Neo Gensokyo Quest - Part 6

[Neovereign]

Whoever has a view:

> Is Saki conscious?
> If so, how does she look, and is she restrained?

Seki:

> No.
> She isn't restrained, at least. Doesn't look that hurt?
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "Well, that might make things easier, actually."
> Hop out of the cart.
> "Because that suggests you're Yuuma, the last person I came here to see on Gensokyo's behalf."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "Well, that might make things easier, actually."
> Hop out of the cart.
> "Because that suggests you're Yuuma, the last person I came here to see on Gensokyo's behalf."

Aya:

> You disembark.
> "Doesn't have to do with taking Kurokoma with you though, does it? Unless you're saying you didn't get the chance to meet her yet?"
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "She actually owes me my prize for beating her in a race just now. But a lot of things would work out at once if you two simply both came with us."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "She actually owes me my prize for beating her in a race just now. But a lot of things would work out at once if you two simply both came with us."

Aya:

> "Nah. I've got things to do down here. What would even be in it for me?"
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "An opportunity to shape the forward progress of Gensokyo and its surrounding realms in the wake of reality's recent changes."

Seki:

> "Or, on a more personal scale, new info on Yachie."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "An opportunity to shape the forward progress of Gensokyo and its surrounding realms in the wake of reality's recent changes."

Seki:

> "Or, on a more personal scale, new info on Yachie."

Aya:

> "What's having us there going to be useful for. It's not like we've been to Gensokyo much. You're expecting us to shape that place when we don't even know it's recent happenings right now?"
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "Gensokyo's currently trying to work out how it wants to proceed in the wake of those changes to reality. If they want to move forward and let them be the new normal, if they want to try to undo them, things like that. Since the surrounding realms were also affected, it stands to reason that whatever changes Gensokyo tries to make will also affect those surrounding realms, including yours. I'm here to offer you the opportunity to have a voice in that decision-making process, if for no other reason than to make sure that, whatever Gensokyo decides to do, it doesn't bring harm to the Animal Realm."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "Gensokyo's currently trying to work out how it wants to proceed in the wake of those changes to reality. If they want to move forward and let them be the new normal, if they want to try to undo them, things like that. Since the surrounding realms were also affected, it stands to reason that whatever changes Gensokyo tries to make will also affect those surrounding realms, including yours. I'm here to offer you the opportunity to have a voice in that decision-making process, if for no other reason than to make sure that, whatever Gensokyo decides to do, it doesn't bring harm to the Animal Realm."

Aya:

> Megumu suddenly covers your mouth partway through.
> "On second thought, you guys look like you do things different here. Why don't you chat with miss Sekibanki here and tell us how different things are while we... consider how to propose this?" Megumu explains, dragging you towards the cart.
> "You guys continue carrying Saki, then." The horned girl gestures to the spirits.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "Mmphmm!"
> Comedically flail in a vain attempt to not get dragged back.

Seki:

> Look at the quarrelling tengu, then back at the horned woman.
> "Uh."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "Mmphmm!"
> Comedically flail in a vain attempt to not get dragged back.

Seki:

> Look at the quarrelling tengu, then back at the horned woman.
> "Uh."

Aya:

> Megumu finally removes her hand as she gets you out of earshot.
> "I don't know if you noticed, but she was giving me a similar sensation to you." Megumu explains. "Ami, Suzaku, do either of you notice such too?"
> "There's two Ayas." Suzaku suggests.

Ami:

> You don't think you get what she's worried about. You can kinda feel Aya wanting something from your group, but maybe that's just her missing her size. Then again... why would you feel such a thing, you can't read her mind. Unless she's trying to ask you to provide her with something instead?

Seki:

> "So, Sekibanki, huh? Is it just you all here? You don't seem like humans." The horned woman speaks.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> Quietly: "Do you mean the horned woman or the unconscious woman?"

Ami:

> Quietly "I'm not sure...for some reason, I feel like Miss Aya has expectations of me. Well, I mean, of course she does, but beyond the normal. It's more than just knowing, it's an actual sensation of some kind."

Aya:

> ...Are we currently expecting anything from our cutie subordinates?

---

Seki:

> "It is, and we're not. Near as I can tell, the humans are strictly incidental to all this. I've heard that there's been a very recent uptick of human spirits in the Animal Realm? Apparently there's been an uptick of humans in other realms adjacent to Gensokyo too. They might all be connected to whatever changed."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> Quietly: "Do you mean the horned woman or the unconscious woman?"

Ami:

> Quietly "I'm not sure...for some reason, I feel like Miss Aya has expectations of me. Well, I mean, of course she does, but beyond the normal. It's more than just knowing, it's an actual sensation of some kind."

Aya:

> ...Are we currently expecting anything from our cutie subordinates?

---

Seki:

> "It is, and we're not. Near as I can tell, the humans are strictly incidental to all this. I've heard that there's been a very recent uptick of human spirits in the Animal Realm? Apparently there's been an uptick of humans in other realms adjacent to Gensokyo too. They might all be connected to whatever changed."

Aya:

> No, not really. At most, you're hoping Saki wakes up to settle her end of the deal.

Seki:

> "Oh, huh. You must be pretty strong to decide to come to the animal realm. That or believing you can manage out of any trouble."
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> Scrunch up our face in mild confusion.
> "I don't think I want anything specific out of you in the immediate..."
> Look back to Boss.
> "Maybe it's an effect of whichever of those two you're talking about?"

---

Seki:

> "I'll be honest, I'm just the driver. I had no expectations coming in. Frankly, after that other horned woman with the tail brainwashed your unconscious captive into trying to kill me with a dropkick while that equally-brainwashed haniwa soldier held me in place, I'm more than ready to get the hell out of here and never come back. ...No offense."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> Scrunch up our face in mild confusion.
> "I don't think I want anything specific out of you in the immediate..."
> Look back to Boss.
> "Maybe it's an effect of whichever of those two you're talking about?"

---

Seki:

> "I'll be honest, I'm just the driver. I had no expectations coming in. Frankly, after that other horned woman with the tail brainwashed your unconscious captive into trying to kill me with a dropkick while that haniwa soldier held me in place, I'm more than ready to get the hell out of here and never come back. ...No offense."

Aya:

> Megumu shrugs.
> "Just a bit of worry is all... I didn't think it'd ruin your talk to pull you away, at least. If you think it's nothing, we can just go back and resume where we left off."

Saki:

> "You met Yachie, huh?" The horned girl approaches. "Was it that bad?"
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> Frown a bit.
> Quietly: "I can't tell you if I think it's something or nothing until you tell me which of those two ladies you're talking about. If it's Saki, it's probably nothing worrying, she's fine. If it's Yuuma, then I don't know."

---

Seki:

> Does she seem to be threatening in her advancing?
> Hop out of the cart, but don't approach any further than that.
> "The first thing she did when I got there was brainwash that other tengu that was talking to you just now. ...Then I admit freaked out a little and might've retaliated more than was necessary in retrospect. Then it escalated and I almost died."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> Frown a bit.
> Quietly: "I can't tell you if I think it's something or nothing until you tell me which of those two ladies you're talking about. If it's Saki, it's probably nothing worrying, she's fine. If it's Yuuma, then I don't know."

---

Seki:

> Does she seem to be threatening in her advancing?
> Hop out of the cart, but don't approach any further than that.
> "The first thing she did when I got there was brainwash that other tengu that was talking to you just now. ...Then I admit freaked out a little and might've retaliated more than was necessary in retrospect. Then it escalated and I almost died."

Aya:

> "Well I'm pretty sure it's not the one currently unconscious." Megumu crosses her arms.

Seki:

> No. Almost seems like she's trying to check if you're hurt.
> You hop off.
> "Sounds like you'd better watch yourself." The girl raises a hand, as if expecting something. Though one of the nearby spirits drops something into her hand, to which the girl eats. "Or maybe I can just take them both out now while I have the chance?"
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Ami:

> Do we still have that sensation after Aya told us she has no particular expectations of us in the immediate?
> If so, can we tell anything about what she might want from us? Or can we only tell that she wants something?

Aya:

> Cross our arms in return.
> Quietly: "Hey, we don't know what these women can do."
> Quietly: "That being said, I did notice that the horned woman's spirits are birds. Saki's were wolves, and Yachie's were something else that wasn't birds. Maybe she has some kind of affinity with birds? I don't think I've ever seen a bird with horns like that, though."

---

Seki:

> Can we tell what the consumed object was?
> "Well, that's the thing. The information I mentioned is that it sounds like Yachie has unlocked something about herself. Based on the success of her mind control attempts before her talking about it and the success of her mind control attempts after it, I'd believe it. If you're gonna make a move, keep that in mind."

[Neovereign]

Ami:

> Do we still have that sensation after Aya told us she has no particular expectations of us in the immediate?
> If so, can we tell anything about what she might want from us? Or can we only tell that she wants something?

Aya:

> Cross our arms in return.
> Quietly: "Hey, we don't know what these women can do."
> Quietly: "That being said, I did notice that the horned woman's spirits are birds. Saki's were wolves, and Yachie's were something else that wasn't birds. Maybe she has some kind of affinity with birds? I don't think I've ever seen a bird with horns like that, though."

---

Seki:

> Can we tell what the consumed object was?
> "Well, that's the thing. The information I mentioned is that it sounds like Yachie has unlocked something about herself. Based on the success of her mind control attempts before her talking about it and the success of her mind control attempts after it, I'd believe it. If you're gonna make a move, keep that in mind."

Ami:

> Not anymore, you don't think so.

Aya:

> "We could probably ask?" Megumu suggests.

Seki:

> No. Was it something small, maybe?
> The woman hesitates.
> "Can you explain more in detail? I'm starting to second guess if dominating her is possible..." She turns. "Hey, bring Saki back."
> The spirits turn around and start to bring the Aya lookalike back to her.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> Quietly: "I'd be fine with that."
> Give a small grin.
> Quietly: "By the way, Boss, you were enjoying your time in there, weren't you?"

---

Seki:

> "Ah, let me think...okay, so, when I first got there, she told everyone to prostrate themselves before her. Saki flinched but didn't obey. The haniwa soldier obeyed but clearly wasn't happy with it. The second time, without her saying a word, both of them gladly followed instructions to take me out, with Saki claiming they made a deal, and the haniwa saying she was obeying her master's orders to keep me safe by preventing me from going anywhere else in this realm."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> Quietly: "I'd be fine with that."
> Give a small grin.
> Quietly: "By the way, Boss, you were enjoying your time in there, weren't you?"

---

Seki:

> "Ah, let me think...okay, so, when I first got there, she told everyone to prostrate themselves before her. Saki flinched but didn't obey. The haniwa soldier obeyed but clearly wasn't happy with it. The second time, without her saying a word, both of them gladly followed instructions to take me out, with Saki claiming they made a deal, and the haniwa saying she was obeying her master's orders to keep me safe by preventing me from going anywhere else in this realm."

Aya:

> "I didn't enjoy being knocked out much, no." Megumu responds.

Seki:

> "Tch. That complicates things. She's practically untouchable then if she can just will that sort of thing. Kurokoma Saki."
> As the Ayalike is brought to her, you notice her soul leave her body, and float into the horned girl's hand.
> "Yeah, this isn't enough, she's still all there..." The horned girl sends it back towards Saki's body.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "Well, no, I imagine not. But I meant the part after that."

---

Seki:

> Frown a bit.
> "You can do that too? Yachie just about went feral when I tried it. Does she not know you can do it?"

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "Well, no, I imagine not. But I meant the part after that."

---

Seki:

> Frown a bit.
> "You can do that too? Yachie just about went feral when I tried it. Does she not know you can do it?"

Aya:

> "Ah, it sounds like they're bringing your new friend back. Maybe they had a change of heart." Megumu shifts the conversation, starting for the front of the cart again.

Seki:

> "If I get a taste of something, I can make it mine. It's gotten better recently, but I still don't think this is enough to deal with Yachie..."
> Saki starts to wake up, and quickly jumps as she does.
> "Ugh, you - You ruined my match!" Saki points at the horned woman.
> "Shouldn't have steered so far out here then." The girl shrugs.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Seki:

> Look confused and mildly concerned at the horned woman's apparent confession that she's tasted Saki.

Aya:

> Hop out of the cart.
> "Is that why you suddenly vanished? I got pretty worried."

Ami:

> How did being in Aya's chest feel?
> Look to Suzaku while remaining in the cart and letting more important people take care of things.
> "Hey there, sleepyhead."

[Neovereign]

Seki:

> Look confused and mildly concerned at the horned woman's apparent confession that she's tasted Saki.

Aya:

> Hop out of the cart.
> "Is that why you suddenly vanished? I got pretty worried."

Ami:

> How did being in Aya's chest feel?
> Look to Suzaku while remaining in the cart and letting more important people take care of things.
> "Hey there, sleepyhead."

Seki:

> You blink. You wonder if that was Aya's rushing around.

Aya:

> You head back to the front.
> "Bastard stole my speed." Saki then turns. "I had built up so much too, and was exceeding it every step, yet you kept ahead like you were toying with me. Guess your supposed reputation as fastest stays true. But I still wanted to try and pass you at least by a hair."
> "Well I was testing something too, then. Since we both were, can we really blame each other? I'd say we let bygones be bygones and go our separate ways." The horned women says.

Ami:

> Not much different than the previous times...
> "Yes?" Suzaku questions.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "Honestly, I was convinced you were going to overtake me, and was just doing my own thing and hoping for the best because I was out of ideas. I have no idea what it was about our travel methods that kept you just a step behind."
> Look back to Yuuma.
> "You sure you don't want to come with us?"

Ami:

> So, a comfortable feeling, or a nothing feeling?
> "How are you feeling after your nap?"

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "Honestly, I was convinced you were going to overtake me, and was just doing my own thing and hoping for the best because I was out of ideas. I have no idea what it was about our travel methods that kept you just a step behind."
> Look back to Yuuma.
> "You sure you don't want to come with us?"

Ami:

> So, a comfortable feeling, or a nothing feeling?
> "How are you feeling after your nap?"

Aya:

> "Maybe. I'd be leaving my alliance to fend for themselves against Saki and Yachie if I do. Not to mention that idol goddess hasn't made a big move yet, and I feel like she might."
> "Same issue on my part. Why don't all four of us go and call a temporary truce?" Saki suggests.
> "Because then the humans down here will try something." The horned woman explains. "Not to mention that goddess still having a pretty strong subordinate."
> "Ah, right..."

Ami:

> The latter. Though it was a bit of something comfortable when you were pulled out, at least.
> "Better." Suzaku smiles a bit.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "I mean, the other major names Hecatia mentioned could also come with the two of you. That cart's roomier than you might think."

Seki:

> Frown.
> "I'm not going anywhere near Yachie again without assurances she won't try to kill me."

Ami:

> Smile a bit in response.
> "Good."
> "...So, uh...sorry for asking you to do that weird stuff with me."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "I mean, the other major names Hecatia mentioned could also come with the two of you. That cart's roomier than you might think."

Seki:

> Frown.
> "I'm not going anywhere near Yachie again without assurances she won't try to kill me."

Ami:

> Smile a bit in response.
> "Good."
> "...So, uh...sorry for asking you to do that weird stuff with me."

Aya:

> "Again, we can't afford to leave with the current state of things here." The horned girl says.

Seki:

> "Intimidate her into backing off, then." The horned girl suggests. "You could totally do so with your abilities. I get the feeling you're being too much of a pushover."

Ami:

> "It's alright. We're both fine now."
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Seki:

> "I'd rather just be left alone by everyone, frankly."

Aya:

> "Mmm...given the geopolitical state of this realm, I suppose I can understand everyone involved not wanting to divert forces away for an extended period of time without assurances that nothing bad will happen while they're gone. Though, truth be told, Saki, I was going to offer you that trip to visit Lady Toyosatomimi even if I had won. And, uh, I did kind of promise your giant wolf that I'd let them back into the comfortable place..."