> Patchouli: Assist Remilia.The crowd is none too pleased that Remi has attempted to upstage their beloved Yamame. Looks like you'll need to save Remi's bacon.
Your throwing arm is MORE THAN A LITTLE RUSTY. So much for PLAN A.
> Ichirin: Approach Keine.You approach the Hakutaku and prepare to engage in DIPLOMANCY.
You bring up the most ubiquitous of all conversation starters, the weather. Keine appears confused because you're underground.
Little does Keine know that this was a calculated response on your part, in order to make yourself appear knowledgable and interesting!
You explain to Keine that FORMER HELL experiences weather changes from time to time, including hot humid days, foggy conditions, or even snow in the winter! It's a relatively mild day underground today, and therefore the weather is indeed quite nice.
Keine says "oh".
She then confirms that your name is Ichirin Kumoi. She says she didn't recognize you at first because of your new outfit.
You reply that you just wanted to dress up for the party for fun. You add that Keine doesn't really need to do the same, since her outfit is already one of the BEST IN GENSOKYO. (This isn't even an empty compliment, because it actually is.)
Keine looks a bit embarassed at the flattery.
You apologize and say you're sorry for bothering her, and that you'll leave her alone now.
Keine interjects and apologizes for her own behavior. Little does she know that this is ALSO a calculated maneuver on your part! It's not very nice to guilt her like that, but you do want to help, and this will get her to talk about what's actually bothering her.
She explains that she convinced a friend of hers to come to the party with her, but that the friend never showed up. Being stood up is one thing, but she adds that she wonders if she shouldn't have pushed her friend to come in the first place and that it's her own fault.
Furthermore, Keine adds, it seems the fact that NO HUMANS WERE INVITED was a deliberate move, as the oni don't seem to be too happy about her being here. She feels like she shouldn't have come at all and that she should just go home.
You tell Keine to cheer up. It isn't her fault if her friend didn't want to come, some people are just too shy to enjoy being around strangers. One of your own friends seems to have run off too, so she's not alone there.
You ask her to hang out with you, since most of your fellow followers will probably be busy getting hammered and you need someone to explore the party with.
Keine quietly nods and says okay.
Ichirin, you sly devil! You've made Keine play right into your hands! You're going to give her so much FRIENDSHIP and SUPPORT and CHERISHED MEMORIES, she won't even know what hit her.
Ichirin: Explore party with new companion.You wonder if they have that ring toss game. You're awesome at those!
However, after walking down the street a short way, you realize Keine has stopped behind you. You ask her what's wrong.
Keine hurriedly unfurls her scroll, and orders everyone to hold still!
~
What happened next is a blur. Keine's power seemed to wrap around everyone and cause them to vanish, just as THE VAST GAP descended upon you.
The next thing you knew, you woke up here. Satori was the first person you found, and the rest of you met up shortly after.
> Patchouli: Explain.
You explain that Keine has the ABILITY TO EAT HISTORY. The exact mechanics of this are rather vague, but basically she is able to temporarily (or permanently?) "eat" the history of a person or place, causing it to vanish.
Keine was probably trying to save everyone from IMPENDING GAP-RELATED DOOM. During the IMPERISHABLE NIGHT INCIDENT, she was able to use her ability to hide the entire HUMAN VILLAGE, so it isn't a stretch to say she could have hidden everyone at the party, as well as everyone for a few miles around. That would explain why almost everybody is gone.
This does raise a few more questions though. Keine apparently hid herself as well, so how did she plan to release everyone afterwards? She's not stupid, so she must have had some kind of plan. Also, why were each of you left behind? You don't seem to have anything in common (besides the obvious superficial similarity). Ichirin was even standing right next to Keine. Did something go wrong?
You suggest that you all continue with your stories so that you can piece together more information.
> END OF ACT 1 PART 1Who will go next?
> SELECT PLAYER: _
