect the shopkeeper there to be aware of an item like that; he focuses primarily on Outside World paraphanalia. I'd like to borrow that stone--"
> Denied.
> The girl narrows her eyes. "I may never come across something like this again, at least let me have a look at it."
> Her voice really is fast.
> _
-
> Frown, but pull it out and hand it to her. "You can't keep it: that thing's too valuable to me, and saved my butt a buncha times."
-
> Frown, but pull it out and hand it to her. "You can't keep it: that thing's too valuable to me, and saved my butt a buncha times."
> The girl takes the stone from you and examines it. "It doesn't seem to have any markings on it that suggest that someone made it...I wonder why? It looks like something made by the likes of the Youkai Sages, but they sign everything." She takes a look through it, and her eyes widen.
> "So this is what it's like." She stands up to get a better view. She looks in every possible direction, and then at you and Konngara through the stone. She notices Star and checks her, too.
> "Fascinating," she breathes. "This is definitely a spiritual magic artifact."
> _
-
> "Yeah, and it's helped me lots of times, like when a crazy rabbit tried to eat my eyes. But I spotted that weird funnel with that. Want to go up and take a look?"
-
> Show her a few of those other 11 stones, too.
> "What about these? They look pretty similar, but they don't do anything."
Edit: Wait, do the other stones look similar to the seeing stone?
-
> "Yeah, and it's helped me lots of times, like when a crazy rabbit tried to eat my eyes. But I spotted that weird funnel with that. Want to go up and take a look?"
> The girl looks at you, but doesn't take the stone from her eye. "A rabbit."
> She picks up her book and floats towards the door.
> Show her a few of those other 11 stones, too.
> "What about these? They look pretty similar, but they don't do anything."
> Before she starts to fly off, you show her the other stones.
> The girl looks at them through the stone.
> "Idon'tseeanythingalthoughitmakesmewonder..." she mutters.
> _
-
> Follow her.
-
> Follow her.
> You follow the girl out of the library and into the destroyed room.
> She doesn't stop once, but she slows down and reaches out, shivering every now and then.
> She flies out onto the rubble and surveys her surroundings. She stares up at the sky, trying not to quiver.
> "...There'saspeckoflightinthemoon," she notes.
> _
-
>Did we notice that beforehand?
-
>Did we notice that beforehand?
> You think you noticed it at some point in the Bamboo Forest. What color was it again...?
> _
-
>"Oi, talk a bit slower. I can hardly get you now"
-
>"Oi, talk a bit slower. I can hardly get you now"
> The girl frowns at you. "There's a speck of light in the moon."
> _
-
> Frown. "Bronze colored?"
-
> Frown. "Bronze colored?"
> "I can't tell...perhaps it is."
> _
-
>"So, can you determine what any of these things actually are?"
-
>"So, can you determine what any of these things actually are?"
> "Remnants from the battle, it looks like....spells cast..." She gestures to the clock tower. "Perhaps people leave a bit of themselves behind wherever they go."
> Aw, that's kind of--
> "What an interesting concept it is...how many ways can mana seperate from the body?"
> _
-
> Flat look at her. "You know, that sounded cute and romantic 'till you went and ruined it. So what's the funnel, then?"
-
> Flat look at her. "You know, that sounded cute and romantic 'till you went and ruined it. So what's the funnel, then?"
> The girl blushes. "Be quiet. The funnel must be from when Lumia came crashing into the library. Like water splashing up and never coming down. Like jumping into a river, if one were so inclined."
> _
-
> "Huh... I don't get it."
> "Another thing: there's fairy ghosts."
-
> "Huh... I don't get it."
> "Another thing: there's fairy ghosts."
> "It's not that easy for you to grasp, is it?"
> The girl keeps the stone in front of her eye and looks back towards the destroyed room. "...I saw them. I recognized the ones who used to clean my library. They were terrible at it, and it just gave Koa more work to do..."
> _
-
>Bitch
>"So got any plans for now then?"
-
>Bitch
>"So got any plans for now then?"
> Hard to believe she was able to spout such a cute line and then...
> She doesn't say anything else, and shoves the stone back in your hands.
> _
-
> Jeez. Just one last question before collecting Hourai and the others.
> "Do you know how fairies can even become ghosts?"
-
> Jeez. Just one last question before collecting Hourai and the others.
> "Do you know how fairies can even become ghosts?"
> Geez.
> "Fairies are in and of themselves souls...it's a difficult concept to explain, but in that state they are detached from the physical realm."
> _
-
> "Ah, yeah, that's... right."
> Go back to the library.
-
>Wait, Kikuri drains mana.
>"Would faries become ghosts if their mana was drained?"
-
> "Ah, yeah, that's... right."
> Go back to the library.
> Fairies are those kinds of beings, aren't they.
> You and the girl head back to the library.
>Wait, Kikuri drains mana.
>"Would faries become ghosts if their mana was drained?"
> As you're walking back, you ask the girl what would happen if their mana was drained. Kikuri drains mana.
> "...Mana and souls are different things. As close as those two concepts come together for fairies, even then they are still seperate, I imagine."
> She pushes the door open, and the two of you walk back into the library. Konngara is standing in front of one of the bookshelves, flipping through a book. Star is actually sitting on top of a bookshelf a little ways away.
> _
-
> "Hm, Hourai hasn't gotten her medicine yet...?"
> Look to see where that darkness is.
-
> "Hm, Hourai hasn't gotten her medicine yet...?"
> Look to see where that darkness is.
> The girl returns to her arm chair and picks up a book. "I'm sure that doll is capable enough."
> The darkness is still towards the back, but it's almost at the ceiling now.
> _
-
> Sit down as well.
> "Hey, you wouldn't happen to have any tea, wouldya?"
-
> Sit down as well.
> "Hey, you wouldn't happen to have any tea, wouldya?"
> You take a seat.
> When you ask about tea, the girl picks up the megaphone.
> "Koa, tea--" She starts coughing violently. Konngara glances over briefly and watches as she picks up the L-shaped contraption and brings it to her mouth. She presses down on it for a few moments, then speaks back into the megaphone shakily. "Koa, bring tea."
> You hear something clatter to the ground near the door.
> _
-
> Glance over our shoulder at the door.
-
> Glance over our shoulder at the door.
> You glance over your shoulder to see who it is.
> It's...it's Hourai? She's carrying a small paper bag and has a flower in her hair, for some reason.
> _
-
> "Hey Hourai, looking cute with that flower. Where'd you even get that? It's freakin' cold."
> Sit Hourai in our lap.
-
> "Hey Hourai, looking cute with that flower. Where'd you even get that? It's freakin' cold."
> Sit Hourai in our lap.
> Hourai waves at you and pats the flower in her hair.
> You sit her in your lap. The paper bag she's holding has Alice's last name on it. It must be her medicine.
> Hourai makes a heart shape with her fingers, then gestures to the flower in her hair again.
> _
-
> "Heart... flower...?"
> What does that even mean?
-
> "Heart... flower...?"
> What does that even mean?
> Hourai shakes her head and points to Alice's name on the bag, then repeats the heart, then pats the flower again.
> _
-
> "Alice... heart... flower..."
> Wide eyes. "You saw Yuuka?! Where?"
-
> "Alice... heart... flower..."
> Wide eyes. "You saw Yuuka?! Where?"
> ....Wha--!
> The girl briefly glances up from her book.
> Hourai nods earnestly. She folds her arms in thought.
> She grabs the medicine bag and headbutts it.
> _
-
>Doll language... Can not speak it. ><
>Wait...
>"I need some paper."
-
>Doll language... Can not speak it. ><
>Wait...
>"I need some paper."
> You don't speak doll...
> ...So you ask the girl for some paper. She mutters something, and a piece of it comes to you, followed by a quill pen.
> While this is happening, Koa comes riding in on a tea cart.
> "Lady Patchy, I got the tea!"
> "Koa," she says simply. "How many times have I told you not to ride on the tea cart? Or any cart, for that matter?"
> "...Fine." Koa jumps off the tea cart.
> _
-
> Hand the ink pen and paper to Hourai. Position ourselves so Hourai can write on the table easily.
> Girls are drinking tea, please wait warmly.
-
>"While she's explaining, what's the deal with the Lumia character, anyways?"
-
> Hand the ink pen and paper to Hourai. Position ourselves so Hourai can write on the table easily.
> Girls are drinking tea, please wait warmly.
> You hand Hourai the ink pen and paper. She immediately starts writing in her usual messy scrawl.
> You drink some of the tea that Koa brought. Wow, who knew they kept jasmine here?
>"While she's explaining, what's the deal with the Lumia character, anyways?"
> You as the girl what Lumia's deal is, anyway.
> "When we first discovered her--the black-white and I--she was just another weak shadow youkai, but the ribbon charm she had on her head had me convinced otherwise," the girl explains. Koa hands her a cup of tea, and she pauses to take a sip. "I suppose that made Marisa--the black-white--all the more interested in her. With that ribbon on, Lumia was just a gluttonous, harmless, and somewhat dim-witted youkai child who pronounced her own name wrong. Without it...she's still gluttonous, but in all the wrong ways, extremely dangerous, and sharp. She's one of the more powerful of her kind, and that charm looked very old, so she must have been sealed away long ago."
> Hourai has written "hUman VillagE" on the paper.
> _
-
>"So why do you keep her here, anyways?"
>Read paper.
>"Ah crap..."
-
Fffffff
> Frown. Hold on. "Hourai, how did you get to the Human Village so fast?"
-
>"So why do you keep her here, anyways?"
>Read paper.
>"Ah crap..."
> "Because she won't leave. Sugar." The last word throws you off, but then you see Koa handing Patchy a sugar bowl.
> You check Hourai's paper.
> Aw, man...
> Frown. Hold on. "Hourai, how did you get to the Human Village so fast?"
> More scribbling.
> 'hitCh-HikEd on a kappa'
> _
-
> Down tea, and stand up while holding Hourai.
> "All right, I'm gonna kip down to say bye to Flandre, and then we need to get out of here and figure out what the hell Yuuka's doing at the Human Village."
-
>"Was she still there when you left, Hourai?"
-
> Down tea, and stand up while holding Hourai.
> "All right, I'm gonna kip down to say bye to Flandre, and then we need to get out of here and figure out what the hell Yuuka's doing at the Human Village."
> You down your tea and grab Hourai before she has the chance to write anything else.
> "Oh?" Patchy raises an eyebrow. "Really? Seconds, please." Koa refills Patchy's tea cup.
> Konngara puts the book she's reading back on the shelf. "Who's Yuuka?"
>"Was she still there when you left, Hourai?"
> Hourai nods.
> _
-
>"Flower Youkai. Real powerful. Alice's wife. Gonna help out the black white."
-
> "Be right back."
> Head down to where Flandre is.
-
>"Flower Youkai. Real powerful. Alice's wife. Gonna help out the black white."
> "Huh. That green haired woman in one of the photos back at her place?"
> "Be right back."
> Head down to where Flandre is.
> You quickly head down to where Flandre is. When you reach her room, she's laying on the bed again, tossing one of the Kyoto dolls up in the air playfully.
> "Are you here to play~?" she asks hopefully when you walk in.
> _
-
> "No, I'm just here to say goodbye. But I promise I'll see you again."
> Ruffle her hair.
-
> "No, I'm just here to say goodbye. But I promise I'll see you again."
> Ruffle her hair.
> Flandre giggles when you ruffle her hair.
> "It's a promise? Pinky swear!" She holds out her hand.
> _
-
> Such a cute kid. Especially since we don't have to deal with her temper tantrums and explosions.
> Smile and pinky swear.
-
>Dagnabbit, we like having hands...
>"Yeah, I guess. But it might be a while."
>Engage in the rite of binding.
-
>Engage in the rite of binding.
[oWoD W:tA mode]But we can't bind living creatures![/oWoD W:tA mode]
-
> Such a cute kid. Especially since we don't have to deal with her temper tantrums and explosions.
> Smile and pinky swear.
>Dagnabbit, we like having hands...
>"Yeah, I guess. But it might be a while."
>Engage in the rite of binding.
> She's so cute, but you'd hate to have to deal with her throwing a temper tantrum, considering she can make things explode so effortlessly...
> You engage in the rite of binding via pinky swear, and thankfully keep both of your hands.
> "Yaay! I'll look forward to it~!"
> _
-
> Smile and wave goodbye.
> Hustle back to the library. "It's been fun and we've had a great time, but we gotta go! What's your plan, Konngara?"
-
> Smile and wave goodbye.
> Hustle back to the library. "It's been fun and we've had a great time, but we gotta go! What's your plan, Konngara?"
> Flandre waves and smiles back as you leave.
> When you head back into the library, you see that Star is seated near Patchy's desk; Koa has served her tea as well.
> "While you go meet Alice's wife...I was thinking I should try flying up to Kikuri to see if she'll shoot."
> _
-
>"Well, be real careful...Um, if you get shot down, I'll try to find you, but no promises. Make a nice big crater so you're easy to find."
-
> "And don't die, 'cause that'll just make Yuugi punch you in the face. Take care!"
> Head to the outside. Hm... should we let Hourai go to Alice's on her own...?
-
>"Well, be real careful...Um, if you get shot down, I'll try to find you, but no promises. Make a nice big crater so you're easy to find."
> "If I go down, I'll make a huge explosion so I'm easy to find," Konngara says. She doesn't sound like she's joking at all.
> "And don't die, 'cause that'll just make Yuugi punch you in the face. Take care!"
> Head to the outside. Hm... should we let Hourai go to Alice's on her own...?
> "Hey, I'm not a Deva for nothing. See ya." Konngara waves and runs out of the library.
> You head outside, wondering if you should let Hourai go to Alice's on her own.
> Man, Konngara's fast; she's already reached the Forest of Magic.
> You notice that the fairies are gathered around someone near the gate.
> _
-
> Look down at Hourai. "Who d'ya think that is?"
> Walk over to see what the commotion is.
-
> Look down at Hourai. "Who d'ya think that is?"
> Walk over to see what the commotion is.
> Hourai tilts her head from side to side. Her way of shrugging?
> You head over to see what all the fuss is about. It's...it's Nitori? She's sitting cross-legged on the ground, rumaging through a green backpack that's sitting on her lap. There are a few nuts and bolts on the ground; lots of knick-knacks, as well as a green cap. Wasn't that the backpack Yuuka was sleeping on?
> Oh, Cirno is here, too. She's crouched on the ground near Nitori, examining a wire spring.
> Nitori suddenly has a bright smile on her face. "It's still here!"
> _
-
> Walk up with eyebrows raised. "Wow, you're brave, gankin' that from Yuuka."
> To Cirno: "Hey, did you tell Ran where I went? I had to leave before she got there."
-
> Walk up with eyebrows raised. "Wow, you're brave, gankin' that from Yuuka."
> To Cirno: "Hey, did you tell Ran where I went? I had to leave before she got there."
> Nitori grins at you. "I've got optical camoflauge, and it was mine in the first place." She starts to pull a gold chain from her bag.
> Cirno looks up. "I did! That kitsune had the softest fur ever; everyone here is jealous of me because I got to pet her!"
> _
-
> "Nitori! What's that chain?!"
> Teleport next to Nitori.
-
>"And I won't tell Yuuka, but damn, keep out her way for the next few decades!"
-
> "Nitori! What's that chain?!"
> Teleport next to Nitori.
> You suddenly appear next to Nitori! She squawks in surprise.
> "Uwah! It's something I found at the bottom of the river one day," she says. She finishes pulling up the chain. It's...it looks like two chains connected, each with one of those eye-shaped orbs at the end of them. When they see you, they start to squirm around.
>"And I won't tell Yuuka, but damn, keep out her way for the next few decades!"
> "She'll never catch me!" Nitori insists. As she says this, she swings the chains around and accidentally smacks Cirno in the face with them. "Oops."
> _
-
>"I'm kinda collecting those...Mind if I take it off your hands?"
-
>"I'm kinda collecting those...Mind if I take it off your hands?"
> "Eh?" Nitori raises an eyebrow, confused. "O-okay."
> Obtained: x2 eye orbs, x2 chains
> The chains and orbs let out a current, and soon everyone who is a fairy is clutching their wings in pain. Nitori has covered her head with her arms. Cirno's wings are coursing with electricity. She has a shocked expression on her face.
> Nitori looks up tentatively. "W-what was that?"
> _
-
>"Hey! Cut that shit out or I'm burying you!"
-
>"Hey! Cut that shit out or I'm burying you!"
> The eyes start shivering in fear.
> Cirno flaps her wings to get the sparks out. "Whooaa, I thought I saw the light on the other side, but then I realized I was just getting shocked."
> _
-
>Did it cut that shit out?
>If so, pat it atop the an eye; hopefully not on the cornea itself, and says "That's a good shock chain."
-
> Good, we didn't need to headbutt the chain.
> ... Has Keine been rubbing off on us?
-
>Did it cut that shit out?
>If so, pat it atop the an eye; hopefully not on the cornea itself, and says "That's a good shock chain."
> It stopped shocking people, so you pat it. You're careful to avoid the cornea.
> It seems to calm down a bit.
> Good, we didn't need to headbutt the chain.
> ... Has Keine been rubbing off on us?
> Headbutting it would have been painful, and kind of difficult.
> ...Maybe Keine is contagious.
> _
-
> Put the chain away. Look down at Hourai.
> "You all right there, Hourai?"
-
>Check everyone else, too.
-
> Put the chain away. Look down at Hourai.
> "You all right there, Hourai?"
> You put the chain back and ask Hourai if she's okay.
> She nods, although she looks a bit stunned. She's clinging onto the medicine bag as tight as her little doll arms can allow her.
>Check everyone else, too.
> Everyone else looks okay.
> Nitori starts to pick up the knick-knacks off the ground, wincing a bit every time she touches one. She's probably getting shocked by them.
> _
-
> "So, what're you doing here, Nitori?"
-
> "So, what're you doing here, Nitori?"
> "Ah, long story...I wanted to get some air, but then I ran into that doll you're holding." She gestures to Hourai. "She kept pulling me towards the Human Village...in the end, I let her hitchhike on me. I didn't want to go in the village, but then there was this white-haired girl who took the doll in for me...while I was waiting, I saw the scary Yuuka with my backpack meandering through. Haha, then the white-haired girl came back and started talking to her, so I grabbed the doll and ran. She directed me here." Nitori fidgets a little. "Gyah, I took this opportunity to make sure all my stuff was in tact, but that shopkeeper's probably wondering what happened to me..."
> _
-
> Poke Hourai in the side. "Hey now, Hourai, didn't Alice teach you not to pick up strangers?"
> "Well, you should probably lay low, maybe hide in the mountains or something. Especially since we'll be talking to Yuuka."
> Wave bye, and head to Alice's.
-
> Poke Hourai in the side. "Hey now, Hourai, didn't Alice teach you not to pick up strangers?"
> "Well, you should probably lay low, maybe hide in the mountains or something. Especially since we'll be talking to Yuuka."
> Wave bye, and head to Alice's.
> Hourai squirms and clings to your sleeve.
> Nitori snaps her backpack shut and puts it on. She then puts the green cap on her head, and you think this makes her look more confident somehow.
> "Yeah, I'm heading back to Youkai Mountain. If something goes wrong I can get Hina to help me." She stands up and stretches her arms. "I'll be going on ahead, then."
> You wave goodbye to Nitori. She waves back, and runs off. When she nears the trees, you suddenly can't see her anymore.
> You and Hourai head on to Alice's house. It's an uneventful walk. When you reach the house itself, you notice that there are a few flowers sprouting in the garden.
> _
-
> Knock knock knockin' on Alice's door.
> Enter and find Alice. Let Hourai go so she can play with her dollfriend.
-
> Knock knock knockin' on Alice's door.
> Enter and find Alice. Let Hourai go so she can play with her dollfriend.
> When you knock on Alice's door, a few dolls open it for you.
> Inside the house, all of the dolls are in the kitchen preparing tea and snacks for some reason.
> You let Hourai go, and she immediately flies towards the workshop door with the medicine. You follow her in there.
> Alice has opened a hole in the wall, where there is a kiln. She's distributing doll parts when you walk in. Hourai deposits the medicine on the workshop table, then flies off, presumably to find Shanghai. When Alice sees the bag of medicine, she hurriedly deposits the rest of the doll parts, sets the kiln, and rushes over to the bag.
> "Th-th-thank you, Houraaaiii," she says in a weak voice as she tears open the bag.
> _
-
> Watch in curiousity.
> "So, your wife's been spotted in the Human Village. Any idea what she's doing?"
-
> Watch in curiousity.
> "So, your wife's been spotted in the Human Village. Any idea what she's doing?"
> She's taking out bottles of...well, you can't tell what's inside them, but you hear rattling, so you assume they're pills.
> Alice's face turns red. "Well, um...she detours there s-sometimes. There were flowers sprouting in the garden, right? She mustn't be too far off."
> _
-
>"That's a point. Maybe she's getting you a present or something?
>"Hey, mind if I ask how you two kids got mixed up to begin with?"
-
Hourai deserves a separate RPG text game of her own.
-
>"That's a point. Maybe she's getting you a present or something?
>"Hey, mind if I ask how you two kids got mixed up to begin with?"
> "That would be nice."
> You ask Alice how she and Yuuka met each other.
> Alice sits down at her table and rumages around in one of the drawers. "We both went to the Human Village a lot. I put on a lot of puppet shows, and she visited the florist. One day I put on a puppet show at the florist's place, and, well..." She takes out a pair of doll eyes and starts to polish them. "I hear people say how she's a scary, unapproachable, reclusive loner, but if you know her, she's actually very polite and sweet. Since we were the only two youkai in the village, we ended up hanging around with each other every time we saw each other in the village. It just continued on from there naturally, not much to it. We've had our fair share of conflicts and awkwardness, though." Alice lets out a small sigh. At this point, she has polished dozens of pairs of doll eyes. All different colors of the rainbow, scattered on the table like marbles. You see the design for Flandre's doll tacked up on the wall.
> _
-
>"Oh, everybody does."
-
>"Oh, everybody does."
> "That's a shame, even if she can be...Ouch!" Alice hisses in pain. The gold chain on her wrist lets off sparks. "What is this?"
> _
-
> "Can you give me that bracelet? It's probably reacting to me."
-
> "Can you give me that bracelet? It's probably reacting to me."
> Alice sighs and hands over the bracelet.
> Obtained: x1 gold chain
> The gold bracelet attaches itself to the end of the other two chains you got from Nitori.
> _
-
>"Thanks, Alice. And I meant everyone's got their awkward times and such."
>"Hey, what's the deal with that medicine, anyways? You seem to be okay."
-
>"Thanks, Alice. And I meant everyone's got their awkward times and such."
>"Hey, what's the deal with that medicine, anyways? You seem to be okay."
> "Oh. I-I misinterpreted. E-everyone does, in any situation..."
> When you ask about the medicine, Alice's face falls a bit. "Butterfly Dream Pills. I can't really s-sleep without it. I used to use it to avoid nightmares, but...then I really d-did start having problems with nightmares and insomnia, so this is more therapeutic than the usual candy-like pills..."
> _
-
>"Oh! Those things! I didn't think of that."
-
>"Oh! Those things! I didn't think of that."
> "Hm?" Alice looks curious. "Wh-why? Did something happen?"
> _
-
> "Nothing to worry about. I met the person who makes those pills a couple'a days ago. You do seem a bit skittish 'n all, but I didn't connect it to not sleeping."
> "Anyways, I gotta go: gonna swing by the Human Village to see if Yuuka's on her way yet. You already paid me, so I gotta see it through after all."
-
> "Nothing to worry about. I met the person who makes those pills a couple'a days ago. You do seem a bit skittish 'n all, but I didn't connect it to not sleeping."
> "Anyways, I gotta go: gonna swing by the Human Village to see if Yuuka's on her way yet. You already paid me, so I gotta see it through after all."
> "You met Miss Y-yagokoro?"
> She does seem skittish...from a lack of sleep?
> "Ah, th-thank you for bringing Hourai back here, then..."
> _
-
>"Yeah, you're welcome. Thanks for offering to make Flandre a doll. Made her day."
-
> Wave bye, and head out.
> If we see Hourai on our way out, say bye and rub her head. If we see Shanghai on our way out, hmpf at her and march past with our nose up. If we see both of them together, tell Hourai: "You keep Shanghai in check, Hourai: your dollfriend really needs to learn a better 'tude from ya!"
> Head to Kourin's. Wonder where Ran might be.
-
>Weren't we gonna swing toward the hyuman village and make sure Yuuka's not getting into a fistfight with a granary?
-
>"Yeah, you're welcome. Thanks for offering to make Flandre a doll. Made her day."
> "Doll-making is certainly..." Alice smiles a bit and trails off.
> Wave bye, and head out.
> If we see Hourai on our way out, say bye and rub her head. If we see Shanghai on our way out, hmpf at her and march past with our nose up. If we see both of them together, tell Hourai: "You keep Shanghai in check, Hourai: your dollfriend really needs to learn a better 'tude from ya!"
> Head to Kourin's. Wonder where Ran might be.
> You wave goodbye to Alice and head out.
> On your way out, you see Hourai loafing around near Yuuka's doll, so you say bye to her and rub her head. You wonder if she would be smiling if she could make facial expressions.
>Weren't we gonna swing toward the hyuman village and make sure Yuuka's not getting into a fistfight with a granary?
> You start towards Kourindou when you realize: weren't you going to the Human Village to find Yuuka?
> _
-
> Do we remember how to get to the Human Village or to Kourindou from Alice's house?
-
> Do we remember how to get to the Human Village or to Kourindou from Alice's house?
> You think you remember how to get to Kourindou, but not the Human Village. You remember how to get from Kourindou to the Human Village, though.
> _
-
> Let's go to Kourin's, then. Maybe Ran's still there: she wanted to see the Yuuka thing through to the end.
-
> Let's go to Kourin's, then. Maybe Ran's still there: she wanted to see the Yuuka thing through to the end.
> You head to Kourin's. You don't immediately see Ran, but you do see Tokiko sitting outside, stuffing a beetle into her mouth.
> _
-
>"Lo 'Kiko. Ran around anywhere?"
-
>"Lo 'Kiko. Ran around anywhere?"
> Tokiko waves at you. "'Ran'? Um...the big fox? Kourin said that big fox was named Ran...She's behind the store."
> _
-
> "Thanks. Enjoy your lunch."
> What time IS it...?
> Circle around the store.
-
> "Thanks. Enjoy your lunch."
> What time IS it...?
> Circle around the store.
> Tokiko nods and pokes a beetle leg into her mouth.
> You're not sure what time it is. Early evening, you suppose?
> You circle around the store. Just as Tokiko said, you see Ran curled up behind the store. You see Chen laying around in her tails.
> Ran's ears flicker. 'Hello, there.'
> _
-
>"Hi, Ran! Found that doll; turns out that mansion by the lake? One with the library? Yeah, it was there. Some little girl named Flandre who blows up things had it. But I got it sorted, Alice has the doll now. Yuuka's apparently in the town now, hopefully she didn't get in a fight with a school or something. But this is almost sorted."
-
>"Hi, Ran! Found that doll; turns out that mansion by the lake? One with the library? Yeah, it was there. Some little girl named Flandre who blows up things had it. But I got it sorted, Alice has the doll now. Yuuka's apparently in the town now, hopefully she didn't get in a fight with a school or something. But this is almost sorted."
> 'Oh, my, it was with the sister of the Scarlet Devil? She didn't throw a tantrum, did she?' Ran sits up, which causes Chen to meow and dart around to the front of the shop. 'Well, as long as the puppeteer has the doll. I'm glad this will be resolved quickly.'
> _
-
>"Yeah, I figured it would be good to get things sorted for your other charge, since it was important for you and stuff. Wanna come with?"
-
>"Yeah, I figured it would be good to get things sorted for your other charge, since it was important for you and stuff. Wanna come with?"
> 'Thank you for that.' Ran stands up and shakes out her tails.
> _
-
>Mount Ran
>Oh, this is gonna be fun.
-
>Awww, we got thanked by Ran~ Too bad a most people are too much jerks to do it. >=|
>"It's nothing, don't worry~"
>Head toward the village, Continue to train in gaining Kitsune Rider levels.
-
>Mount Ran
>Oh, this is gonna be fun.
> You climb on Ran. This is gonna be so awesome.
>Awww, we got thanked by Ran~ Too bad a most people are too much jerks to do it. >=|
>"It's nothing, don't worry~"
>Head toward the village, Continue to train in gaining Kitsune Rider levels.
> You don't get thanked enough, you think.
> You and Ran start off towards the village. RANK UP!
> When you reach the outskirts of the village, you see lots of scorch marks on the ground, smoke rising up from them, and two figures in the distance, well away from the village...Yuuka and Mokou.
> _
-
> "Oh no."
-
>"For fuck's sake"
>Shout: "Hey! Cut it out!"
-
> "Oh no."
>"For fuck's sake"
>Shout: "Hey! Cut it out!"
> You indulge in some well-justified profanity and shout out to Yuuka and Mokou.
> Mokou is laying on her back, reclining with one arm behind her head and the other draped over her stomach. She lifts an arm to wave at you apologetically, and you see that her clothes--especially her shirt--are bloodied. Yuuka looks similarly ruffled. The smile on her face looks particularly disconcerting.
> It looks like they just tried to kill each other, and they've only just stopped.
> _
-
> Dismount and run to Mokou. She's just a human, albeit a weird fire breathing one: hopefully it's not fatal!
-
> Dismount and run to Mokou. She's just a human, albeit a weird fire breathing one: hopefully it's not fatal!
> You jump off Ran and run to Mokou. If something were to happen to her...
> When Mokou sees you coming, she drops her arm back over her torso and sits up.
> "Yo. She was almost as tough as that oni." Mokou gestures to Yuuka, who smiles and waves. "I don't regret it, though."
> _
-
>"What in the name of fuck are you two doing! We need to get you to a doctor, Mokou!"
-
>"What in the name of fuck are you two doing! We need to get you to a doctor, Mokou!"
> "We were playing a game," Yuuka gushes. "I almost can't remember the last time I was so excited."
> Mokou winces a little as she shifts to a more upright position. "What? No, I'm fine. There's nothing wrong."
> She seems to be missing the fact that her front is covered in blood.
> _
-
>Point at the blood.
>"That is not fine! Oh crap, she got you in the head too, didn't she!?"
-
> "Humans can't recover from that kinda stuff!"
> Can we lift her? Probably not a good idea to let her walk...
-
>Point at the blood.
>"That is not fine! Oh crap, she got you in the head too, didn't she!?"
> "Hm...I wonder...did you?" Mokou looks over at Yuuka, who shrugs.
> "Humans can't recover from that kinda stuff!"
> Can we lift her? Probably not a good idea to let her walk...
> "It's okay, it's nothing too serious."
> She's taller than you, but you wonder if you could lift her. There's no way you're letting her walk with those injuries.
> Ran practically glides over to the three of you. 'It was wise of you two to fight outside the village, at least,' she says in a disapproving tone.
> "No shit, we would've been given hell."
> _
-
>"Ran, hate to ask this, but can you help me get her to Eirin? I swear I'll help you wash the blood out later!"
-
>"Ran, hate to ask this, but can you help me get her to Eirin? I swear I'll help you wash the blood out later!"
> "What?" Mokou looks alarmed and coughs up a bit of blood. "No, it hurts, it hurts, but I..." A look of realization dawns on her face. "That's right, you don't know..."
> _
-
>"What?"
-
>"What?"
> Mokou sighs, and speaks in a somewhat hesitant tone. "Y'see, I can't die."
> Yuuka's grin is so wide, she looks like she's trying not to laugh.
> _
-
>"Yes, you can't. That's why we're going to the doctor"
>What is she thinking?
-
Okay, Smok, that's a great line. Let's stick with that. :D
-
>"Yes, you can't. That's why we're going to the doctor"
>What is she thinking?
> Maybe Yuuka really did hit her in the head.
> Mokou shakes her head. "Parsee, I'm saying that I'm physically unable to die. I'm immortal."
> _
-
> "That's... no, wait..."
> That makes no sense!
-
> "That's... no, wait..."
> That makes no sense!
> But...Mokou's a human. That's not possible!
> Yuuka points her umbrella at Mokou's back. "Shall we test that theory?"
> Ran growls at her. 'Don't you dare.'
> _
-
> Position ourself in between Mokou and Yuuka.
> "Just cut it out already! Yuuka, your doll's with your wife, and I beat Tenshi over the head with a chair! Now will you go help Alice?"
-
>"And Mokou, I don't know what the hell you're talking about, but get to a doctor already!"
-
> Wait, she's injured, she shouldn't move.
> "I mean just wait there!"
-
> Position ourself in between Mokou and Yuuka.
> "Just cut it out already! Yuuka, your doll's with your wife, and I beat Tenshi over the head with a chair! Now will you go help Alice?"
> "Okay, okay, no need to be in such a rush about it~" Yuuka giggles, opens her parasol, and starts to stroll towards the Forest of Magic.
>"And Mokou, I don't know what the hell you're talking about, but get to a doctor already!"
> Yuuka can go take a hike; Mokou needs a doctor.
> Wait, she's injured, she shouldn't move.
> "I mean just wait there!"
> Well, she should probably wait instead of just getting up...
> "No, I..." Mokou sighs and points a finger to her chest.
> Wait, what is she--
> There's more blood on the grass now.
> After a few seconds, Mokou stands right back up.
> Ran isn't saying anything.
> _
-
> "..."
> Stare blankly.
-
>Try to keep our last meal where it belongs.
-
> "..."
> Stare blankly.
> You....she...
>Try to keep our last meal where it belongs.
> You don't want to remember what you ate last...oh, God...
> "Do you believe me now?" Mokou asks. "But now you know I won't be going anywhere, at least."
> _
-
> "Y-yeah, that's... uh..."
> We... really need to sit down. And stop hyperventilating.
-
>Have a seat on the grass. Don't look at Mokou, goddamn.
>Try to keep all that business under control...
-
> "Y-yeah, that's... uh..."
> We... really need to sit down. And stop hyperventilating.
> That's not really the point.
> You sit down and try to stop hyperventilating.
>Have a seat on the grass. Don't look at Mokou, goddamn.
>Try to keep all that business under control...
> You try to focus on the grass beneath you and not on Mokou.
> You just saw your friend blast herself in the chest, it's kind of hard...
> Mokou kneels down in arm's length of you, probably to give you space. "You okay?"
> _
-
> "Y-you just k-k-kill... of course I'm not okay!"
> Try to calm down.
-
> "Y-you just k-k-kill... of course I'm not okay!"
> Try to calm down.
> You stutter for a bit before spitting out a reply.
> "Sorry, most don't believe me until I, well..."
> Deep breaths, deep breaths....
> _
-
> That's a good point.
> We're probably calm by now. Look Mokou over. Does she seem wounded?
-
>"I was worried about you, you know!"
-
> That's a good point.
> We're probably calm by now. Look Mokou over. Does she seem wounded?
> Mokou has a good point.
> You look her over. The wound on her chest has closed; it has left behind a mark that's fast disappearing, but she's still covered with blood.
>"I was worried about you, you know!"
> Mokou smiles, but it's not a shark tooth grin.
> "You're not the first person who's told me that."
> _
-
> Sigh. "You're such a goof..."
> "Well, now that you scared me half to death, what the hell was that all about?"
-
> Sigh. "You're such a goof..."
> "Well, now that you scared me half to death, what the hell was that all about?"
> Mokou grins and ruffles your hair. "Heh."
> You hear Ran sigh in relief.
> You ask her what was going on with her and Yuuka in the first place.
> "Well, I haven't seen her come into the village in months, so I got curious and decided to strike up a conversation with her. And, well, you know how that ended. She said she was bored or something."
> _
-
>"She was bored so she had a fight with you?"
>Sigh.
>"Well at least that's done for now."
_____________________________
Damn it, why do I miss all the scenes involving Yuuka when I'm not here?! ><
-
> "If this is your idea of a conversation... damn, you'd fit right in Underground, a lot better than I thought."
> "Well, at least Yuuka's finally on her way. Freakin' pain in the ass... hey Ran, did you still want to go see what Alice'll be up to now that she has Yuuka to help?"
-
>"She was bored so she had a fight with you?"
>Sigh.
>"Well at least that's done for now."
> "Yup."
> You sigh.
> "Yeah, hopefully she had enough fun not to come near the village until spring rolls around. Although the villagers'll probably miss the light shows."
> "If this is your idea of a conversation... damn, you'd fit right in Underground, a lot better than I thought."
> "Well, at least Yuuka's finally on her way. Freakin' pain in the ass... hey Ran, did you still want to go see what Alice'll be up to now that she has Yuuka to help?"
> "That place is pretty wild," Mokou muses.
> Freakin' Yuuka...
> Ran nods. 'As long as I can see it for myself.'
> _
-
> "Okay, then. Mokou, are you sure you're okay? I can help you get home if you like."
> Ran probably wouldn't want her blood all over her fur...
-
> "Okay, then. Mokou, are you sure you're okay? I can help you get home if you like."
> Ran probably wouldn't want her blood all over her fur...
> Mokou stands up and stretches her arms. "I've walked away from fights with Kaguya in worse condition. I'll be fine."
> Well, Ran getting blood on her fur wouldn't be very nice...
> _
-
> "Wait, you mean that time back at the rabbit's place...?"
> Gah, this is so weird. But it's Mokou, so it's okay... probably.
> "So, take care then. Don't die like that on me again."
> Mount up and ride off.
-
> "Wait, you mean that time back at the rabbit's place...?"
> Gah, this is so weird. But it's Mokou, so it's okay... probably.
> "So, take care then. Don't die like that on me again."
> Mount up and ride off.
> "That and other times. Lots of other times."
> You wonder whether or not you can handle Mokou dying all over the place.
> "You too." Mokou waves, puts her hands in her pockets, and saunters back to the village.
> You get back on Ran and ride back into the Forest of Magic.
> 'I take it we're going to the puppeteer's house?' Ran asks.
> _
-
> "Yeah. See what the heck Alice has up her sleeve."
-
> "Yeah. See what the heck Alice has up her sleeve."
> 'All right, then.'
> You and Ran head over to Alice's house.
> The first thing you notice when you get there is that there are a lot of flowers in the garden. It's like a mini version of the Garden of the Sun, in fact.
> You don't see anyone outside.
> _
-
> "Huh... it'll be tough to have you participate, what with you being about the same size as the house..."
-
> "Huh... it'll be tough to have you participate, what with you being about the same size as the house..."
> 'Perhaps...Well, as long as they come outside eventually.'
> _
-
>"So we'll just have to ask them to have an outdoor tea party or something."
-
>"So we'll just have to ask them to have an outdoor tea party or something."
> 'In that case, here's hoping they won't mind standing out in this cold.'
> _
-
>Dismount, go up to the door and knock.
-
> "And we can have some snacks and fried tofu."
> Damn, we're a bit hungry...
-
>Dismount, go up to the door and knock.
> You dismount, walk up to the door, and knock.
> "And we can have some snacks and fried tofu."
> Damn, we're a bit hungry...
> Some food would be nice...
> Alice answers the door.
> "Eh...? Hello. Um, we're having a bit of a discussion right now..."
> _
-
> "Yeah, I figured that. Me and Ran would like to overhear that discussion, too. Unfortunately, Ran's a tad bit big for your living room..."
-
>"So, you two mind maybe having a picnic outside?"
-
> "Yeah, I figured that. Me and Ran would like to overhear that discussion, too. Unfortunately, Ran's a tad bit big for your living room..."
> "That's kind of...well...." Alice trails off when she looks up and sees the house-sized kitsune.
>"So, you two mind maybe having a picnic outside?"
> "W-well..."
> You hear Yuuka's voice from inside. "What's going on?"
> "Ah, nothing~" Alice turns back to you. "...Fine. Hold on." She goes back in the house.
> You hear Yuuka's and Alice's voices, and then they both reappear at the doorway. Yuuka is carrying the doll.
> "There are chairs in the backyard, so let's just go back there," Alice says as she and Yuuka start to circle around the house.
> _
-
>Follow them around.
-
>Follow them around.
> You follow Alice and Yuuka to the backyard. Ran follows close behind, keeping a close eye on Yuuka.
> The table and chairs you saw before are still here, so you, Alice, and Yuuka take a seat. Alice's fingers twitch briefly.
> Ran takes a seat in the grass and watches.
> "So, where were we?" Alice asks.
> "I was saying how unlikely it is that your mother would actually give a care," Yuuka says with a smile. She sets the doll on her lap and steeples her fingers. Alice sighs.
> _
-
>"What, you mean with the whole soul dealie? Why wouldn't she?"
-
> Wish that Ran would sit closer so we could use her tail as a blanket.
-
>"What, you mean with the whole soul dealie? Why wouldn't she?"
> "Because she's a conniving demon business woman."
> "That's not true!" Alice takes a breath. "It's...it's because she's from a different dimension than Gensokyo, so what's going on here isn't affecting her world in the slightest."
> Wish that Ran would sit closer so we could use her tail as a blanket.
> You wish Ran would come closer. Her tails are so warm.
> _
-
> "Okay, let's back up for those of us who don't know what you're talking about: who's your mom, and how can she get Marisa's soul?"
-
>Or just anywhere; a foreleg is a fine enough place to recline.
>"Yeah, but you're her daughter, right? So she'd want you to be happy. Is it a big deal to retrieve a soul or something?
-
> "Okay, let's back up for those of us who don't know what you're talking about: who's your mom, and how can she get Marisa's soul?"
> Alice twitches her fingers, and Shanghai and Hourai appear out the back door with a tea tray. As the dolls start to set it up on the table, Alice begins to talk.
> "My mother is Shinki, the goddess and creator of Makai. She can not only create souls but also retrieve..." Alice puts a hand on her grimoire. "And, if rumors within Makai are correct, then there is another who deals with souls and the afterlife, somewhere deep within."
> Makai.
>Or just anywhere; a foreleg is a fine enough place to recline.
>"Yeah, but you're her daughter, right? So she'd want you to be happy. Is it a big deal to retrieve a soul or something?
> Any part of Ran would be warm.
> "That's true, but she has had bad experiences with Marisa, Reimu, Yuuka, and...someone else whose n-name escapes me. Her impression of Gensokyo isn't very good, and she was already worried about me leaving for here in the first place."
> _
-
> "And if you go back there to try to get her to help you, she might just keep you there."
-
> "And if you go back there to try to get her to help you, she might just keep you there."
> "But I want to request her help in person..."
> _
-
"I guess that's why you bring the other Miss Magratroid with you, then?"
-
"I guess that's why you bring the other Miss Magratroid with you, then?"
> "Not only that...We need Yuuka to access Makai in the first place."
> Shanghai hands out tea. Yuuka takes a sip from her cup and grins.
> "Makai is so nasty, always invading other places, that they couldn't ignore me now could they?"
> _
-
>"Especially if you made trouble there already and got away with it."
-
> Sip tea.
> "So, how'll you convince your mother to help you, then? D'ya got any leverage on her, or are you just gonna bounce her head against a wall a few times?"
-
>"And what's this about Makai invading places?
-
>After the suggestions for convincing, "Or maybe go for the pleading daughter routine? I hear that works wonders."
-
>"And if that doesn't work, you can always go the bargaining route."
-
>"Especially if you made trouble there already and got away with it."
>"And what's this about Makai invading places?
> Yuuka sets her teacup down on the table. "They're just so forgiving in that regard, though, that I'll have to make a racket all over again."
> "Makai used to be big on invasions as a means of expansion or just asserting power," Alice explains, sounding a little disgusted. "They did a good job of hiding that from me."
> Sip tea.
> "So, how'll you convince your mother to help you, then? D'ya got any leverage on her, or are you just gonna bounce her head against a wall a few times?"
> This tea's good.
>After the suggestions for convincing, "Or maybe go for the pleading daughter routine? I hear that works wonders."
> Alice sips her tea. "Pleading daughter routine, or convincing her that helping out will leave a lot of people in her debt."
>"And if that doesn't work, you can always go the bargaining route."
> "Hm, that, too."
> _
-
>"Heh, if moms are anything like I hear they are, she'll probably be overjoyed you showed up at all."
-
>"You may have to put up with some lecturing, though."
-
>"Heh, if moms are anything like I hear they are, she'll probably be overjoyed you showed up at all."
> "It has been a while since I last saw her."
>"You may have to put up with some lecturing, though."
> Alice drains her tea cup. "True. Refill." Hourai pours Alice another cup of tea. "I've been through worse; I should...I should be able to handle Mother lecturing me. That's the least of my problems."
> "Of course, we don't know which part of Makai we're going to end up in~" Yuuka sure is taking her time drinking.
> _
-
>"Hm? Why? Some random teleport thingy?"
-
>Stop lousy peoples with their stupid lousy moms grumble grumble.
>"What kind of parts are there to Makai?"
-
>"Hm? Why? Some random teleport thingy?"
> Yuuka leers at you. "When you sleep, do you know what kind of dream you'll have~?"
>Stop lousy peoples with their stupid lousy moms grumble grumble.
>"What kind of parts are there to Makai?"
> Stupid people with their stupid stupid moms grrrr
> "In M-Makai, there are vast, vast plains and hills dotted with nomads wandering around and small settlements, lots of sheppards and magicians studying away from home..." Alice traces a circle in the table. "And in the center is the huge city itself, split into districts." She traces a smaller circle in the center of the circle she just traced. "Bucuresti, Hokkai, Rajasthan, to name a few...they're all under control of the center district of Bucuresti, where Mother is. The whole of Makai is c-covered in miasma fatal to humans."
> _
-
> "So, then, your plan is to randomly teleport into Makai, find your mother, who's a goddess, and hope that she helps you instead of keeps you in Makai for the rest of your life? That sounds... kind of terrible."
-
So Romania is a part of hell!
>"Got a backup plan if she decides to keep you there?"
-
> "So, then, your plan is to randomly teleport into Makai, find your mother, who's a goddess, and hope that she helps you instead of keeps you in Makai for the rest of your life? That sounds... kind of terrible."
> "Pretty much." Alice takes a sip of tea. "Who said it was going to be easy?"
>"Got a backup plan if she decides to keep you there?"
> "I might not be able to open my grimoire, but I can still use danmaku and spellcards...and Yuuka will be with me."
> _
-
I'm really not sure what we can do to help her, and we don't have much of a reason to go with.
> Turn to Ran. "Ran, do you have any ideas?"
-
>Ponder: Did Yuugi ever express any opinions on the black white?
-
> Turn to Ran. "Ran, do you have any ideas?"
> You ask Ran if she has any ideas.
> 'Do you know anyone in Makai who you can find along the way?' Ran asks Alice.
> "Yeah..."
>Ponder: Did Yuugi ever express any opinions on the black white?
> Nothing more than mild interest; the black-white being a strong human and a fun fight caught her attention, at least.
> _
-
> "Well, that's a plus, I guess. Even with Yuuka, going up against Makai on your lonesome would be stretching it."
> Drink tea. "Hourai, could I have some more, please?"
-
>Sigh.
>"So you guys really don't have a much of a plan, do you?"
-
> "Well, that's a plus, I guess. Even with Yuuka, going up against Makai on your lonesome would be stretching it."
> Drink tea. "Hourai, could I have some more, please?"
> "Because ol' Shinki has a lot of supporters~" Yuuka says, and pokes Alice's cheek.
> "Mrgh..."
> You drink the tea and as Hourai for seconds. She eagerly obliges.
>Sigh.
>"So you guys really don't have a much of a plan, do you?"
> You sigh.
> "Brute forcing isn't a plan? Because I think it is." Yuuka takes the teapot and pours herself some more tea.
> _
-
> Nothing we can do with that.
> "Well, have fun with that. Wish I could help, but I gotta whole boatload of things on my list already. But hey! Just look at it like it's a honeymoon."
-
>"Though I'll tell you this much, the more force you use, the more of a reason she'll have to say no because she needs to fix things."
-
> Nothing we can do with that.
> "Well, have fun with that. Wish I could help, but I gotta whole boatload of things on my list already. But hey! Just look at it like it's a honeymoon."
>"Though I'll tell you this much, the more force you use, the more of a reason she'll have to say no because she needs to fix things."
> Well, if it's going to be like that...
> "Quite the honeymoon..." Alice sighs a bit and pets Shanghai on the head. "Th-that's understandable. Even if she says no, we won't let her bring us down."
> _
-
>"Just don't take no for an answer. I'm sure you got other ways you can convince. Leverages you can use and stuff."
-
> Finish tea.
> "By the way, where did you find that 'bracelet'?"
-
>"Just don't take no for an answer. I'm sure you got other ways you can convince. Leverages you can use and stuff."
> "But 'no' is not an option," Yuuka says.
> "We'll get it worked out."
> Finish tea.
> "By the way, where did you find that 'bracelet'?"
> You finish the tea and ask about the 'bracelet'.
> "Hmmmm, I found it a little ways outside my field one day."
> _
-
> Huh, sounds just as random as all the other ones.
> Stand up and stretch. "Well, good luck, then. Do you have any other advice, Ran?"
-
>"Were there any other weird things around there, where you found it?"
-
>"And do you know anything at all about it?"
-
>"You know, thinking on it, I kinda feel bad just letting you guys go after all the effort I've put into this. Alice, maybe something I can help with to ease things along?"
-
> Huh, sounds just as random as all the other ones.
> Stand up and stretch. "Well, good luck, then. Do you have any other advice, Ran?"
> They don't seem to have a pattern of where they appear.
> You stand up and stretch. Yuuka and Alice are standing up, now; Shanghai and Hourai are taking the tea tray back into the house.
> Ran stands up. 'Just make sure what happens in Makai stays in Makai; Gensokyo doesn't need any more problems right now.'
> "Geez, you talk as if that's actually going to happen," Yuuka says as she picks up her doll.
>"Were there any other weird things around there, where you found it?"
>"And do you know anything at all about it?"
> Yuuka shrugs. "Maybe there were, maybe there weren't. I needn't worry about those kinds of things."
>"You know, thinking on it, I kinda feel bad just letting you guys go after all the effort I've put into this. Alice, maybe something I can help with to ease things along?"
> Alice blinks in surprise. "Eh? Um...I won't be able to work on Flandre's doll while I'm in Makai, and my h-house will be unguarded. Perhaps if you could find someone to house sit...Also, if you know of any spells or tricks that could be useful...?"
> _
-
>"I was thinking more direct things, but I dunno. Maybe I could at least sleep here or something and keep the faeries out."
-
> Well, our house is currently destroyed... and having a place to crash would be nice, what with how busy we are up here.
-
>"I was thinking more direct things, but I dunno. Maybe I could at least sleep here or something and keep the faeries out."
> "I suppose so. Hmmm." Alice tilts her head.
> Well, our house is currently destroyed... and having a place to crash would be nice, what with how busy we are up here.
> You don't have time to go back Underground every time you want to sleep, so it would be convenient to stay at Alice's place for a while.
> _
-
> Who else could be available... Ran and Chen, maybe. Alice probably wouldn't appreciate Cirno being here, though.
-
>Yuugi is probably too busy to invite up, alas.
-
> Who else could be available... Ran and Chen, maybe. Alice probably wouldn't appreciate Cirno being here, though.
> You think of other people who could house sit.
> Alice probably won't want an ice fairy(?) hanging around her house. Maybe Ran and Chen?
>Yuugi is probably too busy to invite up, alas.
> Yuugi's got her own incident to solve, so no go.
> _
-
>"Hey Ran, maybe you and Chen could stay around here, too? Or do you have your own places to be?"
-
>"Hey Ran, maybe you and Chen could stay around here, too? Or do you have your own places to be?"
> 'There's no problem with Chen and I staying here. I'll have to run back to Kourindou to get her, though.'
> _
-
>"Yeah, we got this place covered. Mind if I get in the pantry a bit?"
-
>"Yeah, we got this place covered. Mind if I get in the pantry a bit?"
> "The pantry? O-okay..."
> _
-
Might as well add a quest for the eyes of gold.
> Add Quest: GoldenEyes
> Add relevant information.
-
>"Not gonna empty it, just make myself something, you know. Maybe probably fry up a little tofu for Ran."
-
> "When're you guys heading out?"
-
> Add Quest: GoldenEyes
> Add relevant information.
> Quest Added: GoldenEyes
> You've been finding these strange golden chains and eye-shaped orbs around Gensokyo. What they are and what their purpose is is a complete mystery. So far, you've found four golden chains and three golden eyes. Two chains and eyes from Nitori, one eye from Satori, one chain from Alice, and one chain from Kourindou.
>"Not gonna empty it, just make myself something, you know. Maybe probably fry up a little tofu for Ran."
> Alice nods in understanding.
> "When're you guys heading out?"
> "After we get some things together first. We'll be gone a while."
> _
-
> "Okay, and I'll need to get a change of clothes from my place, plus I should check up to see how Reimu's doing underground..."
-
> "Okay, and I'll need to get a change of clothes from my place, plus I should check up to see how Reimu's doing underground..."
> Yuuka grins. "Ohhh, Reimu? She's still ticking?"
> Alice blinks again. "D-do what you need to do. Also, th-there are old spare nightgowns upstairs if you need any..."
> _
-
> "Thanks. We'll keep a watch on your place, don't worry."
> We should probably head back to Kourin's so that Ran can get Chen.
-
>To Yuuka: "Kind of. She's still recovering from the early attacks."
-
> "Thanks. We'll keep a watch on your place, don't worry."
> We should probably head back to Kourin's so that Ran can get Chen.
> "Th-thank you."
> It's high time you picked up Chen from Kourin's.
>To Yuuka: "Kind of. She's still recovering from the early attacks."
> Yuuka looks back as she heads in through the back door. "It would be so terrible if she died~"
> _
-
>Wave.
>"Let's go fetch your Chen, shall we?"
-
> Let's go back to Kourin's on Ran's back.
> When we get there: "All right, I'm gonna go head underground. I should be back in a few hours, so I can meet you at Alice's."
> Hug Ran around the neck. "Thanks for all of your help."
-
>Wave.
>"Let's go fetch your Chen, shall we?"
> You wave to Yuuka and Alice, who are heading back into the house. Alice waves back, while Yuuka just makes eye contact.
> Let's go back to Kourin's on Ran's back.
> When we get there: "All right, I'm gonna go head underground. I should be back in a few hours, so I can meet you at Alice's."
> Hug Ran around the neck. "Thanks for all of your help."
> You climb on Ran and head back to Kourindou with her.
> When you get there, you let Ran know where you'll be and hug her around the neck.
> 'You're quite welcome.' Ran nuzzles you on the head. So soooft.
> _
-
>Pat her back.
>"Ah, it was nothing."
>Wave to Chen if we see her, then head for the reactor entrance.
-
> Savor the moment.
-
> Savor the moment.
> This is something you're definitely going to remember.
>Pat her back.
>"Ah, it was nothing."
>Wave to Chen if we see her, then head for the reactor entrance.
> You pat Ran on the back.
> It was nothing, it was nothing...
> You don't see Chen, but if you did you would wave to her. You then head for the reactor entrance.
> The reactor entrance hasn't changed at all since you last left it.
> _
-
> All right, go down, pass through the reactor, and go to Satori's.
> If we see Koishi, ask that soldier for a status update on Operation: Hook up the stuffy sister and the red white oni miko.
> Contemplate getting shorter operation names.
-
>Reject this at once, long operation names are great.
>Ponder stopping in and picking up our eye chain, too.
-
> That's actually why we're here: the thing that we have is obviously sentient, so if we can add more eyes and chains then Satori could tell what's up with the shocker.
-
> All right, go down, pass through the reactor, and go to Satori's.
> If we see Koishi, ask that soldier for a status update on Operation: Hook up the stuffy sister and the red white oni miko.
> Contemplate getting shorter operation names.
> You quickly head down the tunnel, pass through the reactor--which is still full of kappa--and head over to the Palace.
> You see Koishi as you pass through the courtyard, so you ask her for an update on the operation.
> Maybe you should just call it "Operation Reisato".
> Koishi is sitting on the ground, waving a cat teaser over the heads of a bunch of kittens. Her rabbit is cowering behind her.
> "The mikooo--" Koishi swings the cat teaser around. "--was awake for five minutes," she says.
>Reject this at once, long operation names are great.
>Ponder stopping in and picking up our eye chain, too.
> Long operation names are good.
> You wonder if you should stop in and pick up the eye chain. Gotta add it to the collection, after all.
> That's actually why we're here: the thing that we have is obviously sentient, so if we can add more eyes and chains then Satori could tell what's up with the shocker.
> Well, that's part of the reason you came here in the first place...
> _
-
>"Hey, I'm going to go in and get that chain thing, what'd Satori do with it?"
-
>"Hey, I'm going to go in and get that chain thing, what'd Satori do with it?"
> Koishi turns back to the kittens. "I dunno."
> _
-
> Pick up the rabbit and calm it down.
> "How was Reimu when she woke up?"
-
>"Where's Satori at?"
-
> Pick up the rabbit and calm it down.
> "How was Reimu when she woke up?"
> You pick up the rabbit to try and calm it down. It quivers in your arms.
> "She was so sleepy that she looked like a zombie." Koishi giggles.
>"Where's Satori at?"
> "Right in there." She points to the Palace.
> _
-
>"Alright. I think I'm going to go ask her about my chain. Seeya, Koishi."
>Set the rabbit down, away from the cats.
>Head into the palace.
-
>"Alright. I think I'm going to go ask her about my chain. Seeya, Koishi."
>Set the rabbit down, away from the cats.
>Head into the palace.
> "Byeee~" Koishi waves to you.
> You set the rabbit down a good distance from the cats. It hops into the bushes.
> You head into the Palace. There aren't a lot of animals in here, so you imagine that they're all outside right now.
> Satori is sitting on a couch, reading something. Reimu is sitting next to her, asleep. She's wearing a nightgown, and is resting her head on Satori's shoulder. You notice that Satori's third eye's veins are wrapped around her shoulders.
> "You missed quite the chase scene," Satori says without looking at you. She reaches into her dress pocket and pulls out the chain and eye.
> _
-
> D'aww...
> "And you know that I already know about it. So, what happened to Sanae and Kogasa?"
-
>"Konngara kinda got things even for you."
-
> Motion for Satori to toss us the eye and chain: there was quite a reaction the last time, and we don't want to hurt Reimu.
-
>Thinking on it, what do we know about oni and their hyuman kidnappings?
-
> D'aww...
> "And you know that I already know about it. So, what happened to Sanae and Kogasa?"
> That's really cute...
> "Yes. I read it from Konngara's mind as she was heading for the reactor tunnel. She left for the city after telling me of Okuu's situation above ground, and then started chasing the wind priestess immediately after. Needless to say, it was definitely pre-meditated; she just used the situation to lure an interesting human to a place where she could chase her freely." Satori turns a page in her book. "It was something you had to have been there for to appreciate. She got the wind priestess intoxicated and took her back to her shrine, which she then fixed up enough so that it was livable. The karakasa wouldn't leave Sanae's side, obviously..." Satori waves her hand dismissively. "Then she spent the better part of an hour running around the city making sure no one would touch her. I suppose Sanae is there because it's a shrine. Konngara's motives were surprisingly simple for something that well thought out."
>"Konngara kinda got things even for you."
> "Ah, she did..." Satori flips another page in her book.
> Motion for Satori to toss us the eye and chain: there was quite a reaction the last time, and we don't want to hurt Reimu.
> You motion for Satori to toss you the eye and chain. You don't want Reimu to get hurt.
> Satori sets her book down, throws you the eye and chain, and returns to her book.
> The chain coils around your wrist, but relaxes once it has stopped swinging.
>Thinking on it, what do we know about oni and their hyuman kidnappings?
> Oni usually kidnap humans for non-malicious reasons, usually for fun or because they've taken a liking to them. You hear it caused a lot of problems before the oni retreated to the Former Hell, probably because the oni were stubborn about letting go the humans they kidnapped...among other reasons, but that's a different story altogether. Human/oni relations are kind of complicated, apparently.
> _
-
> "So, out of curiosity, any other motives Konngara might've had for kidnapping Sanae, wink wink nudge nudge?"
> Attach the eyes and chains together.
> "Can you make any more sense out of it now?"
-
>Before integrating the chains: "Alright, I'm going to put the on. If you start shocking people, I'm going to spend the next ten minute smacking you into the wall, okay? We have a sick person in here."
>Give that a moment to sink in, then do it.
-
>And stand back after pulling out the chains and eyes, in case they do get zappy.
-
> "So, out of curiosity, any other motives Konngara might've had for kidnapping Sanae, wink wink nudge nudge?"
> Attach the eyes and chains together.
> "Can you make any more sense out of it now?"
> "That would be Konngara's business," Satori says dryly, but you see her smirking a bit.
>Before integrating the chains: "Alright, I'm going to put the on. If you start shocking people, I'm going to spend the next ten minute smacking you into the wall, okay? We have a sick person in here."
>Give that a moment to sink in, then do it.
>And stand back after pulling out the chains and eyes, in case they do get zappy.
> You decide to attach the chains together, but before you do it, you let the chain know what will happen if it tries to do anything funny. All of the eyes quiver.
> You let it sink in, then attach the chains.
> When you attach the chains, it actually starts to float. The four chains stretch out like some incomplete starfish, and the eyes start to move in the same direction at once. Electricity courses through it, and although it doesn't shock anyone, you stand back anyway. You think you see the electricity forming some sort of shape, but you can't tell what it is.
> Satori's third eye twitches as it stares down the chains.
> "...It sounds scared," Satori says after a moment.
> _
-
> "But it ain't clear? Can ya at least get a name?"
-
> "But it ain't clear? Can ya at least get a name?"
> "No, it's not...With the thoughts being so scattered, it makes reading that long name of hers impossible."
> _
-
> "Long name, huh... well, we're getting close, I guess. Can you tell how many more eyes she needs?"
-
>Does the electricity subside at all?
>"Hey, sorry about the harsh words. Just, people being shocked and all. I guess you didn't mean it last time."
-
> "Long name, huh... well, we're getting close, I guess. Can you tell how many more eyes she needs?"
> "By the looks of it, two eyes. So, she probably needs one more chain."
>Does the electricity subside at all?
>"Hey, sorry about the harsh words. Just, people being shocked and all. I guess you didn't mean it last time."
> It stays pretty constant, but doesn't go away.
> You apologize to the floating eyes. They quiver, but don't do anything else.
> _
-
>How big is it?
>"Guess I'll just have to keep my eyes open."
>Belatedly realize the bad play on words.
-
> To eyes: "Say, can you sense at all where the rest of you is? Look up for yes, look down for no."
-
>How big is it?
>"Guess I'll just have to keep my eyes open."
>Belatedly realize the bad play on words.
> Half your size.
> You make sure to keep your eyes open.
> ...That was terrible. Satori looks like she's trying not to laugh.
> To eyes: "Say, can you sense at all where the rest of you is? Look up for yes, look down for no."
> You ask the eyes if she knows where the rest of her is. All eyes point down.
> _
-
> "All right, I guess I find them like I found the rest of you: wander around aimlessly until you fall into my lap."
> "Speaking of falling into laps..." turn to Satori. "I heard Reimu woke up for a little while."
-
>Before that: To the Eye thing: "Oh well. So, um, I need to call you something. How about
Eyedol Yoshi Emi?"
-
> "All right, I guess I find them like I found the rest of you: wander around aimlessly until you fall into my lap."
> "Speaking of falling into laps..." turn to Satori. "I heard Reimu woke up for a little while."
>Before that: To the Eye thing: "Oh well. So, um, I need to call you something. How about Eyedol Yoshi Emi?"
> In the end, it's all up to chance. The eyes nod.
> The eyes don't seem to object to being called Emi.
> "She did." Satori leans against Reimu. "She was awake long enough to wander downstairs and ask for tea. She fell asleep again before I could go make it, though."
> _
-
> Blink blink. "So... she was sleep walking? No questions about where she was or what happened?"
-
> Blink blink. "So... she was sleep walking? No questions about where she was or what happened?"
> "I'm not sure. Her thoughts were lucid enough. She knew where she was, but she didn't register what happened."
> _
-
>"Or..."
>Tap the appropriate place on our forehead to mirror Lil Reirei's new appendages
>In fact, have a look at those, see if they've changed.
-
>"Or..."
>Tap the appropriate place on our forehead to mirror Lil Reirei's new appendages
>In fact, have a look at those, see if they've changed.
> You tap your own forehead to indicate Reimu's horns.
> They haven't grown or shrunk at all.
> "She didn't notice them yet, but she vaguely noted at one point that her head felt strange."
> _
-
>"Yeah...I kinda hope I'm not around when she finds out. It's not going to be even a little pretty. Looks like she's doing alright, though. She in much pain? Actually...can you read her at all right now?"
-
> "I guess you'll get her through it." One way or another, judging by Satori's heart cords, heh heh.
> To Emi: "So, uh, back in my pocket, I guess?"
> "I'll be topside a lot more often, staying at Alice's place with a kitsune and a nekomata." Remember how fluffy Ran's fur was. "So, if you need anything from me, that's where I'll be."
-
>"Yeah...I kinda hope I'm not around when she finds out. It's not going to be even a little pretty. Looks like she's doing alright, though. She in much pain? Actually...can you read her at all right now?"
> "True...her reaction won't be pretty. She was in pain earlier, but she's resting peacefully now."
> You ask her if she's able to read Reimu's mind now.
> "Bits and pieces. The mind tends to be more closed off when one is asleep. I think she's having a very nice dream right now, though."
> "I guess you'll get her through it." One way or another, judging by Satori's heart cords, heh heh.
> To Emi: "So, uh, back in my pocket, I guess?"
> "I'll be topside a lot more often, staying at Alice's place with a kitsune and a nekomata." Remember how fluffy Ran's fur was. "So, if you need anything from me, that's where I'll be."
> "I will."
> Her heart cords, heh heh. Satori closes her eyes.
> You return Emi to your pocket. Thankfully she doesn't shock you.
> "'Alice'? Oh..." Satori puts a bookmark in the book she's reading. "I'll send up Orin if I need anything."
> _
-
>"I'll keep an eye out for her. Tell her to leave a note if I'm not around."
Anything else to discuss?
-
>"I'll keep an eye out for her. Tell her to leave a note if I'm not around."
> "Okay. Ah, I should tell her where to go as well..." Satori's third eye stares you down. Getting directions?
> _
-
That's all I can think of. Just need to get clothes, toiletries, and maybe visit Yuugi and Sanae.
> Think about how to get to Alice's house, for Satori's benefit.
> "Thanks for your help."
> Leave, wave goodbye to Koishi as we pass by.
> Head to our place.
-
Definitely visit Yuugi.
-
> Think about how to get to Alice's house, for Satori's benefit.
> "Thanks for your help."
> Leave, wave goodbye to Koishi as we pass by.
> Head to our place.
> You think about how to get to Alice's house.
> "Mhm." Satori waves to you.
> You wave goodbye to Satori and Koishi (who is still out in the courtyard), and head out to your place.
> You pass through the city with no incident, and soon make it to your bridge.
> It's...it's been a while since you were last here. It's quiet, with the city being as far away as it is. Almost all of the holes in your bridge have been patched up. It looks better than the last time you were here, and you wonder if Yuugi or someone has been working on it. Looking over the bridge, you see the familiar stream that runs through, and your house down below, a small place built into the rock. It hasn't been in the best of shape since the earthquake, but you can still go and get what you need.
> _
-
> Find a backpack or a satchel. Fill it with warm clothes, underwear, toiletries, a nightgown, a few memorabilia that we don't want stolen...
> ... Put a pair of that racy underwear that we got on a whim to maybe impress a special someone in there o#o
> If there's a picture of Yuugi, bring that too.
-
> Say, whatever happened to our headbutt competition idea? Didn't we make it a quest?
-
>Do we have any tofu? Toss that in too.
>There's not any signs of cucumber remnants around, are there?