I will look for Yuuka ♥
— Kurumi.
> Before we do get noticed, check everything we can about our figure. Don't want to be caught in pajamas or something. How do we compare to Kurumi and Yuuka?
> With our increased power, how are our abilities compared to before? What are we capable of?
> Inventory check.
> What is our scythe like?
> Tiles?
> Let's keep finding, or making, such material in mind for later, then.
> What's the Black Coach?
> Are we closer to Kurumi, or mistress Yuuka?
> Keep watch of the figure in hiding...
> Keep watch and on our guard for now. It could be one of those invaders...
> What's in the mansion and Mugenkan that we really shouldn't let people into? Was it mainly to prevent them from bothering our mistress, or were there other things?
> Keep watching... Do they look familiar yet?
> Few probably know about where the Lake of Blood leads... Are they here for us?
// Oh wow a quest featuring a PC98 character, love it!
> Would Yuuka be annoyed if she found out we started living in the mansion? Could we spin it off as being necessary for upkeep?
> "Good morning. We are in what I know as Gensokyo. If you mean more specific, then I doubt you've heard of such a place, but we're near the Lake of Blood."
> Do we know of much Gensokyo locations?
> "You must be pretty lost to be out here..."
> Sigh.
> "And here I thought for a second that someone had actually come to see me. Well, I'm afraid I can't tell you too much about the civilization of Gensokyo either. I'm not the most popular, as you've demonstrated..."
> Don't think too hard about being unpopular...
> "You can call me Elly. And, may I have something to call you?"
> "I could probably help you search."
> "Well, Lucy, I have no starting point. So wherever your going, if it's not here, it's an improvement."
> "Im not going to try and guide you to hell or anything. Im looking for someone. ...not to do that to them, either! Either way, if you dont want to lead, i can... Try."
> ...Do we even know how to pilot / drive the Black Coach, if we summon it?
> "I haven't made any enemies out here though, so I'd share your fate should anything happen. Not like petty bandits could stop me."
> Pick a direction and lead!
> Have we heard of it?
> "My... who now?"
> "Whoa... Guess I picked a good path, huh? Alright, large place. So many areas to check for the people we're looking for... How about we start nearest?"
> Point to the two buildings.
> "Whoa whoa, I know the sight is beautiful, but I told you I wasn't guiding you to hell!"
> Can we fly?
> "Oh... Uh, guess you're going to heaven, then?"
> Fly up to her. Or down if she hasn't risen yet...
> "They certainly look better than just... floating by."
> Land gracefully.
> Is there anywhere we can store our scythe to look... non-imposing? Don't wanna scare off the locals too badly.
> "Could be people living here even more likely, then. Though the rest of that civilization is a less risky idea. Some people might get the wrong idea if they see a scythe wielding person and a winged person appear at their doorstep personally."
> "To deter anyone too bothersome, or with ill intentions."
> Demanifest it, then.
> "Excuse usss~"
> Before we come into view yet, at least.
> "Good morning. I dont mean to take too much of your time, but I'm looking for someone."
> How familiar?
> How would we describe Kurumi and Yuuka to someone? We should recall what they wore last, and how they normally look to someone that doesnt know them...
> "Er, right. A young woman, possibly with an umbrella. Blond hair, white bow, large dark wings... Or another beautiful maiden with a lovely umbrella, green hair, and a plaid / checkered clothing?"
> "Oh, you know of her? Please tell me where I can find her."
> "Elly."
> Blink.
> "Well, just a gatekeeper, I suppose..."
> "...Ah. It's you..."
> No no, we shouldn't snap or anything... She knows where Yuuka is. Maybe.
> Wait, how does she know and not us?!
> "Well... ahem... anyways, where were you going to say Yuuka was?"
> Summon our scythe back in a flourish.
> "You call it weird, I call it unique. I'd rather it be this way than just being a simple tool farmers can use."
> "...Now, where uh, is this Sun Garden?"
> "Alright, thanks. We'll be out of your hair then."
> Wave off, and start towards that settlement we noticed earlier.
> "Oh?"
> "Oh dear. And here I had the slight thought that she'd act a bit likeable in her search for Yuuka. What're you gonna do if you bring more trouble to her, Kurumi?"
> "Oh right. Anything else you can say about her? Like where she was headed. Or if she said anything?"
> "ill keep an eye out for her,then..."
> pout m slightly...
> "Ill do my best. And of course, you don't have to worry about me causing trouble. Elly's just looking out for her friends."
> "Well, we should find Yuuka first. She might even have news about Kurumi, too. It's unlikely for Kurumi to have news of Yuuka conversely."
> "If there isn't anything else, then..."
> Start off for Yuuka and the Garden as we were going to.
> "Slap some sense into her."
> "Yes."
> "As am I. Well, not always, but I'm a gatekeeper. It's dangerous to try and force your way past me."
> "Oh? What could you mean?" Innocently
> "I suppose we could try. I haven't had a good fight in a while, though..."
> "I shouldn't be that rusty..."
>"I hope my mettle exceeds your expectations."
->Roll our shoulders to stretch
>Head towards the clearing
> Phil
> Dear... How rusty are we, again...?
> Can we actually beat Kurumi if we had to fight...?
>How do we fight?
->Do we use spellcards?
> "Will we be doing that... spell card thingy?"
> "I suppose not... Its something people from here do, apparently."
>Nod
>"I am much more familiar with that."
->"What shall determine the winner?"
> " So a sparring match. Alright."
> ready up!
> Lets test our speed with closing in quickly to slash her side with our scythe as we pass
>Neo
> blink
> "uh, Lucy?"
> "Didnt I say I wasn't going to guide you to hell?"
> "I dunno, that cut isnt pretty."
> "Im uh... Well, i don't particularly mind if you're a masochist or something, but I don't really plan on killing anyone here yet."
> Ready our scythe.
> "So maybe i can try near death, but nothing fatal..."
>"That. . .hmm, that knocked me off my step."
> Throw our scythe one way, so it arcs towards her, and go for a body check / tackle the other. We should cross paths with our boomerang scythe when we get to her.
>Neo
> Let the last thing this intruder sees be the stylish spin of our scythe, before we decapitate them!
> Wait Er, maybe just the shoulders, not the neck if we can redirect ourself!
> If we can't get up and regain some distance, summon some tiles ahead of us in defense
> "am I really that disappointing at first glance that you don't expect anything?"
> Stand back up and prepare ourselves...
> "Don't be too rough now. I'd like to get to Yuuka in one piece..."
> Ready those tiles to intercept an attack if one comes our way...
>Have the tiles move in so that we can jump on them
->When she attacks jump on the tile and use them to attack from unexpected angles
>Do we move faster jumping from tile to tile than flying?
> She did want to see our defense. Hold off on attacking yet. We should still be ready for such in case she wants a mix of them.
>Move to the left several feet
->Hastily glance to and fro for an idea of where our friend is.
> Ready ourselves and our scythe. We don't want another kick like that...
> Keep up for a block. Be wary of her movements in case she changes things up.
>Neo
//I'd say parry, but those wings could reduce the effectiveness of that.
> " Ugh... Sheesh. Are you trying to make me unfit to stand in front of Yuuka?"
> "Of course i can. If i couldn't, Yuuka wouldn't have had me there."
> Nod.
>Nod
> "She hasn't been home In a long time..."
> "She can definitely handle herself. I thought she'd return later."
>"I thought her business was taking longer than expected."
>"My coworker left to look for our mistress."
->Lean on our scythe and let out a sigh.
-->"Bless her heart."
> "Are you sure its not just your own expectations of people being low?"
> Poke her questioningly with the other end of our scythe.
> "Get your head in the right place. I mean thinking of people properly. Aren't you a bit of a selfish lady?"
> "So, now that i aced this test, how about we continue?"
> "I don't owe you anything! You said to come at you like an attempt at killing you. So its on you for requesting such."
> Pout
> "Hey, it has worth. Just don't make others accountable for collateral damage in things you ask that are likely to have it. Besides, how was I supposed to avoid messing up your clothes?"
>"True, but clothes are easier to repair. Plus I need a cute foil for my mature appearance."
> "How would I explain to Miss Yuuka what I did to this poor soul if your face is scratched up by my scythe?"
> "Right right."
> Continue on then!
> "Get rid of? At least say it in a more... acceptable way than that. Because I'm definitely not going to hack off your wings and throw my beloved scythe away."
> Demanifest our scythe.
> "Does that mean someone did hack them off before?"
> "Geez, what the heck? What if they didn't grow back? You were fine with that?"
> "Just... Don't act stupid in figuring out how to float..."
> "Stop trying to make me be in your debt, and maybe I'll give it a shot."
> "Hmph... Maybe."
>No, it could be
>Slowly descend towards the umbrella
> "I believe in you."
> Pursue that umbrella!
> Is it her?
>Double check it is her.
->It would be awkward if it isn't.
> " Excuse me..."
> "Mistr-"
> Wait, let's not make a fool of ourselves... Or embarrass her either.
> "...Is it truly you, Miss Yuuka?"
>_
>Neo
> "E-Elly. From Mugen-..."
> "Ah. To be forgotten like this..."
>"Surely, you jest. The mistress would not have forgotten her faithful gatekeeper so easily."
>"Ah,"
>Put our hand to our mouth
>"I apologize, I forgot myself when I saw your visage."
>"W-Well, how come you never notified us or anything about your leave?"
> "I would believe so! What about any guests that you'd be expecting? Disappearing like that without any notice... and for so long, too."
> "Why didn't you take us with you?"
>"Mistress, I only stayed as it was my duty and believed you would return soon."
> "I can't say it was too bad... This place does look nice. And you look-..."
> Glance down at our outfit.
> "Ah. I must look so dull and old fashioned now..."
> "Well... It's been a beautiful sight. The first few people I met haven't been bad company either."
> " Huh? Maybe. Did you get a secret admirer?"
>Who is Yuuka referring to?
> "I wouldn't say scarecrow, you know..."
>"I must say that speaking to another soul aside from Kurumi has been energizing enough that I would have made do with a stalker."
> "She didn't reach you first? I heard she broke someone's instrument. And she left home with a small note only saying that she will look for you."
>"I had hope that chance and and fortune would smile upon our reunion. Baring that, many long years would see the mistress and her faithful servant once more united."
> "O-Of course! Though, I wouldn't be able to stay forever immediately. Rather, I'd like to continue helping my recent companion search for who she's seeking out. If that's okay. Also, I heard from... Reimu, that Kurumi was last at some misty lake."
>"I would be honored to accept thy invitation mistress."
> "Wait, I-I meant at the moment, so after, I could rejoin you, mistress. Does that mean you don't want me anymore?!"
> "Ah. To be fired so indirectly... It must be because I'm too weak. To let those intruders get by me before... My life might as well be forfeit."
> Follow. Naturally.
> "I haven't grown as strong as I need to be though. Even with training... it's much better with a partner. And Kurumi bailed before I got enough of a chance."
> "Of course... I couldn't just spend all my lazing about. I mean, who would not train to get better after being beaten by intruders..."
> "No. It's just a matter of not letting such history repeat itself. I'm not going to seek them out to fight again like some form of payback. I just want to be better than the me I was before."
> "...No. I need to grow more. Im sure they grew, too. Id just be beaten again, even if i mastered my trump card. I need to go beyond that."
>"One gate closes. . . Mayhap I may yet reclaim my lost honor."
>"Mistress did thou leave thy servants because of the disgrace that was brought upon thee?"
> "Erm... What should be done about Kurumi? Ah! D-Dont tell me... You're thinking of abandoning everything of our past life and making a new one? I-I'll respect your decision if you are, but mistress..."
> "Eh?"
> Pause and do so.
> "...Mistress, if you don't mind... may we save a proper greeting for after we remedy this situation?"
>Do we have any idea why Lord Death might judge the land?
> "It's... very bad. What did this?"
>"Lord Death has judged the soil."
> "Hm... You awoke to this? Were things fine the previous night?"
> Examine the scene laid before us. Does this feel freshly made? Does it feel like death came progressively, or instantly, or how much inbetween?
>If the soil died and not the flowers
->"My mistress, I am but a naive stranger to this land. Dost thou knoweth of a soul willing to give thy land to Lord Death?"
> "At doesn't seem like this happened instantly, mistress. Do you suspect anyone?"
> "I feel as if things were simply let to rot. Something like months worth of ignoring it, despite only being few hours or even minutes. So it wasn't something like... Someone uprooting then replacing every plant."
> "Excuse me but really? A single suspect? With not only the intent to do such, but the means, too? If you could narrow it that much, why weren't you already investigating them?"
> "ah."
>Give our lady a nervous smile
->"I live to serve thee."
> "But if the culprit returns and repeats this..."
> "Well, it was a matter of properly saying it with my failures up to now... I see..."
>"Mmm, it smarts."
> "...Hm... So I'm not forced to follow your orders anymore? Well, I'd follow most of them anyways. It's just that now... You can't force me to not accompany you, whenever and wherever, now that I'm fired, correct?"
> Smirk and approach her.
> "At any rate, you being wronged in such a way is of course my business. I'll do whatever I can to help."