Seija Quest 4

[Kilgamayan]

> Do we still have the book we grabbed?

[Tom]

> You sure do!

[Kilgamayan]

> Stop crawling, and hold the book out in front of us as far as our arms can reasonably extend, still closed but positioned such that we would look like we were reading it if we opened it. It should also be standing on the ground, so that it could remain upright even if we weren't holding it in place.
> Prepare (but do not activate) another position swap with the brown-haired figure.
> Then open the book, let go of it, and swap positions with the figure again!

[Tom]

> Stop crawling, and hold the book out in front of us as far as our arms can reasonably extend, still closed but positioned such that we would look like we were reading it if we opened it. It should also be standing on the ground, so that it could remain upright even if we weren't holding it in place.
> Prepare (but do not activate) another position swap with the brown-haired figure.
> Then open the book, let go of it, and swap positions with the figure again!

> A risky idea comes to mind, and with a devious grin you hold out the book you picked up earlier while focusing on the figure ahead. Just as you're about to swap locations with them you open the book...
> Next thing you know there's a thundering bang in which all danmaku turns to that float towards you, granting a warm and fuzzy feeling of accomplishment!
> "Ugh- What in the world was that!?" A voice grumbles ahead of you.

[Kilgamayan]

> Stand up if we're still in crawling position, and run over to the theoretically fallen figure in order to (a) get a better look at them, and (b) be better positioned to further subdue them in the event they try anything else funny. Make sure to smirk while doing so, that's the most important part!
> If we happen across anything inanimate, like a rock, that is small enough that we could close a fist and hide it, pick it up along the way. No big deal if we can't find such a thing, though.

[Tom]

> Stand up if we're still in crawling position, and run over to the theoretically fallen figure in order to (a) get a better look at them, and (b) be better positioned to further subdue them in the event they try anything else funny. Make sure to smirk while doing so, that's the most important part!
> If we happen across anything inanimate, like a rock, that is small enough that we could close a fist and hide it, pick it up along the way. No big deal if we can't find such a thing, though.

> You stand up and produce a smirk that only one who's just defeated their opponent with their own weapon can appreciate! Now close, you're able to recognize the figure as Kosuzu, the book shop assistant.
> There aren't any gravel-like rocks in the street, only firmly packed soil from frequent use.
> "Y-Youkai attack in the village!" she shouts, seeing you approach. As her words echo among the buildings you hear commotion back towards the main street. It appears all the bright danmaku has awoken a crowd.

[Kilgamayan]

> Is she still on the ground, or has she stood up?

[Tom]

> Is she still on the ground, or has she stood up?

> She's getting back on her feet while backpedaling.

[Kilgamayan]

> Memory check: Was Kosuzu's hair brown when we visited her shop earlier?
> Frown and place our fists on our hips in semi-mock anger.
> "Oi, don't go causing a midnight ruckus and then blaming me for it!"
> Once she's back on her feet, undo the most recent swap so we're our proper sizes again.

[Tom]

> Memory check: Was Kosuzu's hair brown when we visited her shop earlier?
> Frown and place our fists on our hips in semi-mock anger.
> "Oi, don't go causing a midnight ruckus and then blaming me for it!"
> Once she's back on her feet, undo the most recent swap so we're our proper sizes again.

> Indeed it was a light brown!
> You switch locations, causing her to stumble once more and backpedal faster as a result.
> "Wh- You call delivering some n-novels to miss Akyuu a ruckus!?" she shouts while waving menacingly.

[Kilgamayan]

> "I definitely call whatever you did at the inn a ruckus. And since you're keen to shift blame to a youkai, maybe we should ask the human shrine maiden that was with me there what she thinks?"

[Tom]

> "I definitely call whatever you did at the inn a ruckus. And since you're keen to shift blame to a youkai, maybe we should ask the human shrine maiden that was with me there what she thinks?"

> "What inn!? Ask miss Akyuu, I just delivered the novels she asked for, she'll show them to you as proof!" she shouts.

[Kilgamayan]

> Cross our arms, and change our expression from a look of irritation to a different look of irritation.
> "Fine, let's do that, then. Lead the way, little lady."

[Tom]

> Cross our arms, and change our expression from a look of irritation to a different look of irritation.
> "Fine, let's do that, then. Lead the way, little lady."

> She does her best to ignore your newfound look of irritation.
> Leading you to the mayor's estate she knocks on the door, and after a short wait miss Akyuu opens the doors.
> "Kosuzu and.. Seija? It's quite late..." Akyuu questions.
> With a smirk Kosuzu speaks "We've come to collect two novels that are way past overdue to be returned!"
> In a daze Akyuu responds "I- I haven't even opened them, you literally just dropped them off a minute ago! Is this your two's idea of a prank!?"
> Visibly irritated the mayor slams the door shut and locks it.

[Kilgamayan]

> Change our expression from a look of irritation to a look of concerned confusion (which is probably not all that different from our look of irritation).
> To Kosuzu: "...Something's strange here. How many of those danmaku-summoning books tonight were yours?"

[Tom]

> Change our expression from a look of irritation to a look of concerned confusion (which is probably not all that different from our look of irritation).
> To Kosuzu: "...Something's strange here. How many of those danmaku-summoning books tonight were yours?"

> Your expression seems to also confuse Kosuzu.
> "Uhh I had five demon books, that's about all I can carry together with two novels!" she explains.

[Kilgamayan]

> "And did you tell anyone that you were making this delivery?"

[Tom]

> "And did you tell anyone that you were making this delivery?"

> "Suzunaan's schedule is public! We deliver every day some time past closing hour." she explains.
> "No one else offers same-day delivery in Gensokyo!" she adds.

[Kilgamayan]

> Briefly go into core-viewing mode just to check out what symbolic core Kosuzu has. Let it go and return to normal once we've seen it.

> Frown again.
> "Then you should know that you weren't the only person running around town with those exact type of demon books tonight. So someone either got really lucky, or actively tried to set you up as the fall woman for what happened at the inn."

[Tom]

> Briefly go into core-viewing mode just to check out what symbolic core Kosuzu has. Let it go and return to normal once we've seen it.

> Frown again.
> "Then you should know that you weren't the only person running around town with those exact type of demon books tonight. So someone either got really lucky, or actively tried to set you up as the fall woman for what happened at the inn."

> Kosuzu's essence is a tree with a seemingly endless amount of branches on it, focusing on any one of them is nigh impossible as they just divide indefinitely.

> She gasps in shock before questioning "What do you mean the inn?"

[Kilgamayan]

> "There was a disturbance there earlier tonight, while that shrine maiden I mentioned and I were discussing what happened to Yakumo."
> Describe the noises we heard.
> "We split up to investigate, and I ended up chasing someone down that was dropping demon books in their wake to shake me off. Guess it worked, if I ended up tracking you instead."

[Tom]

> "There was a disturbance there earlier tonight, while that shrine maiden I mentioned and I were discussing what happened to Yakumo."
> Describe the noises we heard.
> "We split up to investigate, and I ended up chasing someone down that was dropping demon books in their wake to shake me off. Guess it worked, if I ended up tracking you instead."

> Still in shock "Wait, so you think they dropped the books and timed it just right so that I'd get blamed for whatever happened?"

[Kilgamayan]

> "If your delivery times are posted publicly, I think it's possible."
> "Would you be willing to go with me to meet up with the shrine maiden? She was investigating the inn's library. Maybe you might spot something out of place that rest of us would miss?"

[Tom]

> "If your delivery times are posted publicly, I think it's possible."
> "Would you be willing to go with me to meet up with the shrine maiden? She was investigating the inn's library. Maybe you might spot something out of place that rest of us would miss?"

> "Umm sure, if you think I can help?" she nods.

[Kilgamayan]

> "I do. This way."
> Walk back to the inn.

[Tom]

> "I do. This way."
> Walk back to the inn.

> The two of you return to the inn to find the reception still vacant and the usually open door to the library closed once more.

[Kilgamayan]

> "Sanae? You here?"

[Tom]

> "Sanae? You here?"

> "A! In the library!" She opens the door slightly and half steps out.

[Kilgamayan]

> "Find anything good?"
> Head into the library.

[Tom]

> "Find anything good?"
> Head into the library.

> Still blocking the way she explains "I've located miss Fujiwara and Shinmyoumaru.. And have a pretty good idea of what made all the noise."