> " Well, Stargazer's form was pretty unique as it was not simply a giant imitation of a man-o-war among man-o-wars in the kelp, a at first glange looking like an odd and pulled apart version of it,but her spiritual shape seemed to need to take on a not-fully-comfortable form as she needs "anchoring " ; afterwards and "outside",the "anchor" was myself being as ghostly as possible,but that solution was incomplete, and now the complete one, restoring her original form, is this Yukari's Catcus ".
[/font]
> " As far as I have been "pulled under" and did some exploring and noticing : the sea environment and water-pressure are ordinary and the marine fauna is normal with normal reactions,however every time I was displaced and was in a furnished environment in Gensokyo... every kind of thing I had around myself in Gensokyo, from building to trees ,also popped around there... perfectly familiar AND reacting normally as if they really were suddenly submerged... except for one particular element ...".
> What element are we indeed talking about?
> Has anyone yet hypothesized consulting Keine about Stargazer?
>Ponder why the world around you suddenly seems to have shifted in a vague, undefinable way, as if it was the same and yet brand new
>Recap question: Have we done any discussion with Keine/otherwise figured out why Keine specifically? (That's what I get for not finishing my catchup read faster...)
>"I wonder if it wasn't some kind of adaption that Stargazer underwent?" Tojiko says.
>"Perhaps so," says Patchouli, "But it leads to the question of why she would need to adapt in the first place? As well, you say trees and buildings seemed normal? And what is this particular element?"
>_
/> Continue serenely but also quite focused: "... that element is the trees and only the trees: familiar and exceptionally adapted up to remain fine and fit in that " ocean bottom space " as if it are originally deep-marine AND planted there alongside the familiar and seemingly-displaced building... ".
> "... Whereas said buildings and their contents are adapted and familiar, yeah, but not as much since they still react as being suddenly displaced underwater... "
> "... and another Important Side of the Trees Element is that it is the only tie that is both Living&Natural&Familiar, especially rhe living bit, to Gensokyo..
> Trade knowing glances with Tojiko: " Eh quite remarkable and too coincidential that once I, Tojiko and Stargazer were close enough to a grove and before we chose to visit the Mansion and the Library again for This Research,Stargazer had been both struck and interested, even if with the usual fuzzy memories and
sensations of the past,with finding a tree that is particularly special and important to her since linked to the .."Gensokyo" she came from... ".
>Tojiko nods. "Yeah, something like that did happen."
>Patchouli nods and takes a couple more notes. "Interesting. Proceed."
>_
Lost your post there, mate.
// This one here , kindly please 8) //
> Be Kindly Perseverant as requested :" It may very well be " increasing affinities " and such at work as a " very conditioned trans-dimensional call,bridge,resonance,meeting place".
> " Mine could be the Submerged and Somehow Weary Structures of that ... Displaced Mirroring of the Human Village ... while Stargazer's could be the Trees topped with our Spiritual,Wandering,Gensokyo,Sea "Affinities" in turn acting as a bridge-in just at the moment when they actually meet face to face ... a bridge with Genoskyo and a Mirror of it built up as the more action has been taken and the More Acute Observing by the Unseen-Clergy-Deep-in-Waters and us two... ".
> "... In The "Spiritual Wandering" bit has a real chance about the why and how I and Stargazer kept being drawn there till we met up and managed the " now known aided get-aways " since we are sorta " Unbound Adaptable Spirits Still in Passage through Multiple Planes " .
>"There were trees," Patchouli says. "Was there grass?"
>"...I don't think so," Tojiko says, looking to you questioning. "You kept saying there was sea floor, right?"
>_
> Correct, double nod and moderate head-bow with a smile as" gratitude plus a smile ", firstly and tops to Tojiko but also to Patchouli: " Indeed it is THAT, that they are groundless YET Planted and Healthy with NO NATURAL FOUNDATION save for them natural marine stony or kelpy bed-rock in a mostly-natural marine environment".
> "Even more to the explainful and alerting point, in the middle of wrapping our comprehension around what is weird and convulted and what is not , Those Trees are Being Mirrored from Gensokyo and its Barriers, from Japan, from Our Earthly Plane&Dimension ... Recently, Unseenly and... CONVENIENTLY at a close-route and close-link bridging myself, Stargazer and more ".
>"I have no idea how to go about pursuing that," Patchouli says, "But it seems we've found something."
>_
> Kindly: " Glad that a sorta trail could be found in the picture I am trying to paint to you all about those depths and their rising troubles. "
> "And Please do not hesitate to ask if some or more parts are still far too murky ".
>"I think I've explored what I can right now," says Patchouli.
>_
> " At this point this should mean the fundamentals and references for This Research are settled since there is nothing else I could add,nothing new at least.."
>"...Well that is until I and Stargazer are "called down to another displacement" and also until Keine and Stargazer have met for good's sake ".
>"Try to keep an eye out for anything interesting the next time it happens," says Patchouli.
>_
> " I will , but is there any recommended particularity I should try to investigate before the others?"
>"There is no possible way I can answer that question," Patchouli says.
>_
> " I meant it as advising from your perspective about and if there are particular parts needing priority or complementing investigation over the others among what we now ,more or less,know and have researched ".
>"And I meant it as, "You are going into a wholly unknown situation. How am I supposed to know what to look for? Trees? I have no idea."
>_
> Nod with a thoughtful expression: " You insightfully are right, but even that " Trees " input could be a priority lead over the others, of course once it has been cleared out somehow with Stargazer and then with Keine and Stargazer...
> "... Oh and about Stargazer and Keine :
do you want me to ask or inquire anything specific to either or both or them you might even in mind regarding what we recently researched"?
>"Is there maybe like, a way that you could send something with me that could let you analyse the place or something. It might be easier than me trying to work out what the important parts of this new dimension or whatever it is are. I'm a sailor not a sorceror, this kind of thing isn't really my forte sorry. Though..."
>Did our experience navigating into Makai give us any insight into dimensional travel, or was that mostly Nazrin and Shou doing the heavy lifting?
>"It's the best idea I've got, and I'm willing to try anything at this point. Just tell me if you need me to fetch anything, I seem to be all over the place recently anyway."
>"Blessed by anyone in particular, or will any old blessing do?"
>What season is it?
>Are we familiar with the Aki sisters?
>"Alright, I'll see what I can find."
>Quests
>"I don't suppose you remember having any books specifically about man'o'war youkai?"
>"Well I guess for now I'll go get you that leaf and pay a visit to Keine."
>Is the SDM closer to Youkai Mountain or the Human Village?
>They are about the same distance apart, you would be making a triangle either way.
>_
> At equal choices,visting visiting Keine at the Human Village goes first.
> Before that, greet Meiling at the Gate, say that everything in the Mansion on-the-way and in the Library with Patchouli went rather well,that we are also coming back to find an item to receive another aid by her,then finally ask if Sakuya has come back and say goodbyes.
> Take off and look aroud if we can spot Sakuya while en-air-route to the Human VIllage or,BUT before reaching it or being visible from it say to Tojiko :" Wait,Tojiko, it is better that we find and descend in a lonely and as green-leafy as possible before closing in to the Human Village so we ,mainly I,can check if Stargazer while "in the Special Catctus" could "hear anything" and to inform her of Keine,meeting each other and the Tree-Finding" ?
> If agreed look and find such a place, descends into it,look to pick a Good Green Tree Leaf, check for it to be lonely and if so be ready to "ghostly awake" Stargazer.
>You make your way out. Passing by Meiling, she does not seem to have seen Sakuya at all.
>"Maybe we should speak with her first, yeah," says Tojiko.
>_
> " Glad we agree,now let's look&go for it,before being visible from the Human Village, search for a Green Tree Leaf and we should also be double-checking if it really is lonely to explain to Stargazer ".
> Look and find such a place,before reaching the visibility ofthe Human Village, oescends into it,look to pick a Good Green Tree Leaf, check for it to be lonely enough and if so be ready to "ghostly awake" Stargazer ".
>Travel far enough away from the SDM that we can be sure we're out of earshot and land somewhere secluded.
>Pull out the cactus.
>"Don't worry, it's safe to come out here."
>Make a sweeping gesture to reinforce the point.
>"We know of someone who looks a lot like how you look since you got to Gensokyo, only less see-through. I was thinking that if we take you to see her, she might know something."
>Wait and see how Stargazer reacts to this.
>"Her name is Keine Kamishirasawa, do you know of her?"
>"I'll take that as a yes. You don't have to appear before her if you don't want to but I'd at least like ask her if she knows anything about what's been happening to me."
>"Would you prefer if I don't tell her that you're travelling with me?"
>If it comes down to it, how good are we at fibbing?
>"Alright, I guess it's time to go mine her for answers then."
>Hold out the cactus for Stargazer.
>"You got some thoughts Tojiko?"
>Pocket the cactus.
>"Yeah, I get the impression that this isn't Stargazer's first time in Gensokyo. Hopefully this means Keine knows something."
>Take flight and head towards the Human Village.
>Do we know where Keine lives?
>Fly to the closest edge of town.
>Is it rude to fly into the Human Village?
>Land outside town, and walk to the schoolhouse.
>Make sure not to step on any children and make our way to the door of the schoolhouse.
>Knock on the door.
>Come in.
>"Yeah, we're focusing on our similarities rather our differences today. Which is to say I'm having some trouble that I think has to do with being a ghost, and it turns out that you of all people might know something about it. Is now a good time?"
>"I suppose so," says Keine, her frown not quite leaving. "I don't know what I can contribute to ghost-related problems, though."
>_
> " No contribution is small if there is true willingness to help,like here,results will follow".
> " At the very least we shall we able to counsel and alert each other against a troubling "history" I,and Thank Heaven only I so far,have recently and literally been pulled down making a forced temporary leave from Gensokyo ..."
>"Well, I suppose I should start at the start. This all started with me being randomly pulled into some parallel Gensokyo or something where everything is underwater. After a while I reappeared in Gensokyo, though a distance away from where I started equal to how far I'd moved while in this weird water world. Since then this has happened a few more times."
>Wait to see if she has any reaction to this part of the story.
>"But that's not the thing that I expected you to know anything about. You see, I met someone in that place, a being that calls herself something roughly meaning 'Stargazer'. When I met her there she looked like a man'o'war, but when she followed me back to Gensokyo she looked very much like an ethereal version of you. I don't suppose you'd know how she got there, or how I've been gotten there."
>Shrug.
>"News to me, but it still happened. So you might as well explain what you know."
>"Huh, that's odd. I definitely met the creature you're describing, and she definitely knew about Gensokyo, and you."
>"Well, to be honest, this Stargazer didn't really seem to want to meet you for some reason. She doesn't really use words so it was pretty hard to figure out why though."
>"Yeah, I could just kind of feel her thoughts and emotions when I was near her. You could feel it too right Tojiko?"
>Look to Tojiko.
>"I think it's becoming pretty clear that we're definitely talking about the same Stargazer, is there anything you can think of at all that there being two of her could mean? Or even anyone else who knew about Stargazer that might know what's going on?"
>When was the last time we visited the weird water world?
>"Utsuho? You mean Utsuho Reiuji the hell raven?"
>How well do we know and/or know about Utsuho?
>"Ah, from what I've heard she's not exactly the kind of person you'd seek sage advice from."
>"Well, even if her reputation is accurate she's still probably a better lead than anything else so far other than you. I'm at my wits end trying to work out what's going on here. For all I know I could be dragged off to this other dimension never to return at any point."
>Do we still feel the strange feeling that came along with being dragged off to the water world?
>The feeling of oddity is still there, though it has faded into the background noise of the day as you've gotten used to it.
>"Might I see this supposed Stargazer?" says Keine.
>_
> Well,she did communicate favouring not to encounter you or even tell you we were travelling together,and the same with everyone except for myself and then Tojiko,but since this is due to an honest necessity I could try asking here without forcing her."
> " Here - pocket out the Cactus and present it to Keine - she must stay and travel in here,in this Cactus Yukari has "Special Treated"and has gifted me for this very purpose".
> While I am contacting Stargazer to better explain the situation and ask her,could you tell me if you perceive anything from this one ?"
> Place our focus on the Stargazer-in-Cactus to communicate that it is truly due to an honest necessity that we revealed to Keine she is travelling with us and if she wants to reveal herself to her for the very same reason though without forcing her if she really does not want to .
>Don't do those things.
>"That's up to her. I could go ask her again, it wouldn't take long."
>"Do you mean what happened to Stargazer?"
>"Ok, I'll see what I can do. This shouldn't take long."
>Head towards the door, and walk outside if she allows us to leave.
>Look for a nearby alleyway or other secluded place out of eyesight of the public.
>If Shou's shop is nearby go there instead.
>Have a good look around to make sure that whoever did this isn't hiding somewhere around here.
>Looking around, you don't see anyone hidden there.
>_
>After we do all that, pull out the cactus.
>Wait for Stargazer to come out on her own.
>If she doesn't, give her a poke.
>Do we feel Stargazer's presence from the cactus?
>"It's safe to come out here."
>The cactus is definitely haunted.
>There is no response, but you get a vague sense of...willful disagreement?
>_
// "...stubborn... " :( ,"... willful disagreement ... " ;) //
> Express a pure feeling of innocent questioning about that willfull disagreement .
> Another pure feeling to humbly know if it is willing to reconsider appearing here for mutually honest helping?
> Lastly a pure feeling to know if sher distrusts these sorroundings to manifest and would prefer others but please which ones.
> If Stargazer feels like she could manifest yet the alley is insecure , to Tojiko : " If it is not too much to ask,seeing as this alley has seen activity and Stargazer feels insecurity around here, we should verify again if it is really deserted both by inconspicously checking a bit around these crates and the the rest of it ".
> Move around the crates and check the alley without our presences be alerting .
> If they are alerting,go back to Keine's without risking even the suspect of a scene in the human Village.
>"Blow me down, did I say too much to Keine?"
>You...don't think she really receives any of this. You may not be quite capable of the communication that she is.
>The feeling shifts to a brief sensation of uncertainty, before shifting back toward that sense of disagreeability.
>"Feels like a stubborn cat, if you ask me," says Tojiko.
>_
>"I'm sorry if I did, I really just can't afford to give up a potential lead right now with what's been going on. I won't force you to talk to her."
> At a quick check The alley really is deserted,right?
> To Tojiko : " A tad but perphaps a mysteryous young,but not newborn, fish both swimiing and being swept up in both known and unknown currents and identities is more correct to understand her feelings ?
> To Stargazer,of course with purely projecting our feelings in simply clear meaning :" I am sorry to have impulsively misunderstood ... for Keine is a honestly a savant historian in Gensokyo...Would it be positive to look for " That Tree ",with " A Good Leaf " in leading to it, or betteryet to get things clear - project all we know of the person to Stargazer - with Utsuho Reiuji ? "
>"You know Utsuho as well? Guess it really is a good idea to go visit her."
>Is the entrance to the Underworld near Youkai Mountain?
>"Oh? Where was that?"
>"With any luck she'll still be there, and I've heard about some leaf goddess that lives at the base of Youkai Mountain too. Heading over there could kill two birds with one stone. First though, Stargazer this is your last opportunity if you've decided that you really do want to talk to Keine. For what it's worth Byakuren always says that it's worth talking difficult things out rather than leaving them to fester unsaid."
>Look inquisitively at the cactus.
>"Wait, why didn't I think of that before! We should take you to Byakuren. She'd definitely have great advice for you!"
>Whoops.
>"I'm sure Miko can give decent advice, but does she have a calm, reassuring presence like Byakuren's that makes her perfect for hearing people's worries?"
>"I don't know if smug self-satisfaction counts as calm and reassuring."
>Now we've done it.
>"Nor does vapid empty-headedness," Tojiko says without missing a beat.
>_
> Alright,provocations and pettiness back and forth is going to be but an obstacle...
> Small head-bow to Tojiko and apologizing tone : " Sorry,I misspoke,provoked and got a bit carried away without ill-intent ".
> "Yes,when Stargazer opens up enough and there is still confusion to be cleared or insight to be pursued on her end,it is good that we can have her consult with both Miko and Byakuren for each their own benefits ,but right now her reassuring priority is meeting with Utsuho and then there is that lead of " Stargazer's Tree in Gensokyo ".
> " Telling Keine of this development comes first, though ".
> To Stargazer :" Then we shall do our best for you and Utsuho to meet,with thanks to Tojiko for knowing her last location,and hopefully to have most doubts cleared alongside helping you remember more about Gensokyo".
>"What am I doing, we shouldn't be fighting over this. Flog me, I fell back into bad habits, sorry."
>Tell the cactus "You'll just have to meet Byakuren some other time. What should I tell Keine? That she won't get to meet you?"
>"Well, is Keine going to hurt you?"
>"From what I've seen she doesn't strike me as the kind of person that would."
>"I'm sure I could get some kind of assurance from Keine that she won't say or do anything hurtful if that'd help? And if it comes down to it you could always retreat back to this cactus."
>Give the cactus an indicative poke.
>"Shall we give that a go then?"
>Give the cactus our best reassuring smile.
>There is a sensation of worry, or perhaps fretting?
>_
// 8) HAPPY HOLY EASTER ;D !!! //
> Say reassuringly : '' Rest assured that,by Keine's words,vague recollections and by others with myself included and Gensokyo's status,Utsuho,who we are going to visit next, helped resolving that "Collective Dream Incident " while helping and being helped by you, Stargazer,with Keine doing the Decisive Fixing".
> Proceed back to Keine,greet her and briefly explain Stargazer's initial reluctance&disagreement,then her finally being reassured and accepting,albeit timidly, to briefly interact with her.
>There's still a fair amount of fretting coming from the cactus.
>You return to the school, and quickly summarize Stargazer's feelings. Which...well, there's not too much you can say about in terms of why, only piecing together that she does seem to feel that way.
>Keine frowns. "...I don't understand why she would feel that way."
>_
> To Keine : " I can ask her right now but maybe it has to do with how bad things were in some aspects ,at the extent of the bits she can remember,in the Gensokyo she was kind-of forced to live in at the time "
> Hand on the cactus and calmly say to Stargazer : " We are wondering if all this freeting has to do with how things were back in the Gensokyo you knew without realizing that are now,since this is also for your peace of mind&soul,are back in good shape".
>Don't have over the cactus and add:
>"I think Stargazer would also like you to promise that you aren't going to do anything but talk? And try not to hurt her feelings."
>Allow Stargazer to initiate a discussion with Keine on her own, via leaving the cactus or otherwise.
>Give the cactus a stealthy thumbs up that it may or may not be able to perceive.
>Whisper "You can do it!" to Stargazer, preferably quiet enough that Keine can't hear.
>Allow them to converse uninterrupted for now.
>Look a bit surprised.
>Wait to see Keine's reaction.
>Look ponderous for a second.
>"I think Stargazer's trying to say that she doesn't want to be part of you, she wants to be her own person. Is that right Stargazer?"
>"If you've been able to do your duties just fine, I guess there's not a problem with that?"
>"I, uh, think she considers herself a whole person without you."
>"From what you've told me it sounds like she was. But at this point I think that's up to her to decide."
>Keine nods slow. "I suppose...that might be the case."
>_
> To Keine and Stargazer : " It could help to better understand each other if you try to mutually recall and explain the experience of being forcedly separated and especially the aftermath since somethings must have been innocently overlooked "
>"Alright, belay that then. If you two have anything else you want to say to each other you may as well lay it on the table now."
>Look back and forth between Stargazer and Keine.
>"Alright, thanks for hearing me out at least Keine. This turned into more of a thing that I think either of us thought it would."
>Hold out the cactus for Stargazer.
>"Have a good rest of your day, and if you ever need to get a message to me about this or something feel free to leave it with someone at the temple."
>Wave goodbye and walk outside.
>"I may do that," Keine says. "Please let me know if you learn more."
>You head outside. "Could have been worse," Tojiko says.
>_
> " It could help in explaining ourselvrs better during the next trip ".
> Is it improper to ask for a bit of funds at the Temple ,given the circumstamces?
> Who usually handle that?
> Are we able to take at least 1 or 2 Bottled Ships with us or are they too artistically frail?
>Return to the nearby alley.
>Double check to make sure that nobody's returned here since we left.
>Address the cactus: "So Stargazer, what do you want to do now? Do you still want to come with me to visit Utsuho?"
>"Alright, we'll plot a course her way now then. You should start thinking about what you're going to do from here on out though, if you're serious about being your own person you'll probably want somewhere to stay and stuff like that."
>"Alright, we'll plot a course her way now then. You should start thinking about what you're going to do from here on out though, if you're serious about being your own person you'll probably want somewhere to stay and stuff like that."
> What is our role in the Underground Clinic and which parts and folks Underground are we best or at least adequately acquainted with ?
> A series of trips should have some funds or some trading tools or other means,if just for repaying debts or favours .
> Item List
>"Alright, let's go see if we can find Utsuho."
>Pocket the cactus.
>Walk to the nearest edge of town.
>Did we forget to give Patchouli the hot sauce?
>The cactus stops radiating much of anything.
>In theory, your tasks at the clinic were to administer first aid and identify basic diseases so as to give them proper medicines. Realistically...you were running a place for hungover oni to come sleep it off and cleaning a lot of puke pails.
>Your inventory contains
>Nautical hat!
>It is jaunty!
>Nautical blouse
>Fit for a captain, thus fit for you.
>Nautical Dress
>It completes your outfit. You have shorts that look a lot like them, too.
>Black shoes.
>These have a bit of a ship's deck cobbled into the soles, so you can be more comfortable on land.
>Bottomless Dipper
>This dipper has no bottom. When you just can't resist the urge to flood a ship, this will buy some time.
>Anchor
>It's not that heavy; they stop ships by grabbing onto the bottom. If they did it by weight, they'd sink the ship!
> Capsize "Dragging Anchor"
>Toss an anchor, leave a trail of water.
>Drowning Sign "Deep Vortex" (Used)
>Water droplet danmaku swirls around your opponent
>Harbor Sign "Phantom Ship Harbor"
>Lots of anchors!
>Phantom "Dipper Creeping Close"
>You embrace your ghostly aspect with this survival card.
>Ghost Journal
>This seems to be written by a ghost from the outside world? Is this possible?
>Potted Cactus
>You’ve never seen a plant that looks like a tiny ball with thorns before. It seems to be very tough-looking, and covered with odd wispy fuzz. Stargazer is currently possessing it.
>Square Glass Bottle
>This is a square-shaped bottle made of glass. It is curiously warm to the touch
>Bottle of Red Sauce
> Marked as Whispering Oni sauce, it promises a slow, mild heat.
>_
> Alrighty ! Mental Note : put to good use ,directly OR indirectly ,the "Ghost Journal" who we have read once but not insightfully; the "Strangely Warm Square Glass Bottle"; the " Bottle of Red Sauce - Whispering Oni Sauce ".
> Particularly that " Square Bottle "with its specialty in being " Warm-to-Touch " and indicated as Special by Nazrin ( Special Dowser).... have it examined and explained by Expert Magicians or by "Other Possible Experts".
> Our Spellcard " Drowning Sign "Deep Vortex" is "Used" but at what extent?
> Another Mental Note : " Nazrindou " is for trading,some info and some news,and there is still 1 of our Spellcard present there;we want it back sooner or later even by tracking down its eventually new owner and working out a deal.
> Final One :the " Bottle of Red Oni Sauce " has more potential uses in taking it with us also because Patchouli is more interested in the New Research&Knowledge we are yielding her ( an Unknown Unseen Clergy Unknown AND Interested in Gensokyo ).
> Did we pass by anything interesting on the way to the Edge to the Human Village?
> Fly to Youkai Mountain keeping pace with Tojiko,be attentive en-sky-route ,land at the first grove we find and start going through it by flying more slowly.
> To Tojiko :" On the way to be looking and asking for Utsuho around Kappa Town,maybe even University,and Beyond,or more likely Below,let's see if we can find or make a contact with Shizuah for that Leaf in Good Conditions ,though a Green One is best even if rare in Autumn,and of course useful info".
> Watch out for Shizuah or Minoriko and an Intact Green Leaf on our way to look for Utsuho.
>"Still worth a shot, I haven't heard of these gods sending out shrine maidens on the warpath or anything like that at least."
>Continue flying low towards the Kappa village, but stop the next time we see someone below us.
>"Alright Tojiko, where'd you see her?"
>Allow Tojiko to lead us to the general vicinity of where Utsuho was.
>Approach the university and accost the first kappa we find.
>"Have you seen a hell raven around here?"
>"Great, could you point me in that general direction?"
>"Alright, thanks."
>Start looking around the university grounds for Utsuho.
>Approach and observe first to see what she's up to.
>"Yo Okuu, it's ya girl soggy poltergeist."
>While trying to avoid startling her open with: "Is that you Utsuho?"
>"Normally I wouldn't, but we actually came here looking for you."
>"Do you know of somewhere private nearby? I've got something to show you and it's probably best if other people don't see."
>"A room should be fine."
>Allow Utsuho to lead us to a room if she's so inclined.
>Give the wall scrolls a second look
>"Yeah this should work, I've got someone with me who I think might be an old friend of yours, no not Tojiko, and the privacy is for her sake."
>Pull out the cactus and see if Stargazer extricates herself.
>"Uh, no, it's not the cactus. You can come out now Stargazer."
>"Yeah it's quite the tale that brought her here, and I'd like to ask you some questions about what you know about her. But I'll let you two catch with each other first."
>Let them continue.
>Utsuho looks over toward you. "You have to tell me everything. Does Keine know?"
>_
> Nod with a thoughtful expression and give Utsuho enough pause during each part : " Yes,Keine knows it as well since we three come here after both Stargazer and Keine have been made to met ..."
> "...she was surprised as you are,she confirmed that she is whole and she is having no issue since merging back with her Hakutaku side but,despite tht, Stargazer has been her own person for an undetermined amount of time and fully means to remain so..."
> "... although maybe the Island you mentioned could be related,since myself and Stargazer did meet ,and this is going to take a tad more bracing and explanation , not in Gensokyo or close to it...
" ...but in another dimension where I am being periodically being displaced ,since this morning,by Mysterious Otherwordly Being ,broadly known as "Unseen Clergy",who is forcefully exerting is influence from there to Gensokyo which resulted in catching Stargazer first and very eecently myself".
> Gesture to both Tojiko and Stargazer : " Ceratinly Tojiko,who has kindly decided to accompanying and helping me during this one,and Stargazer can confirm it firsthand in their own perspesctive and experience as well".
>"Would you mind telling me what your experience with Stargazer is and what you know about her? I'm really worried about this weird water dimension I keep getting dragged off to, and I'd like to work out what's going on soon in case there's a possibility I could get stuck there."
>"Part of Keine?"
>"If you don't mind me asking, where did you find her?"
>"She was in a tree," says Utsuho. "A long was off from about everything."
>_
>"Huh, I feel like she was trying to tell me something about a tree earlier. Where was this tree?"
> " In fact after we encountered each other a few times down there underwater ,though she had to adapt in a "Marine" Form, several Healthy Trees appeared...underwater".
> To Stargazer : " By the way,Stargazer,do you happen to know how you came to be in that place and in that state ? Were you pulled away from somewhere and had to adapt or you found yourself right there,right that ?"
> What were the trees like in there and where there any oddity about them ?
>"It doesn't exist anymore, I'm pretty sure," says Utsuho.
>"A...marine form?" says the Hell Raven, frowning.
>Stargazer looks to you, and she shakes her head. At the same time, she radiates a feeling of isolation and confusion, you can feels he means that as part of her answer.
>The trees seemed exactly like trees you'd find anywhere in Gensokyo. Perfectly normal, except that they were underwater without any apparent issue. While it's possible there's an oddity that you overlooked, nothing about them gave you any reason to suspect so.
>_
> To Stargazer,gratefully : " Every bit of help like this counts ".
> To Utsuho,thoughtfully :" Before she tried and had success in "taking residence"in this Special Cactus , courtesy of Yukari once I sought out her help and she understood it was not a nasty haunting spirit , which enabled her a travel of relief in Gensokyo, Stargazer was in the shape of a Ghostly Giant Man-o-War among other normals man-o-wars,not present in Gensokyo since they are sea-related ".
>"The place seemed like Gensokyo if it was at the bottom of the ocean, so maybe that had something to do with it."
>There weren't right?
>"Just normal fish as far as I can remember, as far as normal can be applied to that place I guess."
>You don't recall any of the fish being unusual.
>"I suppose," says Utsuho. "It's really weird someplace like that would have living things."
>_
> " Everything there is normally in its place at that Sea-Ocean-Bottom as created in nature,apart from Stargazer,myself,those mirroring of deserted buildings from wherever I am displaced from in Gensokyo andof course that Very Invisible Presence of Casual Gazing coming by the Unseen Clergy... but the weirdest,most important and truly alarming bits bits are ..."
> Frown : " ...that the Unseen Clergy is actually operating from WITHIN the Great Hakurei Barrier, a revealation by a check&analysis by Yukari,and all these dimensional displacements pulling me periodically under are actually happening in the same Barrier not Inside nor Outside Gensokyo,a confirmed research by Patchouli.".
>How sure about the Unseen Clergy being responsible was Patchouli?
>"Sorry, I just figure if we can work out how Stargazer got there, maybe we can work out how I have been as well?"
>"Time or history? What makes you say that?"
>She seemed to believe it strongly at first, but you think she has doubts now.
>"I guess that makes sense," Utsuho says. "Can't say I know much about it. I'll just throw this out there, you don't think like maybe time or history went nuts, do you? I guess you could ask a god about that..."
>_
> "Good,who would you suggest we turn to that would have experience and at the same time keep it discreet ,not for myself or how I end up there,but for Stargazer's manifesting? "
> " Oh,on the side,this also reminds me that we could use help in finding a Green Tree Leaf in Good Condition because that is what Patchouli offered to enchant to help us along ".
>"I dunno," says Utsuho. "Any god that's not too chatty?"> Fistpalm with small smile :" Ahahah,rightyand... Bamboo Forest Good or the Near Forest and groives Foliage could work unless I am glossing over a requirement by Patchouli ? And you ,Utsuho,have you seen or picked about her or her activity,intended more or less recently,or even about her sister Minoriko or the Aki Sisters?
>"I guess you'll want to go somewhere where the autumn goddess hasn't been. She's been painting up a storm lately."
>_
> Fistpalm with small smile :" Ahahah,rightyand... Bamboo Forest Good or the Near Forest and groives Foliage could work unless I am glossing over a requirement by Patchouli ? And you ,Utsuho,have you seen or picked about her or her activity,intended more or less recently,or even about her sister Minoriko or the Aki Sisters?
> Quests
> To Stargazer after response :" Hey,Stargazer,have any of those names and attributes helping again in helping along bits more of your memories or feels or familiarity?"
> Not for a green leaf to be enchanted...but we do recall our way and the rough placement of a small shrine near the back of a Butcher's Shop in the Human Villagededicated Matarajin ( Okina Matara ) in the Human Village for possible contacts with her ,is it correct ?
> How are we on a perosnal and the Myourenji on terms,good acquantainces at least, bo with that Villlager's Butcher's Shop?
>"Actually, seeing as you seem to be better at understanding Stargazer than I am, would you mind interpreting a few things for me Utsuho?"
>"Stargazer, what was the last thing you remember before ending up in that watery place I found you?"
>She radiates a sense of contemplation. Then there is a sense of being lost and isolated.
>_
> To Stargazer : " Did you not met or "sense" anyone else fully intelligent apart from myself and that... Unseen Gazing Presence ?"
> Then Look to Utsuho in askance for "interpretaion".
>She shakes her head, but she also radiates a sense of...not quite certainty.
>"She doesn't think so, but she's not sure, I think," says Utsuho.
>_
// At the end of this,we should ask Utsuho if she wants a favor or similar to us for the help she is giving us and Stargazer //
> Make a mental note to inquiry in the Kappa Town and the lower-half of Youkai Mountain Village for Shizuha or Minoriko,otherwise we could have to go all the way to the Morya Shrine...if one or both of their location or most recent activity is not already up there .
> Nod understandly:" More things to explore or gets clues from whener we both,or just myself if stargazer is safely anchored here..."
> To Stargazer :" When you realized you were down in those waters , was it already so full of marine life or was it filled over time?"
>Stargazer ponders, radiating uncertainty. Then she gives a feeling that she can't decide.
>"It might be both?" says Utsuho.
>"Or neither," says Tojiko.
>_
> " What was your first interaction with the Unseen Clergy,how were you aware if they were so...formless ?"
>Stargazer only radiates confusion.
>"I don't think anyone here actually knows what that is, if you want me to be honest," says Utsuho.
>_
> Serenely :" Understandable : I was referring to that Formless Unseen Gazing Presence I have perceveid just during my earliest...voyage...which started was already aware of and even surprised I did not notice before but at the time I was more focused on a way to make a solid getaway for Stargazer and non just myself from "down" there ".
>"Oh, okay, I think I get it," says Utsuho
>Stargazer confusion lessens, and it gives way to a sense of permanence.
>"I guess it was always there?" Utsuho says.
>_
>To Stargazer: " So it started casually gazing you from your early entrance,you could always more of less perceive it ...
> ...anything that broke that trend or seemed uncommon in that casual gazing behavior ?"
> "How did you feel to be gazed upon by it ".
> Recall how did we feel and confront it with Stargazer's.
>She shakes her head to your first question.
>At your second question, she radiates a sense of unease, then it changes to a sense of no longer paying attention.
>How did you feel when you noticed it?
>_
// Be very kindly welcomed as guests ( playeers :D ) if anyone wants to question,inquire,verify,brainstorm,etc. while we are still here as "3+ Utsuho"//
> To Stargazer : " What do you reckon regarding those Tree and Buildings which have started their appearance in Them Waters There ?"
> Pause : " Any feelings ,recollection, linking or some such with those here in Gensokyo, as far as the 2 times you travelled with me ?"
>"Stargazer, after this do you want to stay with Utsuho or continue with me and try and work out what's going on here?"
>There is a sense of frustration, and not quite recalling any. She is upset by that,
>She pauses, radiating uncertainty.
>_
> To Stargazer : " If yourself or Utsuho notice or have in mind ,after keeping each other up todate,anything shady or unresolved or particularly interesting we could try to look into it as well would be at least marginally related with the current joint-issue we are trying to tackle "
> Look to Utsuho as well
>"Hmm, okay. I don't suppose you'd know where I could find the leaf goddess that lives around these parts?"
>Utsuho shrugs, her wings rising up as well as her shoulders. "I didn't know anything weird was going on until you guys came here and showed me Stargazer."
>_
>"Well, you can find her along the lower parts of the mountain," Utsuho says. "But she and her sister kind of have to want to be found. And given this is her busy time of year, well, you might not have much luck?"
>_
> " Eh,more than understandable,even if it is Affecting Gensoukyo it is doing so on a Fairly Early Start and on the Unseen&Ghostly side of things so far...and we aim for it to worsen as little as possible and warn as helpfully as possible".
> " Autumn is the Akis main season to shine and at top activity,but seeing as our main deal with them is a Blessed Leaf we should have to move all the way to the Moriya Shrine and ask either Kanako or Suwako,although we shall also keep looking for clues for the Akis en-route ".
> " So anything particular or any recommendations for the Moriya Shrine and Tengu Territory nowadays ? "
> Any useful experience in that respect.
// At this point it is better to proceed as my command suggests, seeking additional insights during it ,give more warnings,etc. //
>Yukari and Okina Matara said they'd contact us when they wanted to right?
>How close is Mayohiga to youkai mountain?
>They did.
>It's not terribly far away, though it is worryingly north of it. You'd probably have to look around a bit to find it, but you recall some landmarks that should help.
>_
> Realization look: " Sorry if this comes out of the blue,but it could still be of a non-meager help,have you seen Sakuya,the Head Maid from the Mansion around here or heard of here coming in this zone? "
>"I don't think I've seen any maids," says Utsuho. "But I've been here all day."
>_
> Nod with understanding :" I could be mistaken since I rarely come up here or receive news from here, but " full days " sounds like the University and the Town are having their fairs share of Autumn Projects or Activities... ? ".
>"Yep, things are always busy here at the university, and there's going to be fall celebrations everywhere."
>_
> Fall Festivities are aplenty...What do we konw or know someone or someplace in the know ?
> Look and speak kindly to both Utsuho and Stargazer while winking : " We do not want to "sink" all the time for a reunion of two formerly-lost friends without them catching up more than enough with each other,of course until it is time to go back to our own pursuits "
>The tengu are the highlight of autumn events, but you know the kappa have their own events closer to the end of the season. You imagine you could ask most residents of youkai mountain.
>"If you're wanting to move on, that's fine," says Utsuho.
>Stargazer feels indecisive again, you are certain she's trying to decide whether she stays or goes.
>_
> To Stargazer a bit forlorn: " Stargazer,it would be nice if we could leave but the matter of that Formless Gazer and the Displacements are still happenig so we have to stick & work together,both in Gensokyo but also because we are the only ones who are pulled down to that Ocean Bottom Dimension and especially the more we do so the more quickly and certainly you could settle establish in Gensokyo and reunite with your friend ...
> Cheering up and also looking to Utsuho " ...But of course we could be making visits to Utsuho if there is an occasion or if you feel the need &,and there is possibility on all our ends and,especially, this is also ".
> Unless Stargazer objects or wants a clearer explanation or some-such,say our goodbyes and thanks to Utsuho for all her time,wish best luck for her own endeavors and the University's, take Cactus-Stargazer,after her goodbys to Utsuho as well, and let the 3 exit the University Building and be heading for about the and head for the center of Kappa Town.
> Of course stop or make a deviation if we catch glimpes or hear about of 1 or both the Aki Sisters or any particular hustle & bustle
>There is a sense of acknowledgement from Stargazer, and she slips back into her Cactus.
>"Once it's all said and done, we'll figure out things in the long term, alright?" says Utsuho.
>You make your way toward the center of the kappa town. It's a bit less active than the markets, and there's little to designate it as a town center at all; just some nice rocks for sitting on, and some cattail patches that have been placed to look reasonably natural at a glance. There are a few kappa here; you note one is quickly taking her leave as you and Tojiko approach. Not surprising for a kappa.
>_
> If the other kappas are standing their ground ,politely approach them and when near or if they turn to face us politely greet them .
>You approach a kappa sitting on one of the rocks, notable for having dyed her hair blonde. She is giving your a suspicious look as you do. "Yes?"
>_
> Polite,placid,aware look : " Hello there,and thanks for your time,we 2 were wondering if you or anyone in your know has seen or heard recently of both or even just 1 of the Aki Sisters or their main places of activities... it is for a Divine Blessing for Plants ,even though it is Prime & Wide Activity for them in Fall,either by them or ,if they are more available,another compatible god ".
>"...I don't go down the mountain," she says at leangth.
>_
> " Well, that confirms they really are off-mountain ".
> " Then,would you know if the ropeway to the Moriya Shrine,since that is going to our alternate stop , is operative or if the fly-by path is usually clear to go up ? "
>"Well, not really," the kappa says, "I don't go down into the woods."
>"It should be working," says the kappa, "But you'd have to go down the mountain to reach the station"
>_
>
> "Can the the cable of the ropeway be seen if we take fly from around here among other tellsigns or would the woods get in the way of those and the proper directions ?"
>"I suppose so," she says. "But you'll get in trouble with the shrine if you mess with it."
>_
> " Nothing that wasteful in the least , it would be just a guidepost of sorts to the Ropeway Station and the Moriya Shrine "
> Smile : " Thanks for your time and indications,miss...?
> When she replies ,even if she prefers to stay anonymous,give her our name specifying we are from the Myouren Temple ,then turn to Tojiko and make a small introduction gesture for her to present herself.
>"Miori," the bleach-haired Kappa says.
>Tojiko gives a small bow as you introduce her.
>_
> Serenely, interested relieved ,truly genuine overall,not nosy nor hammy nor suspicious "chatterboxy" :
"Very Glad that we have made your acquaintance and talkMiori, and if we may,oh, impose a bit more of your patience and open-endedness...
> ":"...any news or insights or the like about Hina Kagiyama,since she is among the other gods of and from Youkai Mountain and ,just maybe,other " blessful "not-so-notable-divines but ,hey, less "popular could not always equal lesser existences ".
> Our History News,hearsay,encounters with Hina Kagiyama and other Divine, Blessings,Divinely-related,God-like existences,their Envoys,even among their opposites if kind of mirroring references to the above mentioned, ex up to the present ?
>The kappa shrugs. "Sometimes she appears around the edge of the forest, dancing and stuff. I try to keep away there."
>You've had brief encounters with Hina; they were pleasant, but hardly enough you'd expect her to know your name or face on sight.
>_
> " I see,then we will be off, and thanks again for your time and help "
> After waving our goodbyes to Miori,fly to edge of Kappa Village facing the Lower Youkai Mountain.
> Stop there and fly higher to look around for the Ropeway's Cable and ,once found ,follow it down descend it until we reach and land by the Ropeway Station.
> While flying down,keep our senses alert for any sign of the gods we are searching for or if we come across any peculiar event and ,if positive, stop and assess.
As a note, Hina is not considered a deity in the canon of Z Machine. Her status was uncertain back in the day (I feel it is still uncertain), and Imma stick to it. This said, she does deliver up misfortune to the gods.
>You leave the kappa village behind, and make your way down toward the ropeway station. Along the way, you catch a glimpse of a green-haired woman through the gnarled trees that make up the upper reaches of the forests girdling Youkai Mountain.
>_
// Mmmh,I see : so in this case is Hina viewed as " some sort of God-related Misfortune-gathering Youkai ( maybe an Intermediatrix to the gods by delivering the Stockpiled Misfortune to be "Purified"?)" and does that mean that the PoV and consideration about her by the Human Villagersin " Quests A-Z " is close to that Symposium of post Mysticism ? //
> To Tojiko,gesturing to Hina and tracking :" Well then, e happened upon a fairly important detour-in-person ,so shall we go and greet her and see if she any particular info or maybe even unexpected pointers about my and Stargazer's,so far, if Misfortune or somesuch is involved ?
> If Tojiko has no objection,go for that "grove" in order to reach Hina while politely greeting,and with a voice loud enough but not exaggerated, greeting and asking we 2 want a a little meeting with to make her aware of our intentions ,but wait if she makes some sign to do that.
A bit less "Keep away from her, she is radioactive!" but essentially yes. Youkai have traditionally be more daring about it.// :spell: Aaah, most understandable in an adapted way //
>"Yeah, if anyone knows where to find a god..." says Tojiko.
>You descend and greet Hina. "Ah, hello there," Hina says, continuing to prance and twirl.
>_
// :spell: Aaah, most understandable in an adapted way //
> To Tojiko,relieved : " Hina Kagiyama sure is , no matter generic or human blow-ups "
> Wave,be thankful,and once arrived,follow her and do a small bow : " Hello again , Hina, we 2 , that is I Minamitsu and my new helpful friend here Soga no Tojiko's, we are very glad&thankful to be finding you...
>... Pause for eventual greetings or exchanges between of our 2 "guests"...
>...Commence again: " ...especially regarding important matters... and be at peace that I am and we are going to be more explaining,clearer and so the facts and pace more understandable and supportive... "
> "... them matters being Help Finding a God for a Blessing of a Leaf and a Check-Up for Possible Misfortunes of mine ,all for good sake of... :spell: Investigation & Resolving of a Strange Incident-in-Brewing in Secret ."
> Any "felt reactions"by "Stargazer-in-Cactus "?
>Stargazer is quiet. If she knows Hina is there, she is not reaction.
>You descend and introduce yourself. "Hello," is all Hina says, not ceasing her dance.
>"I do not follow," she says after you explain. "You don't seem particularly unfortunate today..."
>_
> " Well,good and thankful to know, it was in fact a Possibility,unless there's still maybe some to be around myself to delivered to you up for Gods-Delivery ?"
Pause :"Anyhow the truly important part, a is the God-Seeking,like the Shizua or Minoriko Aki or blessful like you could well be acquainted,Hina
>"Oh, you won't find those two unless they want to be found," says Hina. "They're very busy right now."
>_
> " Well understandable since Autumn is their time to shine and we are at the apex of it ".
> " However,would it be possible for you to direct us to another Recommended and Available Deity for Blessings for Leaves,Plants,Nature?"
>"Does it matter what kind of leaf?" says Hina, as she begins to dance around the two of you. "I am sure Lady Suwako could give you a lily pad."
>_
Sorry, I'm going to need you to pare that one down.
> Look earnestly & consciously between Tojiko ,"Spiky-Planted Stargazer " and Hina.
>Nod and Assent impressed :"A Blessed Lily Pad should do well,or any leaf-type but a Green One is Best,since that is the Required Ingredient for that sorta of "Blessed-Magical Specific Compass by Patchouli " .
> "So,is Lady Suwako confirmed to be reachable & are available as it sounds at a Spot at The Moriya Shrine Grounds"?
>"She doesn't leave very often, to my understanding," says Hina.
>_
//[Tentative EDITED+REVIEWED Up-Above] (Even more tenative Tentative explanation+insight,even taken-in by parts and not complete to the last lines) Mo , My Intention and Approach ( Player-Side(s)&Player&Users-Expressions) is simply and reflectively lays&keeps laying to avoid burdening,and also regarding to "Real Risk" unclear+wall-textinga bout over-writing over-decompressing" without any bummer or brain-wrecking meant or left to lay-about....
[quote autho
> " Alrighty if nothing stopping a small group us to fly-by at safe&reasonable distance,or even more distanced, from the Cable of the Ropeway Station up to the Moriya Shrine , not going to raise more than,reckonnig, we are still Off-Youkai Mountaineers contained surprises,questions and clearances ."
> "Especially alrighty if our Misfortune is a-okay and cannot be smooth-sailed down further without...mayhaps...no real alerts & intruder-seeking about A special pair Ghostly Spirital Youkai,the heart of the matter for an un-obstructing but not shady-seeming of the Best Moriya Shrine's Route Route Group of Tengu Border Patrols or Mixed Tengu Group,possibly up to of the Moriya Shrine or duringBack-Trek...particularly if an Human-Filled,Cable-Guided accidentaly is miosunderstood to turn into our Point-Of-Direction&Interst
>...surely we are not glossing over not forgetting and them the Tengu&Guests Fall Celebrations in case it is All their Territory ; we are slight familiar only by Mercy of Closer Acquaintances,yet Non-Tengu Festive, such as first Utsuho and second a Kappa miss by Miyo the Kappa Villager miss ?
> Float Higher&Parallel to the Least Thick Thicket of Trees still within Hina'sconfirmation,but float little and more measured unless Hina she is unsure or meaningbe surer Misfortune-Wise, to look & point-out positioning for the Cable-Car and Potential-Flier Escort around here ,and.... Special Attention what would be Akin to Steeper Points , Clearer-View Points,Unclearer ones in Transit.
>"Good luck," says Hina. "I'm sure it will be fine."
>_
> Smile and wave her goodbye :" Good luck with your endeavors as well ".
> Keep flying in the area to locate the Cable of the Ropeway and ,once found,see if the Station is coming or if there is anyone flying upwards along the mountainside it would travel across.
>You make your way toward the ropeway station.
>It stands out pretty strongly, a building at the base of the forest built around a pole. It is kind of unattractive-looking, but you think you can understand the basic concept of it well enough; it carries boxes with seats along the ropes suspended from the poles. How it all moves, you have no idea.
>It seems to be empty at the moment, there is a car descending the ropeway and should be there in a couple minutes. You don't see anyone flying along the line at the moment.
>_
> Say to Tojiko while we both look for the Booth or,if it is absent,Kappa Operators,then approach :'' If it is that operating that quietly and inconspicuouly anc none is flying close to it,it should be better to ride it normally rather than to risk standing out and Tengu getting patrol-blocked for seemingly-ambiguous or worse approach,althought in this case there is the issue of the eventual fee..."
> " ...I wonder if the Kappa here accept payment it in barter or in favours? ''
>Tojiko shrugs. "It looks a lot slower than flying. I don't think I've heard anything about fees, though?"
>_
> Keep Approaching the waiting&landing area,wait-in ,observe,listen,take note of what and who is and might be standing-out among any booths,stall,general activity on ground and sky.
> Point out our purpose,activities and finding to Tojiko while hearing her out
> Afterwards reply more thoroughly expressing understanding with some relief and focus tone&expression ,some cheerfulness :" Right you are,Tojiko,with thanks for a full rreminder that Fees bere are a non-eventuality and so non-worry and non-delaying leaving only some donation or offering for Suwako's Blessed Lily Pad".
> Item.Check
> Mental Memos again: Asking Byakuren for Necessary Funds from the Communal Funds ; Check-in "Nazrindou" for Chancea of Good Item Trades encompassing the Trading-Back of our Spellcard.
>Continue :"...And Right you are again about the Ropeway Travel-Wagon: seems and is actually lots slower than Flying-By in exchange of more ground-stability and safety for human villagers and human travelers , but also those who like us may mostly briefly ,as long as kept on that,afford :"a positive viable route ,especially for blending-in and unimpeded arrival but also for a newer way scenic sight-seeing,mental mapping ,resting..."
> "...And Surely that is going to be Mostly-Brief because,as you wisely discerned it would be the.slowest to an otherwise Reasonable Fly-By ..."
>" ...So We better,unless we encounter or are encountered with troubling snags, Get Rope-Wagon Carried ONLY for the Arrival Up and the About to Disembark ".
>There are a couple of empty stands, but none that are open or staffed by anyone right now. You suspect they probably are only bothered with when people expect a decent crowd.
>Your inventory contains
>Nautical hat!
>It is jaunty!
>Nautical blouse
>Fit for a captain, thus fit for you.
>Nautical Dress
>It completes your outfit. You have shorts that look a lot like them, too.
>Black shoes.
>These have a bit of a ship's deck cobbled into the soles, so you can be more comfortable on land.
>Bottomless Dipper
>This dipper has no bottom. When you just can't resist the urge to flood a ship, this will buy some time.
>Anchor
>It's not that heavy; they stop ships by grabbing onto the bottom. If they did it by weight, they'd sink the ship!
> Capsize "Dragging Anchor"
>Toss an anchor, leave a trail of water.
>Drowning Sign "Deep Vortex" (Used)
>Water droplet danmaku swirls around your opponent
>Harbor Sign "Phantom Ship Harbor"
>Lots of anchors!
>Phantom "Dipper Creeping Close"
>You embrace your ghostly aspect with this survival card.
>Ghost Journal
>This seems to be written by a ghost from the outside world? Is this possible?
>Potted Cactus
>You’ve never seen a plant that looks like a tiny ball with thorns before. It seems to be very tough-looking, and covered with odd wispy fuzz. Stargazer is currently possessing it.
>Square Glass Bottle
>This is a square-shaped bottle made of glass. It is curiously warm to the touch
>Bottle of Red Sauce
> Marked as Whispering Oni sauce, it promises a slow, mild heat.
>"Sure, we can ride it, if you want to," says Tojiko.
>_
> "Then again,while we are about to enter it,,there should be a very few someones,other signs of presence in these Sorrounds....orjust my perception-angle from here?"
> None or nothing which might be notable?
> Hop int it when the "Rope-Wagon",last lookies while at it.[/font][/size]
>"I think we have it to ourselves," Tojiko says. "I guess it isn't surprising, it's deep into harvest season, and it's not a particularly important day or anything. People have other things to do right now."
>The ropeway car descends, and the two of you board it as makes its way around the station. The car is a simple, undecorated thing with a couple rows of seats inside it, currently empty. Tojiko makes herself comfortable on one of the seats in the middle.
>_
> Unless she objects take a seat next to Tojiko.
> Look at which windows are the best the to look scenery when the ropeway-car starts going up.
> Look at the scenery and point out to Tojiko if we see a beautiful or unusual sight.
> " Really seems so,in fact it makes me more than a bit curios to ask questions to her,or give answers,once Stargazer has finished her "sightseeing".
> Wait for a bit for Stargazer to peer hear head around then get closer to Stargazer but not that much to risk bothering her.
> What "sensations" is she radiating? Perphaps curiosity,questions or answer-seeker?
>Right now, Stargazer seems generally curious, and kind of excited. You don't think any one thing has gotten her attention.
> Wait if anything in particular catches Stargazer's attention then,if not,go back to the seat beside Tojiko.
>It doesn't seem like she's particularly caught by anything other that the view.
>You have a seat beside Tojiko. "She's not about to jump out, is she?"
>_
> Placidly ": Only jumping out as far as her Anchoring Cactus since she seems generally curious of the View of Youkai Mountain from above".
> Call out to Stargazer" Stargazer, if you find and are wondering about anything particularly peculiar or interesting you can try asking myself or Tojiko or both of us and we'll do our best to answer your " curiosity".
> After Acknowledgment : " For example this is a sort-of a Mechanical Flying Wagon by Rope and once it starts it moving upwards ,it is best to take a seat,or your Special Catcus Seat by your choice,to avoid tripping".
>Stargazer pulls her head back in and glances at you, then looks back out the window. You get the feeling she largely understands what is happening.
>_
> While waiting for the Cable Car to lift off,take out the " Journal by an Outside World's Ghost".
> If there is any part we did not yet read or just skimmed or was unclear the last time read,examine it or them.
(Sorry, it's been way too danged hot)
>The car is already in motion, but you do have some time.
>You take the time to read the book a little. It seems to be a recollection of a ghost haunting a place in the outside world. It is a bit difficult to read, you don't have a point of reference for the lot of the things that it talks about, like apartment buildings (is that like a row of houses? Do they have multiple floors?) or traffic (you don't even know, here). This ghost, by the name of Hayasaka, seems to be something of a prankster, messing with people living in this "apartment complex" in a variety of ways, many of which you have no frame of reference for. Something about the writing seems fishy, though. If this is a journal, it is kind of weirdly written.
>_
> While thinking about it take a look at how Tojiko and Stargazer are doing and at what point of Youkai Mountain are we at...
>...Weirdly Written...Perphaps resembling the elements,writing and style Typical of Tales or Novels?
>"Tojiko, I'm not sure this is an authentic journal."
>Pass it to her so she can take a closer look.
>"Does that seem like how someone would write a journal normally to you?"
>"Hmm that could be all it is for me as well I suppose."
>Was this journal from the outside world?
>"Damn young 'uns and their newfangled writing styles."
>"You know, while we're up here we might as well just ask Sanae if she's around. When you think about she's probably the leading expert on outside world culture."
>Wait patiently until we reach our destination.
>Did Stargazer return to the cactus?
>Approach the main building and knock on an appropriate surface.
>"No don't worry, I'm actually here to ask a favour of you. I don't suppose one of you would be able to bless a leaf for me?"
>Shrug.
>"Patchouli needs one blessed to help me with a problem I'm having. No idea what she's going to do with it to be honest."
>"Hm, she said it needs to be a blessing relevant to a leaf, and that preferably the leaf would be green. Hopefully that's enough to go off."
>"Oh yeah, and I have something to ask you specifically Sanae. As an expert on outside world culture what do you make of this book?"
>Pull out the journal and hand it to Sanae.
>"Novel? So it's not someone's journal?"
>"I was hoping it would have some clue to a problem I'm having that seems to have to do with being a ghost. I don't suppose there's any chance it's written by some famous outside world ghost expert is there?"
>"I don't think so, I keep getting pulled into some weird alternate underwater Gensokyo."
>How much of that weird feeling that we felt before all this started are we still feeling?
>"It doesn't happen normally at all, which is making this quite a tough nut to crack."
>Follow her to the pond.
>"Yukari's interest too, which is a little worrying."
>"Keine, kind of? It's a long story."
>"Well, Tojiko's involved thankfully, she's been a big help. But no, it's not like anyone's shown up and announced themselves as the perpetrator to make this into a proper incident or anything."
>Look around for nice leaves as we walk.
>"I have reason to believe it isn't her either actually."
>Did Okina Matara want us to keep quiet about her?
>Continue following her to the lake.
>Do we have much experience with shinto gods?
>"I'm here to beseech you for a blessing."
>Not a whole lot, honestly. They're a little outside your social range.
>"Huh, okay," says Suwako, as she settles into a crouch and tilts her head a little.
>_
> GLad tone and pointing to the Lily Pond : "To be more to the point,a necessity and courtesy for this explanation, it a Blessing for a Green Leaf,like a Pond Lily from here,to help Patchouli making a Special-Tuned Magical Compass which would help me with a certain...weird and worring forced-displacement issue of mine,and so spirit-ghost related ...this is a part to understand&resolve it with just affecting myself and little else from Gensokyo...
> Serene Look at Sanae :" I already been explaining and thinking about it with Sanae on the way ".
>"What explains what?"
>Appear surprised.
>"Wait, you can tell something about what's going on with me? Please tell me everything you can, I've been running around non-stop trying to work out what in Davy Jones locker is going on!"
>"Familiar?"
>"Does a Gensokyo at the bottom of an ocean populated by nothing but fish ring a bell at all?"
>We haven't done any meddling have we?
>"Not as far as I know unless freeing Byakuren from Hokkai counts."
>"As far as I can tell it just came out of nowhere, and I seem to be the only one affected."
>"You said I've got 'extra feet elsewhere', can you tell how I'm connected to this other place?"
>"There must be a way to get unsnagged then right?"
>"Well. I assume so?" says Suwako, frowning some more. "Hm. Whatever has you is...not quite there, altogether?"
>_
> Frown in thought as well :" If it is of any help to pin it down,Patchouli has researched,after hearing out my " reports and considerations",that it could be 1 of the many kinds of " Unseen Clergy",and 1 apparently interested with Unbound Ghosts".
> " Even before that,Yukari pointed out that this is all happening inside the Great Hakurei Barrier and in fact,as mentioned by Tojiko ,after a certain amount of " Voyages Down There" an Underwater Copy of the Human Village started materializing.. but only the...Trees acted like they were in their element".
>"You mean like it's going senile?"
>"Ah yeah, you're right Tojiko. I seem to appear in the same spot in this watery Gensokyo as I was in our one. And if I move while I'm there I've moved an equivalent amount when I return."
>"Yeah, Patchouli and Yukari are the only ones that really seem to have any idea what's going on though. And kind of Keine."
>"Yeah, she said she'd be in touch but I should probably just hunt her down again."
>"It can't hurt to try, except maybe for her cat if she tries to stop me again. Would you be willing to bless a leaf for me while I'm here?"
>"A green leaf with a relevant blessing is what I'm supposed to get."
>Shrug.
>"It's what Patchouli said, though I think she might used words more along the lines of 'a blessing relevant to the leaf'"
>"Okay, I think I have something that might work," Suwako says, before she dives back into the lake. You think you can just make out her silhouette cutting through the water for a moment.
>"I don't suppose there's anything else we could do to help?" says Sanae.
>_
>"I think I'll be alright, thanks for the offer though."
>Wait for Suwako to return.
>Stare at the lily pad.
>"An unsinkable vessel..."
>Shake ourself out of our reverie.
>"Uh, sorry about that."
>"Thanks, I'll uh, go take this to Patchouli."
>Did we have any other business on the mountain?
>Who knows, it's been a long day.
>Leave awkwardly.
>"I'm surprised you've seen her at all, she seems to mostly just stay cooped up in her library."
>"Once in awhile," Sanae says, "She'll forget why she hates being outdoors enough to try an experience it again. She's done us a fair amount of good, honest. More than you'd think for one who angrily denies the gods in general."
>_
>"Huh, I guess you can't judge a book by the cover."
> " I can also relay any message ,advices and the like to her for you,since I am on my way back to her, if you have any ".
>"Oh, she's an absolute grumpypants," says Sanae. "But I think she only does that because she likes it, not because she's as mean as she acts."
>"...Hm, well," says Sanae. "You could tell her we've gotten a nice mahjong set, and she's welcome to come join us for a game. The only reliable fourth we have is Wriggle, and she's only here every so often."
>_
> " Mmmh? So Patchouli always had,or maybe has developed,a soft spot for competitive tabletop games or just a special place for Mahjong ?"
>"Seeing as you've been so helpful, maybe I could fill in every now and then for you."
>Do we have much experience with mahjong?
>"Though, you'd have to teach me how to play. I'm not up to date with all these new modern games."
>Tentatively say "Alright, I'll come back after I'm done with all this and give it a go. That is unless I get stuck in some alternate reality or something."
>"Good to know someone would come looking for me at least."
>"Yeah, there are a decent amount of people that'd come chasing after me aren't there. I'd rather they don't have to though, so let's get this sorted out."
>"Thanks again for your help, hopefully next time we meet it's because this is all sorted out and I'm here to be taught Mahjong."
>Head back to the cable car.
>"Let's take this back to Patchouli, and if we don't think of anything better to do by the time we're done with that we might as well go try and bug Yukari."
>Look over at Stargazer.
>"She certainly knows something, seeing as it was thanks to her that we got Stargazer out of there."
>"Alright, let's set course for the SDM."
>Wait for the cable car to reach its' destination.
>Re-cactus Stargazer and fly to the SDM.
> Politely but Intently Feel and ask Stargazer ,explainig certainly she can attach and support to us especially in-fly Outside the Enchanted Cactus since she enjoyed being Air-Lifted and being Air-Carried by the Car-structure Cable-Ropeway in the car ...
>..So explian now or later or wheneve rshe wants to experience a bit of herself able to float and fly a bit some meters or more, wecan start to take off amore slowly and balanced ,since she has no body or corporeal form meaning it should be easier has seen Underwater .
> In case she weants prepares or make a Quest Note or Assist Note.
> make preparations for a bit of clarificat privacy if she wants.
>// A-Z Machine Sakuya's Quest, on MotK/Shrinemaiden V2 the Latest Thread 12-13-14-15 //
> That Signed Oath brought by the Chief Maid Sakuya(and part-Time and special incident Resolver)between (Chief Monk) Byakuren's Myourens Buddhists and Crown Prince's (Head-Hermit Royal-Orig in)Taoists, has it been extant, persisting,acknowledged is believed? It truthfully should and ought to be regarded and be reconciliatory though not lazy or sedative or competition.
>After Stargazer replied or is mulling: ask the same to Tojiko.
>Sagaciously but : " Say Tojiko we 2 or 3 ,with any help, really should find some sort of directly or inderictly being helped by Sakya and Yukari...if we aree able to find Mayohiga or her in mayohiga... which has now this additional Connection through her and the mansion"
>Re-cactus Stargazer and fly to the SDM.
>Wave back and approach.
>"I'm here to see Patchouli again. How's the gate treating you?"
>Head right on in.
>"Yeah I managed to get you a leaf, I'm pretty sure this counts at least."
>Pull out the lily pad.
>She looks at it. "Clever. It should work. And it is appropriately blessed, right?"
>_
// We should remember to tell Patchouli the insights on our conditions intuited by Suwako AND thatwe have good reason to believe Sakuya could help in someways since... //
// 1.She resolved that " Incident of being Forcefully displaced in Gensokyo''s Future" and... //
// 2. Yukari's Note, right after we requested her help regarding our Dimensional Displacement and bringing back Stargazer" which sent here on some business. //
>" It is; the blessing comes from Suwako Moriya ".
> Smiling: "It comes with the thanks of the Moriya Shrine, voiced by Sanae for your previous help to them, that one during the Sun Incident if I recall correctly".
> " Sanae also extended an invitation to partecipate in their Majong Matches".
> Hand her over the Blessed Lily Pad when she requests it.,.
> Remember to make a mention about Sakuya before eventually leaving.
>"Alright, thanks for doing this for me."
>Let Patchouli do her thing.
>Give her a suspicious look.
>"Got any books on model ships?"
>"Thanks"
>Take the book and examine it.
>Put our book down and walk over to Patchouli.
>See if we can work out exactly what it is she's done.
> Nod : " It would save time and effort in a Good Charitable Way,so yes and Thanks".
> Take and examine it.
> Among the items we traded-in fom "Nazrindou" there is supposedly magical container which is unnuturally warm...has it been already "inspected" by Patchouli?
>"The next time you go to that place," Patchouli says, "Cover the jewel with your palm and press down to activate it. Only do it once. Do not do it before you get there, or you'll ruin it. Once you come back, repeat this process to shut it off. Do it as soon as you can, the sooner you can turn it off once you leave, the better. There won't be any sign that it is is working, but it will be."
>You obtain: Monitoring Jewel.
>She has not.
>_
>"And then bring the jewel back here after I've done that?"
> Nod : " I see :akin, to my limited understanding,to a finely calibrated mechanism for "readings" which should not be exposed to interferences...?"
> " Ah,if it is no inconvenience,preciously I had been forgetting to present to your expert's appraisal this "uncommon find" I traded-in from Kourindou,or rather "Nazrindou" since Rinnosuke is still continuing is "Rehabilitation",but now there is even more reason to see if it would interfere...or help?"
> Unless refused ,pull out and present to Patchouli the " Strangely Warm Container" .
>"An evil sprit? Is it dangerous?"
>"And all it can do is make this slightly warm?"
>"And all it can do is make this slightly warm?"
> :"Ah, Good to know, good to have that Evil Spirit Trapped and not have this Bottle-Turned Spirit Trap mishandled or underestimated as just a Strange Sturdy Bottle or a Somehow Mystical New Item "
> We should really ask, so Note-Making, to Nazrin the Who and the Character of whoever traded, or rather was involved in a trade series for this.
>Knowing and being in shifts for the "Myouren's Underground Clinic", is it currently feasible to have this Evil-Spirit-in-a-Bottle Delivered or Deliver in Person , and the Sturdy Trap-Bottle Returned if at all possible, to the Palace of Earth Spirits through that?
> " On a different but more important note: this Unrest has to have a few or more ties and insights with that Last Timeline&Time Incident that Sakuya resolved,
, so it shound be good and useful to have her involved, informed, helping along within possibility and ... "
>"Mmmh... this reminds me that it is quite possible the Special Business recently and still keeping Sakuya out of the Mansion could be having Ties&Insights to be cross-confronted as well, at the very least there are some shared helpful ties via Yukari".
>"Can you tell how it's trapped?"
>"Hmm, well it's probably not a good idea to mess with a trap we know nothing about. Not sure what I'm going to do with this thing now to be honest."
>"No? You don't think it's capable of being too threatening?"
>Eye the container warily.
>"I don't see what that has to do with anything," says Patchouli.
>_
> "Well,there is also the concern it would be an Interference with that Measuring Jewel ,but that does not seem to be the case,right?"
> Any reactions from Stargazer?
>"Oh yeah, when I talked to Suwako she noticed that something was up before I even mentioned anything. She seemed to reckon I was snagged on whatever this is somehow."
>"She said it seemed somehow young and familiar, whatever that means, but she couldn't seem to nail down anything concrete."
>Patchouli is silent for a moment. Then she says, "And people worship these things. Useless."
>"I don't know, Tojiko says, "Young kind of implies it's not some ancient evil thing like we thought it might have been?"
>Patchouli gives Tojiko a look.
>_
>" Interject by all manners&purposesConciliation and Patient Pace, not Patronizing nor Wise-gal nor Faux in the Slightest: " There is Truth, Conciliation, New Knowledge in both the Previous and The Current State of Affairs and Developments, nothing truly upsetting yet still grazing upset... "
>" To the actual useful point Suwako's own words and hints are: "It's like a half-remembered dream in all the worst ways. I'm trying to pin it down and it just doesn't want to."
> " It is no Dream,Vision or Remembrance for myself and Stargazer ... Suwako charitably&effectively, without Sinking to the Temptation of Bluffing, Recollected and Hinted along the lines: " I got extra feet on that side, fearing the off-chance I could have been... framed in some... " Forbidden Mystic Ritual"... because that Unseen Clergy, or alike an Unseen Clergy, is not quite really there whereas is having me snagged&dragged by those same extra feet to the point of I neither fully here on the Correct Side , Always standing the main sufferer is the Recent-Born Stargazer anyhow. .. ".
>"On mine PoV, and Stargazer's but also Dear Tojiko's... Consquences are among the realm of It Intrudingbut also going after a plan of necessity" Really Being, Becoming and Be There Anew" in the External Folds of the Gensokyo's Great Hakurei Barrier... with Acts and Hot-Blazing of Progressively Gazing-Studying&Manifesting&Materialization&Conjuration&Pressuring... "
>... this Unseen Seemingly-New Entity has a clear&commited need to Latch&Board Down Ghostly Spirits who ars unwillingly obliged becoming Dimensional Drifters, in the context of also little me but primarly Stargazer who has become Indipendent from Keine without Impoverishing
>"That's actually a really good point. Though it does mean we're even less likely to find anything about it in one of your books doesn't it Patchouli."
>"Well hopefully we'll work out enough about whatever this is that you'll get to fix that. Wait, do you write books, or just read them?"
>"You would be right."
>"You know for the first time I'm actually kind of hoping I'll get pulled over to that watery world again. I'm itching to use this jewel of yours and see if we can get some answers."
>"Can't be too reckless seeing as I don't seem to have any control over when it happens. Though it has been a while since it last happened, I wonder if something triggers it."
>"I have been wondering if it might have something to do with Stargazer, maybe now that she's here I'm not going to get pulled over there any more? Though the uncomfortable feeling that came with all this hasn't gone away, and Suwako noticed my connection to that place since then, so I don't think this is resolved regardless."
>"No, I mean I'm not really sure how I would. Just try thinking really hard?"
>"Focus, concentrate, see beyond this world into the next?" says Patchouli. "You're a buddhist, you're supposed to be good at that."
>_
> " Not quite that good yet at "Trascending Harmony",but I am gong to make a few good attempts at that.
> Think back upon with Relaxation,In er Peace,Clarity the kind of Pressure and Perceptions we felt when were being displacedwhile matching the kind of state where we stay there at our longest...
> Focus and will on that...
> If nothing feels off and yet there are snags,try to focus and to will with more clarity After ...
> If possible,trying to communicate with Stargazer while inside the Catcus by "feelings,take the Stargazer-in-Cactus out and explain her what we are attempting.
> If impossible,unless Stargazer "say" she rather wants to manifest in the opein the Great Library,entrust Stargazer-in-Cactus to Tojiko clarifying this might be our "anchor on our set of feet here
>Open one eye cautiously.
>Look around, see if we can see Stargazer anywhere nearby, and also examine our surroundings.
>"Huh, who knew it'd be that easy."
>Take out Patchouli's jewel.
>"Sorry, I didn't have much hope that that was going to work, I didn't mean to drag you here with me."
>Cover the jewel with our palm and press down.
>"On the bright side though, having you here with me is nice. Being alone in a place like this isn't much fun. Though, I guess you know that even better than I do don't you."
>Can we see any books, or anything that looks like it was part of a book at one point?
>Do we feel the presence that we felt before?
>Does it feel like it's coming from any specific direction?
>"Do you feel a weird ominous presence?"
>"Can you tell at all where it's coming from? It's hard to pinpoint."
>Yell out "Mysterious presence, you want to talk!?"
>Give Stargazer a look and a shrug.
>Calm our breathing, relax, and try to reach out to the presence with our thoughts.
>A conspicious nothing or just the normal kind of nothing?
>"May as well have a look around while we let Patchouli's jewel do it's thing."
>Start poking around the mansion, looking for anything interesting and slowly making our way towards the exit.
>Stargazer nods and starts to float after you.
>You leave library behind, and come to the front hall. Half-rotten tapestries slowly wave in a very gentle current, while the frames of paintings are trapped against the ceiling. Some denser wooden objects, such as a few cabinets, are still in they proper place, though covered with barnacles and creatures native to the sea bottom. Decorate suits of armor lay in piles around their stands. A long red banner runs along the ceiling; it takes you moment to realize this used to be the rug that ran along the center of the hall. The rugs on the staircases leading to the second floor balcony that overlooks the hall are still in their place, held down by stair rods. The front doors hang open, giving you a glimpse into the flooded grounds.
>_
>"Hmm, this place really does seem to be Gensokyo if it were suddenly flooded. I hope this isn't a premonition, though there haven't been any drowned corpses or anything, have you seen anything like that around?"
>Step outside and swim up till we can get a good view of the mansion in its' entirety.
>Stargazer shakes her head.
>You step outside, and find the the grounds have become a bed of various sea plants, with the odd manicured tree sticking up among them. The statue garden to the east is swamped with seaweed, while the old broken fountain to the west just seems comical at the moment. The gates ahead are still closed, but without a guard it would be trivial to simply swim over it. Or through it, in the case of many of the fish.
>You swim upward a few dozen feet, Stargazer drifting along after you. The mansion's clock tower looms in the brine, a school of sardines lingering around it. Looking down, the mansion seems to be about as intact as you could hope for this kind of situation; you don't see any obvious damage. ...Perhaps an odd roof tile here or there is missing, having broken off and either tumbled away or floated away. Looking around, the grounds seem to be largely intact as well. Further out, you can see what was Misty Lake. Now that everything is under water, it just looks like a valley.
>_
>Stargazer nods and starts to float after you.
>You leave library behind, and come to the front hall. Half-rotten tapestries slowly wave in a very gentle current, while the frames of paintings are trapped against the ceiling. Some denser wooden objects, such as a few cabinets, are still in they proper place, though covered with barnacles and creatures native to the sea bottom. Decorate suits of armor lay in piles around their stands. A long red banner runs along the ceiling; it takes you moment to realize this used to be the rug that ran along the center of the hall. The rugs on the staircases leading to the second floor balcony that overlooks the hall are still in their place, held down by stair rods. The front doors hang open, giving you a glimpse into the flooded grounds.
>_
>"It also seems like this place has been underwater for some time, for all this stuff to have grown. Let's check one more thing and then head back."
>Make our way over to the Misty 'Lake' and have a quick look around for anything interesting. If we know where Wakasagihime normally hangs out pay particular attention to that area.
>"Alright, back we go."
>Head back to the library.
>Recover in midair with flight.
>"I'm alright, just a little surprised is all. Good to see you made it back out of there without being in the cactus."
>Approach the SDM, again.
>"Long story but it is really me. Oh whoops that reminds me."
>Press the jewel with our palm again.
>"Patchouli can vouch for me, she's helping me with a problem I've been having involving being pulled into and out of some other dimension. Which is how I got back out here."
>"You know now you've got me wondering, are shapeshifters something you have to deal with often?"
>"Sounds rough. Your job is a lot more than just standing there isn't it?"
>Wait for a bit and see what happens.
>Wave back.
>"Sorry, I didn't really think that was going to work. But I think I managed to use Patchouli's jewel properly, hopefully she can work out something helpful with it now."
>Give Meiling a querying look.
>"Don't worry Meiling, I probably wouldn't have let me in either. Can't really expect people to be popping in and out of existence."
>Step through the gate and follow Tojiko back to the library.
>Give the familiar an incredulous look.
>"Yeah, who would have thought it was that easy. I used your jewel while I was there."
>Hand over the jewel.
>"I didn't turn it off quite straight away sorry, I got distracted by suddenly not being underwater and falling out of the sky. So there'll be data from walking partway back from the lake to the front gate in there."
>"Don't worry Meiling, I probably wouldn't have let me in either. Can't really expect people to be popping in and out of existence."
>Step through the gate and follow Tojiko back to the library.
>"How long do you think it's going to take you to get something out of that thing?"
> We know Nue and her old Tanuki friend Mamizou are included by Their Nature in "The Potentially Trespassing Shapeshifter Youkai " but the 1st one Decided Not to be Involved (//Nue Quest A-Z//) ... but the 2nd might or have relations with that ? Have we heard or known more?
> We Explored in Passing, on the "Scarlet Mansion of. Bottom Ocean Flooded Plane": Great Libray, Main Foyer, Gardens, Outer Grounds leading to the Misty Lake... Correct?
> Add:" I used that Monitoring Jewel for a Passing Exploration starting from The Other Great Libray, Main Foyer, Gardens, Outer Grounds leading to the Misty Lake... "
>"... Yet the Unseen Clergy's Presence and Interest were only Perceivable just once, at the Beginning of the Displacement in the Other Great Library, and yet Stargazer also was feeling that... "
> "... she was Blanketed by Its Presence. "
>Frown.
>"Did I not use it right?"
>"Does that mean anything to you or is this just a dead end?"
>"Hmmm, okay. If it means anything to you I had a look around while I was there and I found myself inside this mansion but flooded. Judging by the things I found floating around the place it seems as if that place is a copy of our current Gensokyo that's been flooded. And for some time too, at least enough time for your books to turn to sludge."
>"Though, I guess it would only be a copy of the landscape, because the only person that I've found there has been Stargazer. I didn't even find any bodies or anything to indicate that people had drowned."
>"That can't be right. There's definitely an entire Gensokyo over there.">Is Tojiko having a stroke?
>"Is it all some massive illusion then? Or some kind of ghost Gensokyo?"
>"Is there something I can do to help with that?"
>"Alright, I'll leave you to it then. Did I remember to tell you about the Mahjong?"
>"Sanae wanted me to relay the message that they've got themselves a nice mahjong set and they'd be happy for you to visit and play with them."
>Turn to Koakuma.
>"Thanks for the running commentary by the way."
>Turn back to Patchouli.
>"I've gone and talked myself into letting them teach me how to play, so who knows, might end up across the table from each other at some point."
>"Now, I'll get out of your rigging. I'm going to go bug Yukari I think."
>"I already managed it once today and came out in one piece, so hopefully my luck holds."
>Look around for the cause of the 'huh'.
>Look around for the cause of the 'huh'.
> Did we actually tey our hands in confronting and taking back ,both There andHere samples from that Ocean Floor,and the Gensokyo's " Ghostly Projections ".
> Patiently look out for this unexpected 'uh' opportunity,which could be a Godsend, but also make sure to take this opportunity for a small inquiry whether "That Test&Sampling" could Bear Good Fruits.
> What do we know about the familiar?
> How 'pure' are we expected to be as part as the Myouren Temple?
> Are we aware of Koakuma's more...provocative tendencies?
>"So uh, what's this 'r' mean?"
>"I don't suppose you can tell where it would be so I can go investigate it when I go back over there?"
>"Can you tell what kind of thing it is? Or just that something's there?"
>"Maybe it's whatever that ominous presence that both Stargazer and I can feel there is."
>"Well if it turns out to be some ancient evil after all and I really need to know about it, leave a message at the temple. Thanks for all your help."
>Leave the library.
>"Yeah, most of what's in there apparently isn't real. I think that presence is the key to all this. There must be a way to work out what it is. Maybe it has something to do with why Stargazer and I are the ones who get pulled over there."
>Leave the mansion.
>Wave to Meiling.
>"Stargazer where was the last place you remember being before ending up in that watery world? Was it Gensokyo?"
>"Do you know where you were?"
>Another feeling of denial, this one much more emphatic than the last.
>_
> Calmly and Cheerfully to Stargazer:" I am sure light is going to be shed on at the end of this incident,with its resplution,and with the help of Utsuho".
> Proceed to the Human Village and Myouren Temple keeping our senses out for any signal of Yukari,Okina,Sakuya.
> While travelling ask Tojiko :"Oh, Tojiko,I am going to take a bit of time with Byakuren,and possibly a few more though in a swifter manner,atThe Myouren Temple to recount the news,exchange counsels,also regarding that "Mysteriously Trapped Evil Spirit in a Bottle",ask ans withdrawing necessary funds take some personal object..."
> Would taking 1 or a couple of our Self-Crafted Bottled Ships make us Uncomfortable and be Counterproductive?
> "Would you think it best and would you prefer to come with me or go to exchange news & counsels with Miko and aftwards having a rendezvous,setting an easy way-point for that of course, or wait and a bit of sight-see of the Human Villagewith a similar rendezvous at the end ?"
>"Would Utsuho maybe know where you'd ended up that wasn't Gensokyo?"
>The cactus radiates an uncertain feeling.
>Tojiko nods. "That is a good idea, the Crown Prince will want to know what I've been up to."
>You wouldn't want to just carry a ship in a bottle around with you. They are large and kind of delicate.
>There is a sense of doubt in response.
>_
> To Tojiko: "Good, and what place would be alright to wait at once we are done?"
> Any Notice of Anything or anyone particular when en-route?
>"Hmmm, I don't suppose anybody else had any idea what went down? Or was it just Utsuho?"
>Start flying towards the Myouren temple while we converse.
>"Oh? Give me your general impression of them, maybe I know them."
>Do we know Parsee?
>"Alright, and the other one?"
>"Alright, the first one's probably Parsee. Nobody immediately springs to mind for the second one, I'll have to give it some thought."
>"I think so. I don't know, all I can think of is a really large Suika."
> "Or maybe Kanako."
>"Does she do that?" says Tojiko. "I've heard stories, but I've never actually seen it myself."
>"Oh, I suppose so," says Tojiko.
>_
>"I guess it could also be Yukari, which would be convenient."
> Mental memo to Mark and Be Back There " That Known Familiar Human Village's Well for Ghost-Spirit Trio's Break Time".
> To Stargazer:" Possibly ,and possibly related to Utsuho and Parsee's Group with you and " Big Purple Powerful Presence " in it,do you remember any other individuals or groups,on any side,any actions,struggles..?especially fighting and breaking-in or out...and does any new acquaintance we have met together stirs a similar course?"
> After those exchanges,add Additional Help with :a Silent and Not-Overwhelming for Stargazer the People we met or we were supposed to meet and those more or close close to Heart or Mind.
> Proceed ,but when the Moment is Nigh take pause in expressing Grateful Goodbyes to Tojiko,observe and enter the Temple Grounds ; if nothing or none deserves a detour or an undertaking indirect pathways
>Step inside the temple.
>Do we know where Byakuren would likely be at this time of day?
>Investigate the source of the sweeping.
>"Hey Shou. Regretting giving up the fun job at the shop to Rinnosuke?"
>Walk on over to her.
>"Know where Byakuren is? I'm looking to give her an update on all this craziness that's been going on today."
>"I'm making progress on it, and there's definitely something going on. I can't think of anyone better than Byakuren to help me work this out though."
>"Yeah, but that's more because she's a ghost than because she's a taoist."
>"I haven't spent this long as a follower of Byakuren to so easily jump ship. This really isn't something you need to worry about."
>"Damn you, inability of text to convey intonation!
>"Well, I'm going to go find Byakuren. Good luck with your sweeping."
>Begin searching the temple for Byakuren.
>While doing so ask Stargazer "While we're here, would you like to meet Byakuren? She's both the nicest and most wise person I know."
>"Hello. I've managed to find some things out if you've got the time for an update."
>"Let's see, where do I start."
>"Well, this weird watery dimension seems to be an exact copy of Gensokyo, as it currently is, if it had been suddenly completely flooded, and then been left that way for some time. Except, minus all the people. I've found only one person there who wasn't some kind of fish, though I guess she kind of was when I first met her. Actually, give me one second."
>Turn away and whisper to the cactus "She's harmless I swear, it's safe to come out."
>"This is Stargazer, I met her over there, and with some help from Yukari I was able to bring her back here. Which is where she's originally from. Now we're kind of working together to try and sort this all out."
>Was the minor disagreement about when we said that Gensokyo is where she's from?
>See if Stargazer will answer for herself.
>"Just being there for a short amount of time is unpleasant enough. Partially due to this ever-present ominous presence that seems to be everywhere over there. I think it might be the key to all this."
>"I'm not sure, it just seems to be aware of me. Not even like it's focused on me or anything, just that it knows that I'm there. But I did get some clues that might help work out what it is. When I met with Suwako she noticed that something was off before I even said anything, that I was snagged on something that seemed somehow familiar to her. She also said that whatever it is seems young, and not quite there."
>"The reason I was there though was to get a reagent for Patchouli so she could create a device to try and work out what's up with this water dimension. And we managed to do that successfully, but apparently the data she got was all nothing. Not as if it failed, but as if the device had just detected a whole bunch of nothing. 'It's all zeroes' or something like that was how she put it. Except for one single thing that she found after she looked at it for a while. Though she said she'd need a bit of time to work out exactly what that is."
>"My current thinking is that whatever this 'single thing' is that's there is that presence that I can feel. If I can work out what it is, or how to contact it, or even just interact with it in any way, I might be able to solve this."
>"Patchouli said that if it's an illusion she would have picked up traces of it, but it's definitely something like that. Could the reason that the presence seems to be everywhere there that I'm inside whatever it is... Is some kind of extra-dimensional ghost eating monster trying to eat me and Stargazer?"
>Go pale...er.
>"That's true, and I did get the impression that Stargazer had been there for quite a while."
>Look over at Stargazer, then back to Byakuren.
>"Have you ever heard of a creature that could do something like this? You must have encountered quite a few different ones in your time."
>"It sounds like this place is an illusion," Byakuren says. "But you disappear, don't you? It it definitely got into your hair a little. How strange..."
>_
> "Well, an important fact is that, as discovered by Yukari, this is all taking place inside the Great Hakurei Barrier with the Entity Itself inside it... "
>"... Moreover, according to Suwako, who kindly provided the Blessed Leaf for Patchouli's Monitoring Jewel, this Entity feels also somehow familiar to her but in a way like an half-forgotten dream, It is younger than expected, not Quite Present There but Trying To Be, and this caused myself to have Sorts of Extra Feet There through which I am periodically displaced there..."
>".. . Stargazer as well presumably went through a similar process but was stranded Down There and Forced to Adapt".
> " Ah,on a secondary but still important note there is also this New Issue about a Peculiar Bottle I obtained by trade at Kourindou... it turned into a New Issue because, after Patchouli kindly analyzed it, it has been revealed that it is a Sealed Trap for an Evil Spirit Inside it, although it is still a Mystery regarding how it works".
>"Ah true, they do deal with that kind of thing there don't they."
>Add quest to deliver the haunted bottle to old hell.
>"What about you Byakuren, do you have any idea what kind of creature could do all this?"
>Frown.
>"If you don't know, then I doubt anybody does."
>"People that know more than you, what a place. I was going to go see if I could get more out of Yukari seeing as she knew at least enough to help get Stargazer out of there."
>"Yeah, but her knowing something doesn't seem to mean she'll actually tell you. And we'll see if I can even find her, the only reason I managed to find her the first time was with the help someone who's just as needlessly secretive."
>"Can you think of anything to try if going after Yukari doesn't work?"
>"Oh yeah, Eirin did say that she'd be willing to help after they finished cleaning up after all the excitement that happened while I was there. And yeah, if Suwako could tell something was up, maybe another god might be able to tell even more. I knew consulting with you was a good idea, thank you."
>"I don't think I told you anything you didn't already know," Byakuren says. "But I am happy I helped you collect your thoughts."
>_
> "That is already much for which I am Thankful for, not mentioning all The Help and Enlighting Good Teaching&Good Works and... "
> "... ah, this reminds me that I am now in the situation to ask for An Additional Help But Embarrassing Help , since it regards my Lack of Funds which already left me without a Spellcard, which was Traded at Kourindou, with a Debt for Generous Gratitude, yet Not a Monetary One, to Tojiko; though they were not Negative Happenings At All, especially the 2nd One, there could be Others Troubbling whoever is going to be involved ".
>"That should be plenty, thank you."
>"Aye aye. Seeing as I seem to be running all over the place anyway, are there any messages or anything that need delivering?"
>She nods. "Could you ask Shou to get it for you?"
>_
> "Is Shou at her Namesake Clothing Store or is she somewhere on the Inner Temple Grounds"?
>"Ah and ,as a Final Bit of Reassurance before I am leaving on Incident-like Investigation again, are there maybe particular news or inklings, hopefully plainly good ones or with potential for that, about Our Myouren Temple's Underground Clinic, its Reception, the Other Temple Members More Dedicated on that ? "
>When all has been gracefully answered, bow head and lightly clap hands while thanking Byakuren accordingly then...
> Proceed to where Shou is indicated to be.
>"Hi again, Byakuren said you could get some money for me. 150☼ to be exact."
>"Hi again, Byakuren said you could get some money for me. 150☼ to be exact."
> "It had to be that,since expenses have been encountered,and I found myself short-handed upon Trading Items ...even more short-handed since 1 I have trade-received has a direct voyage-mark to The Palace of Earth Spirits for being "A Mysterious Trap for a Trapped Evil Spirit...".
> Do we know,before making a stop at Kourindou,if Nazrin has a policy to reveal who-traded-what if potentially grave concerns are entailed like The Mysterious,Bottle-Trap for An Evil Spirit?
>"Yarrr, thank ye for these mighty fine dubloons."
>Does profit from Kourindou end up back at the temple at the moment?
>"Thanks."
>Did Stargazer re-cactus herself?
>Exit the temple.
>Before we approach Tojiko, whisper to Stargazer "Byakuren's pretty great, eh?"
>Wave to Tojiko and approach.
>"Nothing new necessarily, but thanks to Byakuren's insight I've got some idea of where we can try if we can't find Yukari. I still think Yukari's the most likely to know something so let's still try her first. How about you?"
>"We should try Eirin again now that she's probably done cleaning up. And then, if Suwako could tell something was up, maybe another god could have an even better idea of what's going on? Worth a shot at least."
>"I suppose we could," says Tojiko. "But I would think it's a bit closer to what Yukari knows."
>"Um, I might have a better idea?" comes a voice from nearby, close to a housing row.
>_
>Can we see anyone where the voice came from?
>Do we recognise the voice?
> (!)Could she he be our "secret acquaintance" Mai ,or perphaps her best friend and partner Satono ,our behalf of the Secret god Okina Matara about That Encounter with the Recovered,after an invitation mistaken for her being(by the 2 Afeoreme tioned MatarJin's Servants of Matara kidnapping,Doremy Sweet(!);or someone New or...?
> Reasonably secretive,Quickly but not apprehensively Turn & look at her or him at the Loc. At the Housing Row :"....Oh ,that's good?"
> Still reasonably Secretive Approach her,both us and Tojiko:" We are all ears and open to Good Initiative,even "Good Secret Meetings ,for the sake of to Uncovering&Resolving this Ghost Kind Sorta Incident on this - casual pointing to us - 1 Humble On-Land Ghostly Ship Captain, Miss(/?Mister?)...?
>You glance over, and see a woman in pink with brown hair leaning out from behind the housing row. You immediately recognize her as one of Okina's dancers. "We've been trying to catch you for ages!" Satono says.
>_
> Approach and speak quietly but enough to be heard for those present : " Sorry,we were on the move quite a bit for Furthering the Investigation but had no way to warn you".
> " Now everyone is good and recovered on your end,right?".
>"I dunno about that," says Satono. "But the baku's mostly awake."
>_
> " Mostly? Does she need more time to recover or is she almost ready for a little meeting"?
>"Awake enough for a chat?"
>"Was that why you hunted me down?"
>"Uh-huh," she says. "You were supposed to want to talk with her, right?"
>_
> " Alright,just a moment to check between us if matters here are settled- glance to Tojiko and Stargazer in askance - and we should be ready to secretly go ".
> If positive for the all-clear ,let the 3 of us go with Satono.
>"Yeah, I would. And you caught us at a good time actually. Could you take us to see her?"
>Follow her!
>Look at Tojiko, nod, then take her hand.
>Close our eyes.
>Hold our other hand out for Satono.
>Open our eyes and have a look around.
>Is there anyone else in the room?
>"Thanks for getting us here. Where's Doremy at?"
>Follow Satono again.
>Peer inside before entering.
>"You keep this place so ominous on purpose?"
>"Hello again Okina, how's the patient?"
>Step inside the room.
>"Hello again Okina, how's the patient?"
>Step inside the room.
> Any "feelings" emanating by Stargazer?
> We recall never meeting or seeing Doremy before,right?
>Address Doremy: "Nice to meet you, I'm Captain Murasa Minamitsu. Sorry to bother you when you look like you've been through a storm, but I could really use your help."
>"Huh? I think there's been a misunderstanding, if anything I tried to save you from being kidnapped. What do you remember happening before you ended up here?"
>"You sure it was me? First thing I saw of you you were already out cold and being dragged off by those dancers."
>Gaze suspiciously at the doorway.
>"Did Okina Matara tell you all this?"
>"I mean yeah, there was a misunderstanding. But I think you're misunderstanding what the misunderstanding was actually about. I was just trying to find you to ask you for help when I came across the dancers in the middle of abducting you. Tojiko can back me up on this one."
>Look over to Tojiko for confirmation that we aren't crazy.
>"It's absolutely true," says Tojiko, who seems to be more shocked than anything. "I was there!"
>"Hm," says the baku.
>_
> Raise both eyebrows:"About that...Besides Tojiko here ,who you might deem not so neutral or objective being here with and friendly with me ,there are as Reliable Witnesses,Recounters of Facts and Co-Rescuers several members of the Eientei ".
> " Anyhow,I am glad you are now well-recovered and mostly-rested".
> " ...So ,the whole point of my searching and seeking advice and help by you,since the time when I and Tojiko were first heading to Eientei,is about..."
> Recount and explain the "Ghostly Dimensional Displacement Experiences ",including Stargazer, from the beginning to the last one its important points ,all the way up to the "new discoveries and understanding alongside the people who helped with those".
> At the end of the explanation and when Doremy has more or less understood the kernel,"introduce "Stargazer to her ,after a sincere reassuring like previous times,and let her take part in the Helpful Discussons&Debriefing .
>You begin to summarize. You sometimes wonder if Doremy isn't drifting it and out of consciousness, but it seems she is paying attention, though she says nothing.
>You try to coax out Stargazer, but she does not respond.
>_
>"Before when you mentioned a library, did you mean a library at Eientei?"
> At the end of the explanation,to Doremy : " Is all of that clear? Do some parts need more explanation because they are confusing or because of their particularity?"
> To Stargazer,reassuringly and soothingly : " Are you alright Stargazer?You can come out without fear since Doremy is here to Understad & Help,not a Risk or Danger in any way".
>"Let's see. This place seems to be a copy of Gensokyo if it had been underwater for quite a while, and without any people. According to Patchouli almost everything there doesn't actually exist. Before I even said anything about it to Suwako she noticed that I was 'snagged' on something, and that whatever that is is somehow young. And there seems to be some presence there that's aware of me, but I can't work out where it is."
>"Tojiko can tell you what it looks like when I go over there."
>"Hmm, ok. Can you do any funky dream stuff to try and work out what is going on?"
>She shakes her head slowly."No. I think this is entirely beyond my power," Doremy says. "But that suggests something important, too. I do not think you are seeing dreams, but rather something like memories."
>_
> " Something like memories... What can be done to find out Whose Sort-of Memories are this and What Meaning&Purpose they bear behind them ?"
>"What makes you think that it would be memories?"
>"Huh, I guess that could make sense. If true though, isn't it weird that I'd dissapear when being pulled into memories?"
>"Have you ever heard of anyone doing so before? Or anyone who could?"
>"Well, if they're memories, I'm pretty sure they're not my memories. I have memories of being underwater, and I have memories of Gensokyo, but not both at the same time."
>"Yeah, like if it's something else's memories why was Stargazer in there?"
>"It is very weird for anyone to go into memories at all," says Doremy. "They aren't a place you can go. They aren't a place!"
>_
>
> "However, according to Yukari, the Displace
ents are actually taking place inside Genskoyo's Great Hakurei Barrier... "
>"... Could it be that That Entity ended there and projects there not only Memories but also Willpower, and myself and Stargazer are the only ones who have some particular affinitirs or, as Suwako put it, "Pulled in by having Extra Feet in There? "
>"Yeah, like if it's something else's memories why was Stargazer in there?"
>"If only we knew why that is."
>Lean in close.
>"Do you think you're going to be alright here once we leave? Something fishy's going on here."
>"I don't see why not..." Doremy says.
>_
> "That Happenstance regarding "your misunderstood...being withdrawn from Eientei's Library"was kind-of unexpected,mysterious and mostly under-wraps,and for a good chunk this all still is, at that one itime ;although later we finally managed to "barter an arrival" here where you were taken and received the explanations mainly but not just by t Okina ,who is a Secret Youkai-Like God..."
> " ...In that I had recounted to the folks at Eientei what I could but I agreed ,and I have fairly done so anyways, to have confirm myself and further recount directly to them,so far it has been,direct-wise, to The Pair of Eirin and Reisen,mainly Eirin".
>"Unless you're just so barely awake that you misunderstood what Okina Matara was saying, I think she's been telling you fibs. I don't know why she would, but I don't know her well enough to just trust her when she's doing things like this."
>"Everyone has their own story, I suppose," says Doremy, resting her eyes.
>_
> " Certainly so ,whenever there is even a Bit of Valued Goodwill Each Stories Could be Understood&Forgiven ."
> Was there any indication this " Story " deals in Reputation,Faith-Gathering and Secrecy?
> " In the meantime, do you want us to relay any messages or anything else or could we help in any manner with your recovery?"
>"You don't have to believe me, just be cautious. If nothing else she's obviously a schemer, cut from the same cloth as Yukari Yakumo I think."
>You don't know if faith gathering is involved. It's hard to know when a so-called God of Secrets is involved.
>"Maybe tell Eientei that I am doing fine," she says as she rests her eyes.
>"I will take care," she says.
>_
> Observe the sorroundings for a bit to notice if something seems odd or standing out.
> " Alright,will tell to them that".
> " Anything in particular to say to them if they want to come check on you personally or to know when you will be contacting them ?"
>Turn to Tojiko.
>"Well, I suppose we learnt something here at least. What do you make of this whole thing with Matara?"
>"Hmm, maybe. I'm weighing up confronting her about it. We are kind of at her mercy here though."
>"Actually maybe I can get her to listen to what I have to say after she sends me back. That is if she isn't canny enough to be listening in on us as we speak."
>Give the doorway another pointed look.
>"True. Well, let's go."
>Step out into the hallway and see if there's anyone there.
>"I'd assume she'd have one of her minions take us home," says Tojiko.
>You glance at the door, which is helpfully closed.
>_
> Low-tone to Tojiko :" Look there,even though Mai is not there,we can now have clearer answers by Matara about her upside-downing responsibilities
> Approach them both and wave but bear a neutral expression with bits of frowning.
>Tojiko just gives a little nod.
>You approach the pair. Okina glances over and says, "Was she helpful?"
>_
> " Doremy has been Helpful,even if she is now tired out and resting"
> "Her help is a new lead that This New Entity, or New Unseen Clergy, has Leverage upon Memories and Willpower, Creating and Sustaining Quite a Convincing Ambience and it is Respecting The Border insomuch Its Operation are within Gensokyo's Great Hakurei Barrier; some consequences are indeed It used to drag down, somehowspirits like myself, temporary, and, more indefinitely Stargazer... "
> "More Truth awaits to come to The Light though the next step, more of an uncertain one alas, who could help or help find another help. "
>"Yeah, she ruled something out and gave me her take on what it could be, so that's something."
>"I don't suppose I could get you to put me in touch with Yukari again?"
>"Nah, they went really well. That's why I want to talk to her again. She gave me what I needed to save someone from that weird watery dimension I told you about, and I imagine she'll probably want to talk about it now that I've pulled it off."
>"Well, she didn't exactly give me any way to find her again or anything."
>"Ah, that sounds like something she would do," says Okina. "I suppose I can help with that."
>_
> Bow head with hand clasped,gratefully and with some reverence :" You have mine ,Stargazer's and Tojiko's thanks yet again."
> Rise head,back to usual Captain Minamitsu Murasa's :"Actually...Did you sense any "alteration or new presence or else" from Your Side like Yukari did from Hers ,which were related to the Young Unseen Clergy operating within The Border or the Grear Barrier ? Any links, or at least ruling out of links,adding Knowledge or Scope about That Formless Unseen Gazing Entity helps.
>"You're quite welcome," Okina says.
>She smiles. "Now, would you expect a god of secrets of answer any of that?"
>_
> "Good point there. "
> "In that case could I tell Yukari you did sense something Barrier&Border-related but anytying else are your secrets to keep, or would that be false? "
>Okina lays and waves her hand dismissively. "I'm sure she would be quite annoyed to hear you that you think I can sense something she cannot, whether or not is is definitely so." Satono snickers as well.
>_
> Nod and, internally, raise an eyebrow: " Thank you for sharing that bit of knowledge. "> "Well then, since we are about to be granted a passage and she is away" at work" say our warm greetings in our stead Mai as well
>"Perhaps don't share it with her," Okina says with a smirk.
>"I will!" Satono says.
>_
> Smile to Okina and Satono.
> "Well,if there is nothing else,I think we are ready to receive That Passage"
>"Thanks for your hospitality once again, and for looking after Doremy. Though, she seemed a bit confused about some things. Might want to make sure she doesn't go spreading a mixed up version of the truth around."
>Give Okina a pointed look.
>"As long as it doesn't end up with me getting thrown under the boat."
>"Maybe just find someone instead who isn't happy to keep your secrets for you."
>Okina chuckles. "I am of the belief that knowledge should serve for the betterment of things, don't you?"
>_
>"Maybe just find someone instead who isn't happy to keep your secrets for you."
> Do not say that because there is a "better and healthier deal to offer for both parties" available...
>
> Smile Serenely as well:" ...As for bettering that misunderstanding ,should it not be in the best interest for Both Our Parts to simply mention: who was involved,the general actions and the "happily" resolved misunderstanding whie keeping vague or silent about responsibilities and related?"
> " Would it not be wise to keep the Whole Truth mostly-secret instead of open&manipulated lest those who are fully aware and involved,not much myself or Tojiko raher the Eientei group themselves,are obliged to Correct and...Embarass?"
> "In such a best case,it would be no issue if I and Tojiko were to ask the Eientei group,after explaining and reassuring the Doremy's situation is well and resolved as it truly is, to keep "Reserved Like That If No Throwing Under Boat Is Coming .""
>You consider saying something sharp, then think better of it.
>"I would rather leave things as they are," Okina says, "But once my dancers have received treatment, I suppose it doesn't matter, does it?" Satono looks a little confused at this statement, but says nothing.
>_
> " In the end it is alright as long as it is kept ias a well-resolved misunderstanding with its details vague."
>A bit concerned :"..Treatment?A True and Necessary Treatment or more of an Optional and Improving one?"
>"Oh, does it seem like your idea with Doremy is going to work?"
>"Well, if it doesn't work, keep in mind that my prior offer is still open. The Myouren temple has experience helping people with similar issues."
>"Well, better to keep your options open right?"
>Give her another pointed look.
>"I wouldn't underestimate Byakuren, she's pretty amazing."
>"Ah, do not mistake my doubts for underestimation," Okina says. "Your Byakuren is known to me."
>_
> Look to and Exchange Glances with Tojiko .
> Then ,Thoughtfully to Okina : " Oh...then is it a matter which sails good by requiring and bearing very specific and chosen " specialties" save for...mmmh... the off-chances? "
>"Ah, good. As she should be."
>"I can stop bothering you and go bother Yukari if you'd like."
>"Thank you for your time, I hope we can meet again on such friendly terms in the future."
>Be led away.
>"Alright."
>Hold our hand out for Tojiko and close our eyes once more.
>Open our eyes.
>Is Satono still here?
>Scan the area for aggressive felines.
>Drop our facade.
>"Drown it all Tojiko, I'm no good at being all diplomatic!"
>"If she double crosses me I'll find a way to sink her whole damnable door dimension!"
>Shake fist at sky.
>"Well, hopefully you won't get to."
>Lower our fist and pull out Stargazer's cactus.
>Address the cactus thusly "We're going to go talk to Yukari, who's the one who gave me this cactus and told me how to use it to get you out of wherever it is you were. Hopefully she'll have some idea of what's going on with us. She might want to talk to you though, just a heads up."
>You can feel a slight sense of acknowledgement from the cactus.
>_
> Start Proceeding in group to the Manor in Mayohiga.
> Add to Stargazer "Do not get discouraged if she ,or at least 1 shikigami of hers,is annoyed at first,since we have fairly important breakthroughs and ...
>... 1 of the most important was of course freeing and taking you to Gensokyo ,Stargazer;when reached,Yukari also helped greatly at that time when I first tried taking you back Gensokyo-Way with me ,before and without the present " Yukari's Focus-Cactus" with "some "shock afterward" ,by sensing&confirming we succeded AND revealing you were sorta in a dormant&incomplete shape ."
> While going,do this and warn Tojiko as well : stay alert if Ran or Chen ,Yukari's direct Fox Shikigami and indirect Cat Shikigami,confront us in any way,be ready to free-maneuvering just in case ,more likely for Chen's ,and especially to ...
...> explain we are here a bit early,as Okina's Last Favor ,for Yukari's Call-back ; the important reason is a fair chance to meet up coming up at the same time we have a fair share of breakthroughs to present&discuss. "
>"Huh, good eye. If she wants to leave us alone then that's fine by me."
>Continue to the manor that Yukari was inside before.
>Fly into the air and spin around in one motion.
>Is it Chen?
>Keep going up and try to get above the waves.
>"I'm really not in the mood for this you know, Yukari's basically expecting me anyway."
> If Tojiko could possess people, what would happen here if she possessed Chen?
>Back off and try to maneuver so that Chen is in between Tojiko and us.
>"Are you really sure you want to do this? Things didn't go well for you last time and this time it's two against one."
>Try to circle strafe around Chen to the other side of her, keeping the same amount of distance between us as much as possible.
>"Just calling it as I see it. I'll give you one more chance."
>Pull out our ladle thingy.
>Is there a house on the other side of the road past Chen?
>Is there a house on the other side of the road past Chen?
> Pursue Chen for her to be in range,be in range of Tojiko and above the 1st one with good awareness,
> Shout,and repeat if there is no come-back,and be alert :"For any non-mutual agreed Match or Spar,this 1 is on-board to be the Decisively EVEN,settled for the 3 of us WITH real-efforts to Avoid Knock-Out and Consider the After-Duel the Most Important Step...Hopefully, a Fair,Honest AND Redeeming Course ?"
> As Main Tactic-Strategy-Curse ""Juggle-Jostle-Cap-Sandwich as opportune ,to better "fill-out"our of 2 M.+T. vs 1 C. dueling-axis "" ; "account for and flow around" Chen's Danmaku,and, Overall, of Speed,Agility,Dash,Pointedness and Rashness.
> //(Very Please)//... What amount of Friendly "Danmaku" Damage ?Affecting also Related Danmaku-Enhanching and Duel-Boosting Abilities,like Our Marine Water-Like one together with Electrical Lighting-like? Gensokyo's Tag-Team or Multi-Duel Insights?
> Overall Danmanku -> MAXED WATERY AND DROPLETS.
> Close distance moderately,whenever we are able to hit and having at least some safe passage, , LAUNCH "Smaller&Uneven Trapping Net-Fish Danmaku Patterns" adapted-aimed to turn Chen's Speed&Agility&Dashes against her,both incl. her Danmaku,SAGELY MIXED Follow-Ups by Varying Sizes of "" MOSTLY-Patterned Enlarged Trapping Net-Fishes&Nets "" .
>"Alright, I guess we're doing this then."
>Send a spray of water droplet danmaku towards the corner of the house that Chen is angling for to try and cut her off, then speed up and try to get to the far side of the house that is perpendicular to the road.
>Is there any danmaku threatening us still?
>Look over at Tojiko to see what's going on with her.
She's probably offering to take care of the fight while you hurry ahead to talk to Yukari.
> Take Distance, do Last Check to Survey Incoming Danmaku to Dodge and Tojiko-Chen confrontation, then yell to Tojjko:"On my way, and Thanks since this means a speedier consult with Yukari. "
> Fly Fast to the Manor in Mayohiga.
> Progressively slow down the more we are near the Entrance, especially if we catch some sign of Ran or Yukari
>Do our best to look like we weren't about to beat up her cat.
>"Uh, hi."
>"Something to discuss. With Yukari, if that's alright."
>Follow her inside.
>To Ran: "Thanks."
>Enter the room.
>"Yeah, your cactus plan worked."
>"So, the fact that it worked. Does that tell you anything about what's going on here?"
>"So, the fact that it worked. Does that tell you anything about what's going on here?"
// Later and with tie-ins we should also be asking about Sakuya who visited Mayohiga fairly recently and should be coming back after a while(Ran's Confirmation),and who could have retured to the SDM ,and be mentioning if contacting Okina could still be helpful ( directly to us or indirectly to Yukari and Sakuya)//
> " And,more importantly, that "certain rider",who named herself Stargazer,is no longer stuck in "That Space Inside the Great Barrier "and is now able to travel Gensokyo,thanks to your Special Catcus".
> To Stargazer :" Stargazer,are you still willing to come out in front of Yukari?As we talked before,this is for thanking her and for,together,gauging our progress and be better prepared to make new ones".
> Back to Yukari :" Tojiko ,from the Taoist group,should also be here in virtue to her help and assistance ...she is in fact still helping pit right here andnow by... "
> Explain the previous situation we were in about "Chen wants to get even no matter what "and ask if she can be convinced to let up at some point so Tojiko can be reunite here with neither her or Chen ending up exhausted or embittered.
>"On its own, not in particular," says Yukari. "She merely needed something to possess. Hardly a surprise or a revelation in the end."
>Stargazer does not seem to be interested in manifesting right now.
>Yukari smiles, ever so slightly. "Chen has her pride, too. We'll see what she learns from this."
>_
> Thoughtfully: " It is however surprising that,so far,I am not pulled to There anymore and I seem to be able to access it with effort,also taking Stargazer with me,perphaps because what is There is...substantial...only regarding a few elements."
>"It's been quite a while since the last time I was pulled there against my will. And when I asked Patchouli for help she made some weird magical device to analyse stuff over there and being impatient to use it I tried to see if I could just go over there of my own will. Surprisingly it worked."
>"Had you tried it beforehand?" says Yukari, frowning thoughtfully.
>_
> " Never tried it before because I was just pulled There with some regularity but then, since "liberating" Stargazer,it had not happened for a while and at the same time we needed to go There so Patchouli's Monitoring Jewel could Monitor...
> "...Which it did and by that we discovered that There there are only 3 Substantial&Real Elements ..."
> "...them being that Unseen Clergy,as Patchouli described and which really is Unseen,Stargazer,who forcefully had to adapt to a Man-o-War form when Cactus-Less ,and myself,who was Pulled There but seemingly no longer."
>"So, we have no idea if you being able to draw yourself in is a new development or not," says Yukari. "Not as helpful as it first seems."
>She listens as you describe what the jewel found. "Unseen Cler-Oh! Oh, is that what Patchouli calls them? How adorable! Hm. And that is all she found?"
>_
>Don't say those things.
>"Patchouli didn't necessarily say that it was this 'unseen clergy' though. I think that was just one of her theories. The only things her device could tell about the water dimension was that only exactly one thing there actually exists, the rest isn't real. But not an illusion apparently, I couldn't quite wrap my head around it. I've definitely seen an entire underwater Gensokyo there."
>"I mean, Patchouli telling me was the first I knew of it, but I suppose I can keep my eyes open for it getting... uh... real."
>Yukari nods. "I have my suspicions in that regard. What else have you found?"
>_
> Pensive&Reflexive expression and tone: " ...Some Changes that There Has Been Becoming More Real Overtime... Aye... in the Sense of The Voyage and Environment Turning more Life-like the more times I have been dragged away ...Aye in That Sense which I can describe like This... "
> "... the more Real I Felt The Water Pressure , the more Really Drenched I Came back to Dear Gensokyo, the More Ocean Wildlife appeared, the More Real Buildings and Items within Mirrored from Gensokyo popped... "
>"... mind that only Building&Items' Deck stood true in that sense when I drew in there on my own the last time ... besides, as a parallel course... "
>"... your mentioning it is "Adorable" that Patchouli Named Them as "Unseen Clergies... " a confirmation you know better about them and That..."Formless Unseen Gazer"... is 1 Present&Acting ? "
>"Well, you are the expert onvague bullstrawberriesthese things, so I'll take your word for it. Speaking of experts on things, I did manage to ask an expert on dreams whether this might have anything to do with that, and the answer was no. But she did also say that she thought it might have something to with memories instead. And Suwako could tell that something was up with me, that I was 'snagged' on something, something that seemed familiar to her, but only so much as a half remembered dream. She also seemed to think it was young in some way."
>"Well, it was Doremy Sweet that I asked if you know of her. She apparently can pretty definitively tell who is and is not in dreams, and I haven't been. However she thought that it still seemed similar to a dream, and so could be someone, or something's, memories. But when I asked her more about the details of entering memories she didn't really have much to go off. Apparently it's not something that people do, at least as far as she's aware. So how or why I'd be doing so is still a complete unknown."
>"I don't remember if I told you before but there's an ominous presence in the water dimension that both Stargazer and I can feel. It's weird, it feels like it's aware of us, but not like it's focusing on us or cares about us at all. My theory is that whatever this presence is is the single 'real' thing there that Patchouli's device detected. And if we're assuming that this has something to do with memories, well, maybe the whole place is whatever it is's memory."
>"I don't remember if I told you before but there's an ominous presence in the water dimension that both Stargazer and I can feel. It's weird, it feels like it's aware of us, but not like it's focusing on us or cares about us at all. My theory is that whatever this presence is is the single 'real' thing there that Patchouli's device detected. And if we're assuming that this has something to do with memories, well, maybe the whole place is whatever it is's memory."
> "In addition, if it is of any help, I am unable to focus on what form It has or what It is doing as It feels to be absent whenever it is not Gazing interested about, and that has been the 1st of my noticing, My Encounters with Stargazer and Sometimes at The Beginnings of The Diving-ins ...
>... "although It must be more Active than Perceived, since Stargazer grew somehow accustomed to Its Gazing and showed surprise I took so long to notice It . "
>"She's quite shy, but she seems happy to be back in Gensokyo. She's decided to help me work out what's going on here."
>"Come to think of it she did seem to think that the trees were important, the ones in the water dimension I think."
>"Yeah it was definitely something to do with trees. Stargazer doesn't communicate with words, instead she communicates with, uh, concepts and emotions. It's hard to explain, and a little hard to understand at times."
>"Just that they might be a clue to what's going on. I suppose knowing now that I can go over there whenever I want I could go check and see if I can work out what she meant by it. And maybe if you saw me shift over there you might be able to get something out of that as well?"
>"Not even she seems to know."
>"Hmmm, well."
>Pull out the cactus and ask it "Do you mind if I tell her about the uh, Keine stuff?"
>Stargazer does not communicate with words, as you noted. But you can very easily translate the feelings she radiates as "Uuuugh"
>_
> Communicate feelings of :" For the sake that both I and could help sort this situation by better understanding how,or even why,did you end up Deep on Those Waters,it is depending on your description,feelings, about that,but if it is impossible we need to start with Her Situation..."
> Wait Without Pressuring ,then Add in the same way : " MMh...Maybe if you start by focusing again on ,adding the new experiences now gained,That Particular Tree both Important yet Frustratingly Vague to you when we I and Tojiko asked What You Remembered from Gensokyo ?"
>Give the cactus an apologetic look.
>"For what it's worth I'm pretty sure Yukari's not the type to go around blabbing about things for no good reason."
>Look over to Yukari for confirmation.
>"I am rather good at keeping confidences, yes," Yukari says.
>The cactus radiates a sense of being unready.
>_
>With encouraging understanding confidence to Stargazer :" How about step by step ,such as starting by explaining to us the differences between entering and staying There and Gensokyo ?"
>"I know you'd rather people know you as your own person but Yukari's got a pretty good chance of being able to work out how you ended up there."
>"Thank you, truly."
>Put the cactus away again and turn back to Yukari.
>"Don't worry, I don't think it's anything to be angry about."
>"So, Stargazer, which is kind of a nickname for the concept she identifies herself as, was originally part of Keine Kamishirasawa. Her hakutaku side to be specific."
>"Well see that's the thing. She was, but with the help of Utsuho Reiuji, Keine and Stargazer were reunited and became one again. And apparently both parties were happy with that. But then I found this Stargazer in this water dimension who doesn't want anything to do with Keine, who's perfectly happy to be her own person. And according to Keine her hakutaku part of her has been there since Utsuho helped her, and is still there right now. So there's kind of two Stargazers? One that's part of Keine and one that doesn't want to be part of Keine."
>Did Stargazer ever explain why there were two of her?
>"Well see that's the thing. She was, but with the help of Utsuho Reiuji, who found Stargazer at a mysterious tree somewhere, Keine and Stargazer were reunited and became one again. And apparently both parties were happy with that. But then Stargazer must have changed her mind because it seems she split off from Keine again without Keine knowing, but leaving Keine with her hakutaku powers. Then somehow went somewhere that wasn't Gensokyo, and then somehow ended up in this water dimension without knowing how."
>"Does that sum it up pretty well Stargazer?"
>"I guess so. I don't think she's ever had a physical body that's solely hers, unless there's something she hasn't told me."
>"I've been kind of curious about that myself."
>Ask the cactus "You mind telling us what happened in between leaving Keine and ending up where I found you?"
>"Hmm, let's try and break it down a bit. Where did you first go after leaving Keine?"
>"So you it's not like you went anywhere, as soon as you left Keine you didn't know where you were?"
>"Was there anything identifying about where you were at all?"
>"Did anything happen between then and ending up in the weird water dimension I found you in?"
>"Ah, that sounds like it was terrible. Was there someone or something there that caused you such tumultuous seas?"
>"Huh, if anything could be Patchouli's Unseen Clergy that would be it I guess. What do you make of all that so far Yukari?"
You can feel...crowding...intrusion...heat, anger; desire. Reaching, always reaching.
>"Oh, just to check, can you feel what Stargazer is saying?"
>"Stargazer, could you make out anything about these people?"
This is perhaps not entirely but possibly largely a reference to the "final boss" of Yukari Quest, which was a bizarre combination of a forgotten tree deity and millions of unused memories from Utsuho Quest's Gensokyo Isle (which is where Stargazer first appeared) as well as possibly components of The Construct from Reisen Quest. Given you are talking to Yukari, it may be worth describing these things; the "Reaching, always reaching" in particular is likely to set something off inside her mind.
>The response is another dense bundle of feelings. You can feel...crowding...intrusion...heat, anger; desire. Reaching, always reaching. Things that don't make sense. There's more in the bundle, buried too deep to really sense, but it just leaves you feeling confused.
>_
> " Mmmh...is the most standing-out and more clear "Happenings by Those Someones"to you,Stargazer,that"Reaching,always reaching" or something,or even somethings,else?"
>"Did they do anything to you?"
>"Did anything else happen that you remember?"
>"So, when you left Keine you were whisked away to who knows where, and there were people there but you don't know who they were and they didn't do anything to you. Then you were tumbled around like a piece of driftwood in a storm, barely able to tell what was going on. Then evenutally something broke and when you woke up you found yourself where I found you. Does that sound more or less correct?"
>"The people weren't necessarily at the start of the whole thing?"
>"Hmm, did it all happen quite quickly, or were you tumbling around for a while?"
>"Alright, any thoughts now Yukari?"
>"I guess not? Even before I was first pulled over there though I was filled with a terrible sense of dread, which I can still feel even now. And I don't really appreciate forcibly being dragged into some other dimension."
>We can still feel it right?
>"She seemed to think that trees could be a clue to what's going on, both a specific tree and maybe also the trees in the water dimension, is that right Stargazer?"
>"Utsuho talked about a tree where she found Stargazer, 'a long way off from about everything', but she also said she doesn't think that tree exists any more. I think Stargazer's clue had more to do with a specific type of tree, maybe the ones in the water dimension?"
>"Yeah, uh, in hindsight I probably should have asked her for some more detail about that.">Ehehehe tongue pokey out face.
>"Is... something bothering you?"
// We still need to remember that Sakuya's Involment Here (and bedore during "Sakuya Quest's Endgame "has to be related),and it has to be asked about to Yukari " at a Proper Occasion during This Meeting "//
> Apologize to Yukari for ,innocently,needing to impose a complicated issue and stress to her quite close to Her Resting Period.
> Recall :What kind of Trees and which particular details bore those materialized "In The Waters Between the Barrier ... "
> ...after a bit of Entering Gensokyo,and being asked,Stargazer tried remembering&focusing and it resulted in mentioning that "That Important Tree from Her Gensokyo ...
>...then she did point out to the Trees of Gensokyo and ,most importanly,she did point out to A General Direction To Follow...
> Mention Those 3Points to Stargazer and ask if she is able to further help on those.
> Recall That General Direction and Possible Destinations Related.
> Give some pause to Yukari,then ,with additional pauses in-between,mention it all.
>"Ah, sorry to cause you a hassle."
>"Stargazer, what is it about the trees that makes you think they might be important?"
>"No no, this hassle has been going on well before you stepped into Mayohiga, I assure you," Yukari says.
>You try to coax more information out of Stargazer. You can feel her trying to focus, and frustration. There is a sense that it's not just one tree, but many. A particular type, maybe? You aren't sure. She's rather upset with herself right now.
>_
> to Yukari : "...Maybe there is a Correspondence between when That Hassle began and the time mine initiated,or possibly the moment when they both turned stormy ..."
> When did we experience the " First Displacement"? How long has it been ?
> To Stargazer :" Be Charitably Patience with yourself,being Upset is but a Detriment, and Enlightened answers won't be shying away. "
> Wait for Stargazer to regain her calm and ask " If it is of help to your much appreciated efforts , if many Trees were crowding,and as you noted you were thrown amongst a crowd, is it perhaps a Forest or a Copse... Each one Distinguished...Whole Uprooted Trees from the Roots Up? "
>"Is it the tree where Utsuho found you?"
>"Do you mean it's not that tree or that Utsuho's wrong about the tree?"
> To Yukari :" Well,This Displacing Hassle,The Hassling Parts I mean, has started from this mid-morning..."
> To Stargazer:"At the time you were s remembered about That Tree,or Trees,you also managed to point out at a Specific Direction..."
> "...could you ,if no new prob has emerged,trying to point it up again from here ?"
>"Do you remember seeing one of these important trees in the water dimension?"
>Do a double take, and look at Yukari slightly surprised.
>"Wait, what did you know about this before I showed up?"
>"Could you tell there was something going on with me, or is there something bigger going on here?"
>"It's been a problem all day, I assure you..." Yukari says. She sounds more tired than before, perhaps she is letting her mask slip a bit.
>Stargazer excitedly agrees when you ask where she saw them. There is a sense of certainty.
>_
> Turn to look at Yukari with a gaze and expression,joined with a lowering of the head,of apology and emphaty.
> To Stargazer approvingly and encouragingly :" Very good to fish that out ,my friend."
>" And, may you fish out as well Any Link or Reminescence or Direction Whatsover related to Those Trees,which are indeed by Japanese Inland, to The True Gensokyo or to the...oh...The Other Gensokyo ;
> " Anything Else of Possible Correspondence from " Down Ther in Them Watery Barriers " and The Good Breezy Outsides."
> Whenever there is Silence ,strain our ears and senses out to "radar" any Noise,Voice,Inklings related either to Tojko or Tojiko-Chen-Ran.
>Stargazer feels a bit pleased with herself.
>Listening, you can't really hear anything outside...ah, but there is someone coming down the hall outside?
>_
> To Stargazer :" For even nicer help, is it possible you could also feel some link or resemblance or reminescienceof Those Trees,or anything else from Those Watery Depths,True Gensokyo here,and possibly that Other Gensokyo?"
> To Yukari" Is someone coming from the hall outside ?"
> Turn and approach that direction following that noise,though do not exit the room and make way if it is approaching closer and closer.
>"Oh, hello Sakuya. Whether I wanted to or not I seem to have been thrown into the deep of things. I didn't realise I was setting you up for so much trouble when I delivered that letter."
>Do we know a miss Onozuka?
>Shudder.
>"I sure hope Komachi and her crew don't get involved, having to deal with them makes me... uncomfortable."
>"It is nothing to worry about," says Sakuya. "This is something I've been wondering about for awhile."
>"So, what did you find?" Yukari says.
>"Miss Onozuka was in a fairly excitable mood, and seemed to believe I was accusing her of being up to something at first," Sakuya says. "But afterward, she was able to confirm that she didn't know of any irregularities in the movement of the the dead."
>"Mmm, good," says Yukari.
>_
//Motivations: Health-MeaningfulPandemics Re-scheduling+Adaptions /REAL LIFE&FAMILY-FAMILY MEMBERS-RELATIVES-NEIGHBOURHOOD-SLEEP&WAKE EQUILIBRIUMS...at Partly-Grave Intensity) //
>Flinch and gape a bit but steer ourselves steadily,To Sakuya:"...Miss Onozuka, Komachi...and Sanzu and. Crossing Higan-Related... if ,nothing really irregular There provisions close to The Living Side and thus.. "
> Make Mental Note about "Muenzuka's Potentialities"
> Turn and in an. Askance Look to Yukari"... Muenzuka's Zones or Parties of Them. with their Potentiallh Thinned Barrier&Boundaries and Specia Itemln, could be a potential new lead or part of a breakthrough? "
> Soft Fist-Palm:" Another linked and much appreciated help ,to the extent Iyou are able to know...On your way here,is there any sign or visual of Lighting, Sparks,Rumbling of Tojiko,'s Trademark Lighting Danmaku?
She has rightly insisted and has now been be taking my place gainst a Motivated Score-Settling Bent Chen, since her Last Loss with me, so I could Focus on More Important Meeting and Insights with Yukari, which is currently the. 2nd Anticipated One"
> "you know... becajse I am quite Grateful and Well-Meaning that she,Tojiko, after having heard out and understood My Troubles and Unique Ghostly Pickle, has been helping and accompanying quite a bit starting from the Human Village until now quite a bit nor leverages or gains or rewards to be promised but rather Time and Dissance Spent spent... on top with Risks of Lingering Buddhist-Taoist Rivalry and Distrust... "
>"That's a relief."
>Wait and see if Sakuya and Yukari have anything else to say to each other.
>"Did Yukari fill you in on what's going on with me?"
>"Something is, but I don't think we know what it is. My thoughts for a next move were to give the trees over there a closer look, and also if you have any ideas of how to interact with ever-present but not at all visible beings to give trying to interact with that in some way a shot."
>"Well, Yukari might have some ideas."
>Look at Yukari expectantly.
>"I still think it's a good idea for me to head over there and have a look at these trees while I'm here, in case I discover anything important."
>"Go over there?" Sakuya says. "Go where?"
>"It's complicated," says Yukari. "But, I do think exploration may be the next step."
>_
> To Sakuya: "Patchouli can explain more insights than this, since it has picked her Interest in a Research-Visit, justly became 1 of her Active Research...however to Try and Explain It Fairly as a Rocky Foundation, both in the best meaning and in the negative
one...
> "... so far as understood, Down There is actually in a sort of Pocket-Space Dimension between the Folds of the Great Hakurei Barrier and Boundary, but in The Full Environment of an Ocean Bottom Floor, and so Literally Sunken and Watery-Flooded with Memories, Wills, Illusive and Real-like and at the center The Real Entity... A Cloaking, Pressuring, Unseen Gazing Presence...Unseen. Incorporeal, Formless. "
>"Oh for that to be of Value... Shall I take something back, In Explorations, or Try Leaving Something There and Then Retrieve it, in particular Linked The Stargazer's Tree but I am "Open Ports to Advices" ; Of Course particular interacting potentially possible are within "Those Open Ports".
> Turn to Stargazer with an Encouraging Smile : How is She is Relating?
>"By over there I mean the weird water world that I've been getting dragged into. I've managed to go over there once willingly to use a device Patchouli gave me, and I should be able to again."
>"Anything else you think I should try and check out while I'm there Yukari?"
>"Any medium? Like floating eyes or something? I don't think I've seen anything like that."
>"Alright, I'll keep an eye out. Here I go."
>Unless either of them stop us, close our eyes and focus on being in the weird water world, making sure we've got Stargazer's cactus in our possession.
>"Okay Stargazer, let's go and find one of these trees of yours."
>She slowly manifests from her cactus, and radiates disappointment as she sees that she has taken on the shape of a jellyfish once more. Then she nods to you.
>_
> Try to reach and touch the floating kotatsu.
> Try to take it with us or, if too cumbersome, any single object portable and recognizable enough.
> Exit the Building.
> If a Particular Presence is felt, Stop and Try and Focus on it, otherwise proceed outside to look for, or maybe have a feeling about, "The Stargazer's Trees" and "Possible Watching Mediums".
>"Lead the way, you'll have a better idea of what we're looking for than I do."
>"You can't see any of the trees you're looking for?"
>Look around for trees.
>There are a fair few trees dotting the mountainside, a few forests here and there.
>Stargazer radiates uncertainty in response.
>_
> Approach the Nearest Single Tree first ...
> ...how is it planted and sprouting from the "ground"?
> To Stargazer encouragingly :" Do not get discouraged and disoriented;consider that Those Trees we are looking "Sprouted" There in the Sunken Human Village after it " Materialized" ,after we visited it quite a few times and due to External Displacements , whereas Here at the Sunken Mayohiga Mansion with its Mountainous Forested Areas we are at Our First Visit and On Our Own Exploration ".
>"So it's not just any old tree here? Do you remember any places that you saw them before?"
>Spin around.
>"Bwuh!?"
>"You should have said you were going to try and follow me! Nearly scared me back to death."
>"Oh, Sakuya too. Welcome to Gensokyo but wet."
>Make a sweeping gesture with our hand.
>Do we feel like we are being watched?
>"There is definitely still something here that is... aware of me."
>"It doesn't seem to notice me, we'll assume," says Yukari.
>"I don't feel a thing at all," says Sakuya, as she looks along the distant, flooded vista.
>_
> " Maybe feelings of Its Awareness could be perceptible and in Indirect Modus, sort of centered around myself or Stargazer... after a while... "
> ".. It took "A While of Exploring Trips" before That Unseen Clergy took a casual " Interest ", but yet more intense, than the Current One interest... well after the Fishes,and Men o' War...
>"... only afterwards Successive Meetings with a Very Special Man O' War, turning out to be our successive to Our Stargazer, The Unseen Clergy was somehow " on my mapping" ".
> To Stargazer: " To be Sure, do you stil notice that... persistent hard to pin down... feeling of awareness on you or even the both of us, in this moment you are zoning in on The Special Tree? "
>"Well Stargazer reckons that there aren't any of her suspicious trees around here, so probably worth trying to find somewhere we can find them."
>Look to Stargazer to see if she's had any luck remembering.
>"Troublesome," says Yukari. "Do you know where that might be?"// Well, it won't be as straightforward and faster-linking as we 2 are explaining&aiming for but doable nonethless ; to proceed, after a"triple check" and a few insightsts of course, to a Self-Displacement in an angle of The Human Village's Angle, to Usefully investigate and find&elaborate back results//
>_
// Well, it won't be as straightforward and faster-linking as we 2 are explaining&aiming for but doable nonethless ; to proceed, after a"triple check" and a few insightsts of course, to a Self-Displacement in an angle of The Human Village's Angle, to Usefully investigate and find&elaborate back results//
> Reminesce That Single Instance of The First Underwater Tree with "Its Afterwards-Appering Companions... "
> Fist Palm: "The Sunken Copied Human Village's Inner Courtyard...That Fake Village is the Place I and then I and Stargazer explored the most because most of the "Pull-Downs"were indeed while in The True Human Village... "
>... More precisely during the " Later Explorations " That had been the first and only time&place we had clearly seen A Tree Strangely Down Here, Strangely also due to No Tree or such to be Mirrored from the True Human Village... ".
> "... Interesting Note is that at the Same Time&Occasion, but with The Important Difference Those Appearend Only After-Clear-See of That First Tree and that Our Gensokyo-Return was Right After Their Sprung-Up ,a Bunch of Similar Trees Appeared ".
> To Stargazer for "Triple-Check": " Is it all Correct and, more importantly, are there particular Aiding Edges for you, Stargazer my friend?
>Stargazer just seems lost.
>_
> Look at the trees in the area: are they "complete" with a grass bed or...?
> To Stargazer: " it is when you tried helping me by thinking hard what specifically in " The Water World" could be "interfering" with me, and that came out as " The Trees" but not Gensokyo's you were gazing since you pointed out to "Those Trees in The Water World"...
>"... coincidentially it happened after we had found A Few Trees Mysteriously, due to never having seen them during exploring and being planted through the Ocean Bottom, Springing Up from the grounds of " The Sunken Human Village ""
> Are there Other Buildings, besides Mayohiga's Mansion?
// I hope this is beneficial https://www.shrinemaiden.org/forum/index.php?topic=22258.630
//
>"Maybe if we went back to where I originally found you? It was around this world's Eientei I think."
>Can we travel as fast as if we're flying here or does the water slow us down?
>"Well, this place seems to have the same layout as Gensokyo, so we could just make our way over Eientei way and see if Stargazer sees any of these trees on the way."
>Does Eientei have any trees or is it just the bamboo?
>Would there be any forests between here and Eientei?
>"Well we can take a detour past the Forest of Magic, there's certainly a lot of trees there."
>"We can do that," says Yukari. "Hmmm. shall we start around Misty Lake? Perhaps Kourindou? The road into the forest?"// Misty Lake, then? //
>_
> " It is but but by an humble intuition but... Around Misty Lake sounds like the most agreeable venture as head-starting, also because, if not mostly, Stargazer did feel a "homing-in Intuition Eastwards" starting from the Tree Forest Close There... ".
>Begin moving in the general direction of Misty Lake at a speed that Yukari and Sakuya can keep up with, keeping low enough to the ground (bottom?) that Stargazer can get a good look at any incidental trees.
>Begin moving in the general direction of Misty Lake at a speed that Yukari and Sakuya can keep up with, keeping low enough to the ground (bottom?) that Stargazer can get a good look at any incidental trees.
>You start to take off, but Yukari says, "Wait."
>She then produces a fan and draws it across the air, leaving a purple trail that opens into a gap into the water. "I don't feel like waiting all that long.Come come, through the gap now. Close your eyes. You too, Stargazer."
>_
>"I don't need your help you lily livered landlubber!"
>Stab the gap.