Seija Quest

[Tom]

> "...Well, that sure happened..."

> Everyone's pretty much still staring in disbelief, while others take another look at their spell cards when the Hakurei maiden steps up to the donation box.
> "Now now, surely none of you are going to believe this ... toy right?  Surely there's an explanation for the spell cards, like the Tengu are pretty stealthy and resourceful and I wouldn't put it past Aya to gather random information like this...  It was only because of the papers you all found out about this so called 'competition' so there's no doubt the Tengu are in on it!"

> "Is that so~?" Rumia remarks

[Kilgamayan]

> Does Reimu have a card?

[Tom]

> Does Reimu have a card?

> You see her holding one in her hand.  She and Suika must've picked them up while you were inside experimenting with entity sensing.

[Kilgamayan]

> "Maybe, but you got a card too, didn't you?"

[Tom]

> "Maybe, but you got a card too, didn't you?"

> She looks at the card and happily tells you "Indeed, but there's nothing in here people don't already know about the Hakurei Shrine Maiden!"

> There's mixed responses to this, with some nodding in agreement and others in disagreement...

[Kilgamayan]

> Pull out our card and look at it again.

[Tom]

> Pull out our card and look at it again.

> You pull out your card to look at it.  It's initially dark but quickly regains it's shimmer and shows the same things as last time.

[Kilgamayan]

> Frown slightly in puzzlement.
> Look up and see what others have to say.

[Tom]

> Frown slightly in puzzlement.
> Look up and see what others have to say.

> You wait warmly while everyone quietly discusses the possible involvement of the Tengu in this unprecedented affair!

> Suika clumsily steps up next to Reimu (knocking over a few bottles on the way)
> "Hey no use thinkin' too hard about thi-this!  I probably won't re-remember any of this in the mornin', so ple-please do-- I mean don't remind me!"

> Following that everyone just slowly disperses into small groups, each speculating on what the meaning of all this might me. 
> Shortly after the sky clears and the calming light of the full moon shines upon the Hakurei Shrine.

[Kilgamayan]

> How does the moon look?
> Are people leaving, or is the party still going?

[Tom]

> How does the moon look?

> Beautiful

> Are people leaving, or is the party still going?

> The only one who appears to be leaving is the village's schoolteacher, she mentioned something about not wanting to get too carried away from the booze and be late to work tomorrow.

[Kilgamayan]

> Run after her before she leaves.

[Tom]

> Run after her before she leaves.

> As she starts walking down the shrine's steps you decide to run after her... but by the time you arrive she's gone!
> She probably heard you and ran off...  Can't blame her wanting to get a night's sleep, especially if she's got class tomorrow!

[Kilgamayan]

> Bah...
> Is there anyone in our immediate vicinity?

[Tom]

> Bah...
> Is there anyone in our immediate vicinity?

> Alice, Yukari, Yuyuko and Youmu are approaching the steps with the half ghost carrying a Mahjong set.

> Sanae and Rinnosuke are nearby deep in conversation

> Everyone else has returned to what they were doing before that silly doll decided to interrupt.

[Kilgamayan]

> Oop! Scoot out of their way.

[Tom]

> Oop! Scoot out of their way.

> You move over for them sit down on the steps where Youmu starts setting up a Mahjong game.  After a moment of doubt where a tile was believed to be missing they find it and Yuyuko begins.
> As you're about to turn away you bump into another small doll, only this time you recognize it's Shanghai, one of two of Alice's special dolls.  She makes a gesture which translates to something like 'excuse me' and hurriedly runs over to Alice.

[Kilgamayan]

> Oh...if they're gonna play a game, we shouldn't bother them.
> Look back at the main shrine grounds. What's everyone else doing?

[Tom]

> Oh...if they're gonna play a game, we shouldn't bother them.

> You decide not to bother them, but take a moment to admire Yuyuko's talent in mahjong!  She's already through half her stack while everyone else is still figuring out the top layer.  Impressive!

> Look back at the main shrine grounds. What's everyone else doing?

> Sanae and Rinnosuke are likely still discussion things beyond your comprehension.
> Mokou is casually leaving for the back yard
> Remilia, Sakuya and Patchouli have sat around the big table and are discussing something while flipping through the blank cards
> Yuuka, Mima and Marisa are seated at another table looking at some some cards too, but these look like actual spell cards
> Rumia and Cirno are sitting on the Shrine's steps munching on spring rolls next to Suika who's sharing some sake from her gourd with Tenshi.
> The pharmacist and pink lady look like they're trying to eavesdrop on the Scarlet Mansion residents from a nearby table while pretending to look at their 'blank cards'.

[Kilgamayan]

> What is our current relationship with the Scarlet Devil Mansion, given how attempt to upturn the world order went?

[Tom]

> What is our current relationship with the Scarlet Devil Mansion, given how attempt to upturn the world order went?

> They weren't too keen on the idea of the weak ruling over the strong but as Remilia jokingly mentioned they too had 'plans' for Gensokyo... They're actually pretty friendly and like having tea with you when they visit the shrine. Reimu has told you that Remilia sees a lot of herself in you, especially with you being a princess and all.

[Kilgamayan]

> As long as they don't hold any grudges...
> Head in their direction.

[Tom]

> As long as they don't hold any grudges...

> You doubt they hold a grudge, though you can't be absolutely sure since you don't read minds

> Head in their direction.

> As you approach you overhear some of their conversation
> Sakuya: "Whoever's behind this is certainly a formiddable opponent Lady Remilia. To gather all this private information without arising even the slightest hint of suspicion... we certainly saw a surprised look on everyone's faces didn't we? I would urge you to hold out investigating or attacking the doll until we know more about the extent of it's abilities"
> After a moment or two of thought the vampire responds "I ... agree, I will hold back from impaling it with Gungnir for now. Besides my ability to see fate is telling me that time is on our side... in some way or shape that's yet to become clear to me."
> The librarian steps in for a moment "Perhaps winning the so called 'competition' or figuring out it's cause will become easier over time?  I'm assuming you're only allowed one incident so perhaps there will be fewer contestants to worry about? The doll 'conveniently' left such details out of it's presentation. So perhaps it's in our best interest to not actually cause an incident but instead investigate other incidents caused as a result of this challenge?"
> After another moment of thought everyone nods in agreement before noticing you
> Sakuya speaks first "Can I help you miss ... ?" before the librarian whispers soemthing in her ear "ah Inchling Princess Shinmyumaru!  ...Excuse me for not remembering your name and title" after which they bow in respect, which surprised you. You doubt you'd have gotten this treatment if you were small, but then again they know about ranks, titles and traditions.

[Kilgamayan]

> "Oh! Uh, um, yes, hello."
> Give a quick, mildly flustered bow in return.
> "I-I'm sorry, I just wandered over here to see what you all were doing. If I'm interrupting something, I can go away..."

[Tom]

> "Oh! Uh, um, yes, hello."
> Give a quick, mildly flustered bow in return.

> Remilia smiles back

> "I-I'm sorry, I just wandered over here to see what you all were doing. If I'm interrupting something, I can go away..."

> The vampire looks like she's about to say something when Sakuya speaks "We were just speculating about the doll we met.  If you have any theories or insights you're welcome to share them with us."
> Meanwhile Patchouli is carefully looking through all the cards on the table and comparing them to one another

[Kilgamayan]

> "Um, I can't really think of anything immediately, beyond thinking it was really weird how angry she got when I picked up the blank cards no one else was taking..."

[Tom]

> "Um, I can't really think of anything immediately, beyond thinking it was really weird how angry she got when I picked up the blank cards no one else was taking..."

> Surprised by your comment Patchouli says "Really?  It must really want to give everyone a fair chance at winning this 'competition'..."
> Remilia interrupts "There's no way I'm buying that thing has any morals or cares about fairness in the slightest after having spied on us to make these cards!"
> A little frustrated by the interruption the librarian continues "or these cards have some secret or meaning it doesn't want you discovering."

> After a moment of thought she continues "Though since there doesn't appear to be a problem with us investigating the cards here at the table I'm inclined to think it's more the former than the latter..."
> "Good to know for certain that we shouldn't be taking anything though!"

[Kilgamayan]

> Adopt a thinking expression.
> "...Maybe it'll come back if someone makes like they're trying to take the cards?"

[Tom]

> Adopt a thinking expression.
> "...Maybe it'll come back if someone makes like they're trying to take the cards?"

> The librarian contemplates your idea for a moment and responds "An excellent question, little princess!"

> Then in a low voice she whispers "I would like to know if it can tell that we're taking the cards without being present"
> She picks up a card and spins it on her finger "It could mean there's a barrier surrounding these cards or that they can be tracked"
> After a moment of silence in a barely audible voice she continues "Or worse, it could have means of watching us from afar and if so that could be how it gathered it's information..."

[Kilgamayan]

> "Mmm...why not try to take one, maybe?"