Neo Gensokyo Quest - Part 6

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "We're coming with you, if you don't mind."
> Try taking to the air. If we're successful, follow along behind the blonde.
> "Thanks for the help, by the way. Who are you, if I may ask?"

Seki:

> If there are any non-humanoid spirits still loose in the area, control them and stuff them into Aya's body.
> Then follow along behind the blonde with our carriage in tow.

Aya:

> You struggle to get airborne again, but...
> Nope, your wings can't carry you anymore. You probably have the strength, but you can't add that to your wings' directly...
> The blonde stops and turns to introduce herself.
> "Mayumi Joutouguu. Lady Keiki's loyal subordinate and Lead of the Haniwa Army Corps."
> Well, at least she doesn't always ignore you.

Seki:

> There's no more beast spirits around here.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "A pleasure, Miss Mayumi."
> Give Mayumi a nod.
> "Aya Shameimaru, ace tengu reporter, and something of a mode of transportation for others in recent times."
> Give a sheepish grin.
> "As, uh, I guess you have seen."
> Well, if we can't fly, land on our feet.
> Then rotate ourselves so our back is to the direction Mayumi was traveling, and behind walking backwards to follow along behind Mayumi, dragging our chest behind us. (Look over our shoulder so we can keep track of Mayumi and see where we're going.)

Seki:

> "...Sekibanki. I'm no one particularly special."
> If Aya is successful in her movement, look over at her.
> "...Hang onto this for me too, Aya."
> Direct our carriage so it comes up behind Aya and deposits itself into her chest.
> Then walk along beside her in following Mayumi.

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "A pleasure, Miss Mayumi."
> Give Mayumi a nod.
> "Aya Shameimaru, ace tengu reporter, and something of a mode of transportation for others in recent times."
> Give a sheepish grin.
> "As, uh, I guess you have seen."
> Well, if we can't fly, land on our feet.
> Then rotate ourselves so our back is to the direction Mayumi was traveling, and behind walking backwards to follow along behind Mayumi, dragging our chest behind us. (Look over our shoulder so we can keep track of Mayumi and see where we're going.)

Seki:

> "...Sekibanki. I'm no one particularly special."
> If Aya is successful in her movement, look over at her.
> "...Hang onto this for me too, Aya."
> Direct our carriage so it comes up behind Aya and deposits itself into her chest.
> Then walk along beside her in following Mayumi.

Aya:

> "Ah, I thought I heard someone mention Lady Keiki. We'll lend you a hand if you want to see her."
> Mayumi and the statues quickly swarm you, though the girl alone heaves your chest up like it's nothing before the statues help spread the area of carry out and carry you as well.

Seki:

> ...
> Well, there goes introducing yourself...
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> Does it feel like the wolf is struggling at all? We've felt activity in there in the past...
> "Oh, thanks! 'Preciate it."
> Let ourselves be carried along, then~

Seki:

> ...
> ...Well, we did say we're no one important...
> Follow along anyway while leading the carriage.

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> Does it feel like the wolf is struggling at all? We've felt activity in there in the past...
> "Oh, thanks! 'Preciate it."
> Let ourselves be carried along, then~

Seki:

> ...
> ...Well, we did say we're no one important...
> Follow along anyway while leading the carriage.

Aya:

> You don't notice if it is.
> As you're carried, you notice something stirring in the wind from afar, getting closer to where your group is.

Seki:

> You follow along, feeling like there's more spirits nearby, but it seems like Mayumi cleared the way beforehand...
> "Although you aren't humans, you two seem against the animal spirits, and that's enough of a help for us. Did you come down here to help Lady Keiki?"
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> Did the wolf feel like a youkai, perhaps?
> What does the stirring in the distance feel like?
> "Honestly, I didn't really know that was going to be a whole thing. I came here to try to meet up with any notable figures, and check to see how they and this realm have been affected by the recent changes to Gensokyo and the moon. I definitely got a sense that a lot of this spirits saw me as prey, though. Anyway, Hecatia, who brought us here, did mention your Lady Keiki as one of several notable figures worth seeking out."

Seki:

> As we travel, control any nearby non-humanoid spirits we come across and stuff them into Aya's body.
> "I have a degree of control over spirits myself. We had previous placed the soul of one of Aya's subordinates within Aya's body, for...reasons that aren't worth going into here. She suggested I try with these spirits here, so I did. I have no idea where that giant wolf came from, though, because I sure didn't put anything like that inside her. As best, based on how the spirits have felt, I would theorize that the spirits combined themselves into a single spirit within her somehow, and became something more than a spirit in the process."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> Did the wolf feel like a youkai, perhaps?
> What does the stirring in the distance feel like?
> "Honestly, I didn't really know that was going to be a whole thing. I came here to try to meet up with any notable figures, and check to see how they and this realm have been affected by the recent changes to Gensokyo and the moon. I definitely got a sense that a lot of this spirits saw me as prey, though. Anyway, Hecatia, who brought us here, did mention your Lady Keiki as one of several notable figures worth seeking out."

Seki:

> As we travel, control any nearby non-humanoid spirits we come across and stuff them into Aya's body.
> "I have a degree of control over spirits myself. We had previous placed the soul of one of Aya's subordinates within Aya's body, for...reasons that aren't worth going into here. She suggested I try with these spirits here, so I did. I have no idea where that giant wolf came from, though, because I sure didn't put anything like that inside her. As best, based on how the spirits have felt, I would theorize that the spirits combined themselves into a single spirit within her somehow, and became something more than a spirit in the process."

Seki:

> "Oh? So you can deal with those spirits quicker. We've already got an advantage over them, but having extra help makes mounting an offense more plausible."

Aya:

> You don't think so.
> Like something moving fast. An attack, maybe? It already seems like it's about to come into view.
> "Miss Hecatia herself, huh? Most of the notable figures out here are against each other. You'll have trouble if you plan on meeting all of them."
> "Barely missed her, huh?" You hear a voice, as someone comes crashing down ahead of your group.
> It's... you? No, not quite. The wings are notably different, and she has a tail too.
> "Guh, a big one's come out..." Mayumi sighs.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Seki:

> Look back and forth between Aya and the newcomer.

Aya:

> Look the newcomer up and down with a curious look for a few moments.
> "...Huh. I didn't know another me lived here."
> Nod and give the newcomer a thumbs-up.
> "Mmm, I look good with a tail."

[Neovereign]

Seki:

> Look back and forth between Aya and the newcomer.

Aya:

> Look the newcomer up and down with a curious look for a few moments.
> "...Huh. I didn't know another me lived here."
> Nod and give the newcomer a thumbs-up.
> "Mmm, I look good with a tail."

Seki:

> You glance between the two... It's like long lost sisters. The attire is different, but the hair and even their looks are pretty similar. You wouldn't even put the newcomer as smaller than you remember Aya's size ever being. And aside from that, she's taller than the tengu.

Aya:

> It's almost like looking in a weird mirror. There's obvious differences, but if you were both wearing the same clothes, you're not sure anyone could tell you apart. Well, aside from your current sizes, and the tail.
> "What do we have here?" The woman questions. "You've made some new friends?
> "They're here to visit Lady-"
> "I heard what they're here for. Something about the Goddess of Hell. I thought I had a bunch of my underlings around here, but I guess you either wiped them out or proved your strength. I know blondie there would've taken longer to do that."
> "They keep running away from us, yet sneaking shots in when we aren't protecting the garden." Mayumi argues.
> "That's the Kiketsu folk then, not mine."
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Seki:

> What kinds of animals were mixed in amongst the spirits we've been gathering?

Aya:

> Gesture down at our chest.
> "Does the giant two-headed wolf in there belong to you, then, or someone else?"

[Neovereign]

Seki:

> What kinds of animals were mixed in amongst the spirits we've been gathering?

Aya:

> Gesture down at our chest.
> "Does the giant two-headed wolf in there belong to you, then, or someone else?"

Seki:

> Most of them were wolves, but you think there were some others. You think they were... What is it, ferrets? Seals? Too long to be rats...

Aya:

> "Giant two headed wolf?" The woman questions. "Well, if it's a wolf spirit down here, they're likely a part of my family then. Care showing me?"
> "We're busy. I don't want to keep Lady Keiki waiting on me or guests." Mayumi argues.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> Pull Banki's spare head out of our chest and show it off to the newcomer.
> "If you want, you could dive in there yourself and check while we travel."
> Store the head again, then gesture to where the newcomer can enter with both hands.

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> Pull Banki's spare head out of our chest and show it off to the newcomer.
> "If you want, you could dive in there yourself and check while we travel."
> Store the head again, then gesture to where the newcomer can enter with both hands.

Aya:

> You show, then stow Seki's extra head.
> "Hmm. If you're busy, I guess I can take the chance to catch up with the hell goddess before she gets too far. I'll be back here again anyways."
> "Perfect. Go and take your time." Mayumi says.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "I'd love to talk more with you once you're done with Hecatia. What's your name, anyway? Given you've mentioned subordinates, I imagine you're on the list of people of interest Hecatia gave me."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "I'd love to talk more with you once you're done with Hecatia. What's your name, anyway? Given you've mentioned subordinates, I imagine you're on the list of people of interest Hecatia gave me."

Aya:

> "Saki, Saki Kurokoma." The woman introduces herself. "You won't find anyone quicker on their feet down here, so don't expect to be waiting long." The woman gestures a goodbye, as you see her dart off for where you entered here from.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> Look back at our carriers with a smile.
> "Oh, I like her. That name was definitely on our list, too."

Seki:

> "Er, sorry if it's going to cause problems that we're trying to get audiences with both you and someone you clearly don't like."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> Look back at our carriers with a smile.
> "Oh, I like her. That name was definitely on our list, too."

Seki:

> "Er, sorry if it's going to cause problems that we're trying to get audiences with both you and someone you clearly don't like."

Seki:

> "I don't explicitly dislike her. We are on opposite sides of alliances though, and our troops are directly fighting each other." Mayumi continues. "I won't be mad if you seek out her or the other leaders after your meeting with Lady Keiki. You've already helped us out."
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> Are our feet touching the ground?
> "Well, that's part of it. The thing is, Gensokyo's movers and shakers are more or less coming together in one group to determine what direction they want Gensokyo to go in given recent reality-altering happenings. Other realms have been affected too, like Higan, Bhavagra, Makai, and even the moon. So we came here to offer a metaphorical seat at the table to this realm, not realizing that the current political climate here...might make that difficult."

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> Are our feet touching the ground?
> "Well, that's part of it. The thing is, Gensokyo's movers and shakers are more or less coming together in one group to determine what direction they want Gensokyo to go in given recent reality-altering happenings. Other realms have been affected too, like Higan, Bhavagra, Makai, and even the moon. So we came here to offer a metaphorical seat at the table to this realm, not realizing that the current political climate here...might make that difficult."

Aya:

> No. The statues are carrying you entirely.
> "I think Lady Keiki might be too busy to attend something like that. We have seen a lot more humans wind up down here, though. I think all the animal spirits quickly decided to dwindle their numbers before they could even think of banding together."
> You're starting to see large buildings. Well, taller and thinner, rather than really wide.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "Them she might send you instead. Or maybe she'll agree to one of those other names Hecatia mentioned. I think the other two were Yachie and Yuuma?"

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "Them she might send you instead. Or maybe she'll agree to one of those other names Hecatia mentioned. I think the other two were Yachie and Yuuma?"

Aya:

> "They'd be busy with their groups too."
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Seki:

> "Has this realm gone unaffected, then?"

[Neovereign]

Seki:

> "Has this realm gone unaffected, then?"

Seki:

> "You'd have to ask one of the leaders about that. As far as I know, there just have been a lot more humans here than normally."
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "That sounds like what happened to Bhavagra and Higan."

Seki:

> "So no changes in anyone's ability to fly?"

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "That sounds like what happened to Bhavagra and Higan."

Seki:

> "So no changes in anyone's ability to fly?"

Seki:

> "Fly? Ah, I don't think we can fly, no..."
> Though, it seems like you'll need to in order to get to the area ahead, given the body of water in the way.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Seki:

> Is Aya still not in a physical position where we could store our carriage in her?
> "Were you able to before?"

Aya:

> How large is the upcoming body of water?
> Try flight again, just to see if we can at least levitate.

[Neovereign]

Seki:

> Is Aya still not in a physical position where we could store our carriage in her?
> "Were you able to before?"

Aya:

> How large is the upcoming body of water?
> Try flight again, just to see if we can at least levitate.

Seki:

> Not unless you could lift it up high enough.
> "Mhm."

Aya:

> It's a lake, but you think it might be less than Misty Lake. It's more like a river surrounding an island. Definitely looks dirtier than Misty Lake.
> You can see something approaching atop the water.
> You also feel like Saki's making her way here again.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "So this place was affected. Good to know. Ah, it seems my other self returning, and that we have yet another guest up ahead."

Seki:

> Look out onto the water for whoever Aya is talking about.

[Neovereign]

Aya:

> "So this place was affected. Good to know. Ah, it seems my other self returning, and that we have yet another guest up ahead."

Seki:

> Look out onto the water for whoever Aya is talking about.

Aya:

> "It's our ship to get across."

Seki:

> It is as she said upon your observation: a ship drifting atop the water towards you.
>_

[Kilgamayan]

Aya:

> "Oh, that works."

Seki:

> Does the boat look like it might be large enough for our carriage, Aya, and everyone else?
> Have we still been stuffing any animal spirts we've been coming along into Aya? If so, how do things feel within her?
> "Mm. Would you all mind lowering Aya to the ground for a moment?"