>>5397042
>A dense and packed bamboo forest that felt cool.
I want to kill pandas, hate those useless bastards.

>>5397042
>A bristling blue and misty lake surrounded by trees.

>>5397042
>A bristling blue and misty lake surrounded by trees.

Lady of the lake, let's go.

>>5397042
>A dense and packed bamboo forest that felt cool.

>>5397042
>>A field that goes on and on, of sunflowers

>>5397042
>A field that goes on and on, of sunflowers.

>>5397042
>A dense and packed bamboo forest that felt cool.

Crazy how much stuff you can make out of bamboo.

>>5397042
>A dense and packed bamboo forest that felt cool.

File: Bamboo+Forest.jpg (233 KB, 1600x1200)

233 KB JPG

>A dense and packed bamboo forest that felt cool. (4 votes)

Bamboo. Bamboo stretching seemingly for miles, or so it might look. You didn't know, getting a grasp on the sheer size of the bamboo forest that was your current locale wasn't something that could be accomplished immediately.

Rather right now, the bigger concern was getting a grip of this situation. A huge bamboo forest, and it didn't look like there were even many paths of wooden boards to take. It was just wilderness alone, the blowing wind, the clattering of stalks and the onset of confusion and settling dread at many possible scenarios from here on, such as getting attacked by a wild animal, going hungry, or never getting yourself free of this place...

You take a deep breath as you steadily rise from your place in the grass, and the piles upon piles of fallen leaves...

File: 059bbd7b483e4f5809416358c(...).jpg (178 KB, 975x1463)

178 KB JPG

Taking account of what was currently in your possession, you realize you have only your cellphone, your wallet and it's contents, a pocket knife, a comb for your hair, and the clothes on your back. Khakis, socks and shoes, your baseball cap, and a denim Dickies jacket. You didn't care what anyone thought, you loved that jacket and always lived it up.

Though, what you have on hand isn't really much. You weren't sure yet just how well any of it would work for you at the moment. Thankfully, you weren't completely defenseless, having a concealed carry stuffed away inside your jacket's inner pockets where you always keep it. A Glock 19, gen four, police trade in. Small and reliable, nine millimeter. Leastways you knew you weren't getting messed with by like... wolves or anything. You just hoped you didn't run into a bear or something. To be honest, you didn't really know all that much about bamboo forests... somehow you thought you should of, given how much Japanese media you viewed over the internet.

What kind of bear, if any, would even be in a place like this? Panda bears? You didn't really want to shoot a panda, they seemed lazy and harmless enough, but who knows? Angering some protective panda mother could be possible.

Well, now comes the part where you decide what to do next.

>[Write in]
>Call out for help.
>Head towards higher ground?
>Seek a water source, maybe you can follow it...
>Just explore around. You're bound to come across something.

>>5397257
>Seek a water source, maybe you can follow it...

First water, then food, then we build bamboo shelter!

>>5397257
>[Write in]
Try our phone, see if we have any reception and then keep track of the battery life.
Then
>>Call out for help.

Maybe the cellphone might work? After all, there have been weird stories before, way back, of people disappearing from one place and ending up in another somewhere else in the world. And there was an old hoax about some secret navy and government project teleporting warships and the like. Maybe that's what's happened to you? Only one way to find out.

...

Nope, nothing. Not one bar of service, damn.

At least the battery held, at around 78% from when you last remember using it. But, without service, you weren't accessing the internet, or making any calls for help to anyone you can. You can kiss that option goodbye.

You decide it wouldn't hurt to try this, however.

"HELLLOOOO? ANYONE OUT THERE?! HEELLLP!"

You put both hands near your mouth and yelled as loud as you could, hoping for anyone to hear.

All you get back is the ambience of the bamboo woods. That's no good, it won't do... You shake your head and make sure your shoelaces are tied before walking on. Time to get a leg on, you guess. It can't be hard to find something if you begin taking a look around. Good thing you had an idea of what to look for as well too; A source of water. If you could find a river or maybe a stream, then that might just be a start.

You press onward.

File: Villager..jpg (17 KB, 220x400)

17 KB JPG

The bamboo forest is pretty intimidating, to be perfectly honest. These endless amounts of stalks surrounding every direction are almost like nature's very own prison bars, keeping you locked in and caged. It felt like there was no escape. Something about this forest... just made it feel futile, like anyone walking their way into here willingly was destined to get lost, for eternity.

All you see are bamboo stalks, more bamboo stalks, grass, bamboo stalks, some rocks... sand, more bamboo stalks... water...

Water? Wait! Water! Aha! You knew you had the right idea! There it is! Water, a flowing stream of water in the middle of the bamboo forest! Coming through a small assortment of mossy rocks jutting out the ground, from a mini waterfall that wasn't too far up ahead.

And a man too.

Oh? Another person? Thank god, you didn't think you'd see another human for a long time now, but lo and behold a man kneeling down to drink from the stream. It's just that... he looked a bit, er... rustic? Was he some kind of oriental?

"Heh- ... Hello?"

He looked up at you and squinted, taking a second to rub his eyes as if in disbelief. From this distance, you could have thought he was doing anything, either staring at you in bewilderment, or sizing you up from afar for any reason. For a moment, you're afraid he won't understand you, in terms of linguistics at least, since the way he looked definitely confirmed you were on foreign soil or something. But, he does speak up.

"Hey! You! Come over here, quickly! They'll spot you wandering out in the open like that! Hurry now!"

He's calling you forward, off the bat. You take a few steps ahead towards him, but stop. You finally notice it, what looks to be a long and sharp knife carried by his belt. You're not sure you trust this so much now...

"What are you waiting for?! Come on! You don't have much time! They'll see you out there! Come over here, behind the bushes! Don't dally!"

>Well, you only just met, but can this man be trusted...?

>>5397319
Sure, why not, we have a glock
Go to him but keep a hand in our coat in case he's rusing us

>>5397319
>Put a hand on your glock and walk over

File: __kedama_touhou_drawn_by_(...).jpg (168 KB, 1600x1200)

168 KB JPG

>Approach with caution. (2 votes)

You reckoned that this guy, and you mean, you'd only just seen him and him you for the first too, didn't have much reason to attack you. He looked sort of like some ordinary villager or something. Somebody you'd have expected to see out of Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia. Or maybe the Edo period. You knew a little history.

Hand on the gun, you approached him at a moderate pace.

"Look out!"

You knew you were wary for a reason. Predictably, he makes a move as soon as you're close, but not to hurt you. Rather, he pulls you out of the way as something zips by your head, nearly hitting it had he not acted.

"Careful, the Kesaran-Pasaran are extra rowdy, they smell human flesh on us."

"Wha- What? What the fu... what- what are those?!"

You were visibly distraught. Okay, you're starting to think this is a lot more serious than just teleporting across earth. Last time you checked, planet earth didn't have any known species that could be described as... floating white puffballs with mouths and eyes! (°д°)

"Woah! Steady there... they may be small but a Youkai is a Youkai still. But I take it you've never seen them before."

"Huh? Yo-...kai? What are you talking about?"

"What? You mean to tell me you don't know what a Youkai is...? Hmm... you're not from around 'here', are you?"

"I have no idea what's going on, man. No clue where this is, I just sort of... woke up here!" You explained.

The guy has a knowing look on his face and he nods.

"Well, all I can tell you is that those creatures there, those Youkai, are man-eating beasts. Don't think their pathetic appearance makes them any less ferocious, they'll swarm you like fish to feed and strip the flesh from bone if you get surrounded by them! Come along, this way now."

Man-eaters? Really now? You've gotta be... this is absurd.

You have trouble taking your eyes off of those things, but this guy in the straw hat is going further up the hill that the waterfall stream extends from, and you certainly didn't want to find out if what he's saying about them eating human flesh is for real. You swallowed nervously as you tailed behind him while he pushed through the bushes and the bamboo.

"I think you might be a foreigner. An outsider."

"An outsider? What's that mean? What am I 'inside' of?"

"You're in the eastern lands now. This region is named Gensoukyou. We don't normally get many of you foreigners here. The Youkai usually prevent that, they scare your kind off. They always react especially violently to your kind."

"Oh, well that's great."

"No worries about it, you stick close to me, and I'll take care of you. I know my way around, to- through the Youkai."

File: Kedama.png (6 KB, 180x250)

6 KB PNG

Just your luck right about now. Though, you do squint your eyes a little at his blurt. You don't pay much attention to it.
All you want right now is to get far away from those... things! (°д°)

"Right along this way. Here, let me help you up."

You nod as you move up to a tall rise in the crest of the terrain, extra rocky and above your head. He holds his hands down for your foot to assist you in climbing up.

"There we go. Like I said, I'll take care of you! Heheehe!"

"What are you- Nnh!"

Wait, this wasn't a way up! right over the rocks he's helping you climb... is a fall into a little pit surrounded by such dense bamboo, getting out of there wouldn't be an easy task! You fall right down into it when he shoves your foot to push you over and in! Bastard! He totally duped you! You grunt as you take the fall to the dirt and look to see him smiling down at you. And what's worse, those things! (°д°)
-are coming right for you! A dozen or so of them! (°д°)

"What's the big idea?!"

"Hehehe! Youkai don't scare you foreigners off, they eat you! That's what these Kedama are going to do, and you can't escape now you're in their sights! Hehe! They'll eat everything but the valuables on your person, so when they're good and full, that's more loot for a scavenger like me to take back and sell! Hoo-hoo wee! I'm going to make a killing off Outsider stuff! Your junk's gonna be my treasure!"

Bastard! He ducks his head below the rocks as the Youkai lower down in the air toward you! Reflexively, you pulled out your firearm and backed up! But those things... (°д°)

(°д°)
(°д°)
(°д°)

They were getting closer...

To be honest though? They didn't look like much trouble actually. If anything, they looked kind of silly.

>[Write in]
>No, don't underestimate them. They flew pretty fast. Better hope they can dodge this bullet.
>Conserving ammo is important, you only have one magazine. Better snap a bamboo branch and batter up or something.
>Hey, maybe they aren't as bad as he's saying. Try petting one of those fluffy fuckers, they might warm up to you.

>>5397384
>>5397384
>No, don't underestimate them. They flew pretty fast. Better hope they can dodge this bullet.
So this the Touhou quest someone was talking about in the QTG a while ago. Glad to see you went ahead with it QM!
Bullet hell logic demands we dodge and shoot.

>>5397394
Oh, that wasn't me, I don't think I've ever bothered with the QTG. Cool to hear I wasn't the only one with the idea though.

>>5397384
>>Hey, maybe they aren't as bad as he's saying. Try petting one of those fluffy fuckers, they might warm up to you.
Kedama pet.
>b-but
Kedama. Pet.
This is not up for debate.

>>5397399
Now that's a funny coincidence.
that anon said he tried to hide it was a touhou quest once but people caught up to it, so he was going to try again but focusing on an outsider and the darker parts of Gensoukyou.
Hopefully this mean that petting the cute little buggers is possible.

>>5397412
Huh, I thought I'd make it a surprise myself but I was sure the name I picked for the quest and myself already gave it away way too easily lol.
Normally outsiders get mulched almost instantly in canon, but fortunately I don't want full on grimsokyo, so I'm coming up with a catch for survivability.
That being said, are you quite possibly changing your vote?

>>5397415
Yeah sure, let's pet them.
Hopefully Mokou or someone else will appear to save us if it's a mistake.

>>5397384
>No, don't underestimate them. They flew pretty fast. Better hope they can dodge this bullet.
A real American knows that cute is death and shoots anything cuddly that enters his vision.

File: Touhoudex-Kedama-627864429.png (1 KB, 128x128)

1 KB PNG

>Hey, maybe they aren't as bad as he's saying. Try petting one of those fluffy fuckers, they might warm up to you. (2 votes)

With the way these fluffy critters bopped through the air, blinking at you with their gaping little Cyrillic mouths, you couldn't help but assume they weren't up to half of what that scoundrel who tricked you said they were. If anything, you thought maybe showcasing fearlessness in the face of these puffs will get them to back down from any munching they might try.

Smirking slightly with a little scoff, a hand was extended towards the closest of these Kedamas. The creature closed its mouth and stared in an almost shocked way with those beady eyes at you when your fingers were felt rubbing the fluff on whatever constituted the chin. The Kedama vibrated almost like a massage chair in your hand, cozying up with a purr.

"Aw, I knew you guys weren't so-"

(°д°) *Chomp!*

"GAH!"

Damn! They do bite!

The Kedama on the petting end reluctantly struck out, getting your index and middle fingers on the right hand good! And it was with razor sharp teeth you definitely didn't see until they were ready to attack! That was your good firing hand! This was a terrible mistake!

(°д°) *HFFFFFUUUUU!* (°д°)

But while that one latched to your fingers was hesitating to gnaw them right off, the rest of the pack struck, and they came quick, swarming like flies over your body. You panicked, feeling teeth trying to punch through your jacket, and tried to get away, but you only succeeded in falling right down in the attack! It was horrible, and the heart in your chest was thumping heart, with true terror gripping you as you yelled out and swatted with your hands at the puff balls, but no strike seemed to get them to sway from their objective. You could feel teeth poking little holes into your legs through the thin khakis, and one of them managed to chew a tear through to your shoulder!

You scream again for help, but it doesn't seem like anyone is coming to your rescue...

You don't want to die. You d-don't want to die... not like this, not getting eaten by these horrid vermin. Youkai... Yokai... demons, or spirits or something. The stuff of literal legend. Your blood was racing, sweat coming down your forehead through the pain. This was how it was going to be then!

You close your eyes...

File: bamboo-cut-1368730744.jpg (66 KB, 636x424)

66 KB JPG

(°д°) *HFFFFU!*

(°д°

(°д

(° *FFFFU-K!*

(

...

You felt something splash on your undershirt. The gnawing stopped. You quickly opened your eyes to take a look and behold the Kedama were no longer trying to make a meal out of you.

"HCK!"

You flinched. A bamboo tree came down and slammed the ground besides you. In fact, that wasn't the only one. There were more, it seemed like almost all of the large and tall bamboo stalks previously oppressing you within this pit were falling over, chopped clean in half.

There was a single Kedama struggling up to take a bite out of your foot. A red slash across its face repels the creature back, and it goes off, shedding tears at the sudden punishment.

Breath steadily, get a grip, keep it under control. No idea what's happening now, probably another Youkai heard the noise and came quick, and they're a lot stronger than those Kedama it seems. Just your luck. You take a deep breath and relax back into the dirt, groaning quietly at the wounds received, awaiting whatever was about to attack you next, dreading the possibilities here, that either your death was going to be a quick one, or a painful and slow one. Somehow, you got the feeling that... that, actual demons or whatever... might count themselves sadists too.

"Hwoo?"

Here it comes-

"What a strange human! Are you alright there...?"

-it's not coming. Just who is...?

File: __imaizumi_kagerou_touhou(...).png (503 KB, 560x720)

503 KB PNG

You open your eyes, and immediately recoiled at the sight of a woman standing over you! A... a lady, looks like, in a fine dress, and she has...

She has dog... ears...?!

"Hmm? Well? I did just ask you a question, mister. You don't look so good after facing those puffballs."

You're at a complete loss of words for the moment!
What the hell was going on here...?

"If you're in the Bamboo Forest of the Lost, you're likely to need help getting out of here now, aren't you? Well? Are you fine to walk or not, mister?"

A rustling nearby. She's definitely not alone herself, or is that the sound you hear of that rogue who tried to kill you? Why do you smell smoke?

>What will you say to... her?

>>5397459
>Thank you for saving me, I thought I would die.
>I'm bleeding a bit and they bit my leg. Are there any doctors nearby?
>A man lead me here, saying he wanted these kedama to eat me so he could steal my stuff. I don't know if he stil hiding behind the rocks.
Oh shit it's Kagerou, she's nice. And also who I wanted to show up. But the smoke might mean Mokou is nearby too.

>>5397459
>>5397470
Support.
...We will headpat that, someday.

>>5397459
Supporting >>5397470

File: __imaizumi_kagerou_touhou(...).png (324 KB, 683x694)

324 KB PNG

All these questions, all of this is happening all so suddenly, it's disorienting...
You managed to find your tongue as you snap out of the cataleptic trance with a few blinks.

>"Uh, thh... thanks for saving me, thought I was going to die... I'm bleeding out a bit, they sunk their fangs in my legs. Are there any doctors nearby?"
>"O-Oh! Hey! A man lead me here, saying he wanted these Kedama things to eh... to eat me alive so he could steal my stuff! I don't where if he's still hiding behind the rocks! Be careful!"
>(3 votes)

"Hwoo? Ah, don't worry about him, mister! He's a repeat offender, and now that he's tried it again after his first warning, I don't think Mokou's going to let him here anymore."

You heard a wail then. It sounded like that man from before, in fact, just a lot farther off.
What a lowlife. So he'd tried screwing over other humans before, all for a little material gain? What a jackass, you'd like to...

"-your banditry's encroaching on my guide business, rat! I thought I told you to cut it out the first time! Maybe those nice burns will learn you! I'll be sure to tell all the strays you're fine for eating, so you'd best think twice before you ever come back here AGAIN!"

...but you get the feeling you wouldn't need to, not after that. That was also far off, but oh was it loud enough to hear from here.

"Ah, you should rather be thanking her for saving your life, I only helped her find you by smelling you out. Don't worry, she can get you help, one way or another. Oh, by the way, I'm Imaizumi Kagerou, I'm a werewolf, nice to meet you. And no, I don't plan on eating you."

Kagerou, is it? Very well, you accept a helping hand from her to get yourself back up to your legs and sat down on a rock, even with how long and sharp her fingernails looked. Easy does it.

"W-Well... thanks for helping my helper at least. Who is she, anyway?"

"That would be me."

"JESUS!"

You jumped back, startled from the sudden appearance of the pale girl to your left, one who held flame like it didn't even burn her! Holy... holy crap, how did she get there like that, so fast?! Was she also some kind of mythical creature like the... the literal, admitted werewolf girl? You mean, she looks human enough, except for her steely hair.

She raised an eyebrow, and her hands up where you could see them once her flames died down. "No, it's Mokou. Fujiwara no Mokou to be exact. Sorry if I frightened you. You can calm down now, we don't plan on hurting you."

File: Big Dipper.jpg (26 KB, 612x459)

26 KB JPG

"Hehee! I told you I sensed something funny out here, Mokou! You didn't believe me though, you said I was just smelling some tasty fish or something flowing through the rivers."

"Tch! Don't get so smug about it! Alright, fine, I admit it, you were onto something after all. Can we put it to rest now?!"

"Nah ah ah! You owe me a solid now, just as promised, because I was right this time, and you'll have to pay up! Hmhah hah!"

The one known as Mokou grit her teeth and scowled while the werewolf standing over you got quite the cheeky grin. But she sniffed the air and her attention was back to you. Coming over, Kagerou reached for your right injured hand and carefully took it. You winced, especially since the wound was still oozing just a little blood, but it wasn't the injury she was concerned about, rolling up your sleeve.

"H-?! H-Hey... that wasn't there before! What is..."

"Ah... This must be what I sensed. It seems to be fixed in a way that's extra receptive to us Youkai. That's why you couldn't feel it the same as I, Mokou."

"I don't get it. Just what am I looking at here, Kagerou?"

"I'd... also like to know that." You added, getting Mokou to point her finger at you while eyeing Kagerou intensely.

The werewolf seemed a bit nervous, and her ears were flexed down. "It... it must be some sort of marking, like that of property. It's incredibly powerful! Serving as a warning to any Youkai who'd think to devour this Outsider! Laid by a-a g-god, no doubt about it! Not one bit! Hm-Hmwoo..."

A god...?

What in the world was she talking about? To you, this just looked like some sort of tattoo on your right arm, hidden by your sleeve. An ordinary tattoo, of the Big Dipper? The constellation? You certainly don't remember ever getting such a thing, you've never been one to ink your skin, you always viewed it as taboo.

"Laid by a god, huh? That could only mean one thing..."

"This human was brought here intentionally! He didn't slip through to Gensokyo by mistake! But whatever for?! J-Just looking at this thing is giving me the chills, Mokou...!" Kagerou whined, stepping back to get behind Mokou, who just stared with nonplussed eyes trying to hide some dribble of concern about the Big Dipper marking etched upon your right forearm.

"This is beyond our experience for sure... it's something the Hakurei Miko'd likely have to handle. That's her job, isn't it? Hmpf..."

File: __fujiwara_no_mokou_touho(...).png (470 KB, 763x900)

470 KB PNG

First, you wake up in this confusing place, and then you nearly get mauled to death by floating cotton balls. Now, apparently these supernatural women are telling you that you've been... or at least, alluding to you being the subject of a kidnapping. Performed by a 'god'? What now? What sense did any of this...?
Kagerou just nervously smiles at you from behind her Mokou shaped cover, while the pale girl herself sighed and seemed to pull a small, white paper wrapped bud from her pockets to light it with a flame from her fingertips. A cigarette? At least, it looked that way.

"Listen up, Outsider-" She said, blowing a little smoke from her mouth. "-I'm not really cut out to help you with whatever this is, or why you're here in Gensokyo now. All I can tell you is that there's a shrine here in this land with someone who usually handles your kind... at least, the ones she's able to get to first. Her shrine is the Hakurei Shrine, and it lies beyond the Village outside this forest. The Bamboo Forest of the Lost has a reputation that you won't survive by yourself, but I happen to be able to get you out. I can guide you to the Village myself, and then it's all on you from there. I'm sure they'll help you, one way or another."

Mokou snapped her finger, at the same time as she did knock the ash off of her bud.

"However, if you really seek medical help and want to be absolutely sure you're better, then I can take you to a Doctor who lives in this forest. She's certainly a far better option than the healers in the Village. Although, it's the last place I'd wanna be right now, and I can't guarantee you a fight won't break out if you ask me to take you to this Doctor."

...You nodded silently. You understood her clearly. If that's what she's saying, it must be true.

"I hate to tell you this, but you really ought to weigh your options here. Sure, if you see this Doctor, you'd be right and fine, but you wouldn't get out of this forest without my help once again, and I'll be expecting a little compensation for my trouble next time you see?"

Ah, so that's the way it was.

"D-Don't worry, she means well!" Kagerou says, beaming at you.

Mokou burned the rest of her cigarette bud to crisp ashes, completely incinerating it.

"Well, what's it going to be, Outsider man?"

>[Write in]
>I'll take my chances in this so-called Village getting assistance...
>I'm messed up real bad... I need a Doctor who can help me for sure.

File: 1969 Earth-Lunar War (col(...).png (17 KB, 500x400)

17 KB PNG

>>5397553
>>I'm messed up real bad... I need a Doctor who can help me for sure.
I can't pass the opportunity to make the lunarians uncomfortable.

>>5397553
>write in
Ask why the Kedama were so compelled to attack us despite this mark we have. Ask them if it's an intelligence thing with youkai.
Then
>I'm messed up real bad... I need a Doctor who can help me for sure.
We'll get pranked by Tewi but it's better than getting harassed by fairies on the way.
Also, we're gonna have to deal with Aya eventually....

>>5397553
>I'm messed up real bad... I need a Doctor who can help me for sure.
>And why did those Kedama things mess me up if this mark was supposed to keep me safe?

I just remembered which character can spirit people away using doors, is a god, and has the big dipper as their symbol.
What scheme is Okina up to this time?

>>5397869
All I know is that it's time for another hag ass beating.

>>5397897
>Beating the hag of backdoors' ass
I don't know, sounds like she would actually like that.

>>5397911
Not that kind of ass beating. We're saving that for Yukarin.

>I'm messed up real bad... I need a Doctor who can help me for sure. (3 votes)

Mokou nodded and beckoned you.

"Fine. Then I'll take you to the mansion that lies within this forest, Eientei. You'll get treatment from Yagokoro Eirin there. She's the Doctor I'm speaking of... but fair warning, she and most of Eientei come off like..."

Mokou furled her brow then, as if speaking of this place left a bad taste in her mouth. She seemed very disdainful.

"...Like what? Tools?" You tried finishing her sentence, only to cause her to blink and rub the back of her head.

"If that's how you'd describe a bunch of cocky, snotty fools! Anyway, can you walk?"

You nod, and with a grunt, stand up, despite the wounds on your legs. You can walk, if only a bit slowly. Without further word about it, Mokou gestures to come along the way she begins walking, with Kagerou gingerly following behind you as the three of you start the trek.

"Hmm, now now, Mokou, I wouldn't say they're all... erm, fools! Reisen is pretty decent at least. Besides, I'm sure the Outsider will get along with them for the most part. It's not like they're overwhelming- h-huh?"

You were waving your undamaged hand to catch her attention. "Say, if this... mark or whatever on me is supposed to repel Youkai, then why did those Kedama attack me? Don't you think they could feel it like you do? Sense it, I guess? Does it have something to do with their intelligence?"
>[Write in] (2 votes)

"Hmm... Good question. Somehow, I think while the intended purpose of that ominous brand is to mark you the property of whoever brought you here, and to keep Youkai's grubby hands off of you, at the same time it also makes you a valuable target. Maybe some Youkai might assume you're a fugitive, and that the brand laid by that god is the bounty on your head. They may seek to take you themselves, in search of a reward. But, it also may deceive Youkai into believing your body is housing a power that they'll want to take for themselves! In that case, they'll want to eat you even harder!"

You can't help but frown with increasing horror at how much worse it sounds the more it gets talked about!

"You have the right idea. Not all Youkai were made equal. Some of them? Are dumb as bricks, even dumber than Fairies, and only came because the mark they sensed could have been leading them to a meal. It's a thing of irony, that mark meant to repel Youkai will likely end up attracting them even more." Mokou suddenly interjected.

You gave a deep sigh at that and shook your head. Man, you were neck deep in the shit now, weren't you?

File: (°д°)..png (10 KB, 180x250)

10 KB PNG

Then, there was a rustling in the bushes.

Kagerou held her claws up, and Mokou stopped and alighted a fist with flames.

(°д°)

You were a bit shocked yourself to see that one of the Kedamas survived!

(°д°) *FU...*

The little thing was hovering closely to the ground. It had a little red cut across the face, looking to be the one that first bit your fingers on your good hand.

"Just a second, I'll take care of it." Mokou said.

(;д;)

The Kedama sprouted tears! In a way, you still felt bad for the creature, even if it attacked you first...

Make an important decision to influence your Karma level.
Cruelty: 0%
Grace: 0%

The Crueler you are, the more powerful your Big Dipper becomes, warding off Youkai more easily. The more Graceful you are, the weaker the Big Dipper becomes, increasing your vulnerability. On the spinning wheel of Samsara, the wheel of destiny, your Cruelty and Grace will decide how Karma allows your fate to play out in the grand scheme of things.

>Resign the thing to its fate. It had this coming. (Cruelty 1+)
>Stop them for a moment. Try to spare the Kedama. (Grace 1+)

>>5398019
>Stop them for a moment. Try to spare the Kedama. (Grace 1+)
Please be the one that was hesitant to bite us, the one we petted.
He was a good boy.

>>5398019
>Resign the thing to its fate. It had this coming. (Cruelty 1+)
EXTERMINATE

>>5398026
Just checked, the one bit our good hand was the one we were petting. I'm going to have a kedama pet, whether it wants to or not.

>>5398027
Come on, let's forcefully tame the creature.

>>5398030
But... but I like the bad routes

>>5398037
But don't you want Kedama Pet?

>>5398042
I'm just trying to play it smart. If we ran into the Myouren kooks, they might take offense to us having a Youkai as a "pet". Actually, just about any Youkai might find it offensive and attack us

>>5398048
Than he is just a pocket friend, not a pet.
And come on, I thought there was no debate
>>5397408

>>5398054
B-but I changed my mind...
Oh alright fine. Supporting >>5398026

>Stop them for a moment. Try to spare the Kedama. (Grace 1+) (2 votes)

"Hold on a minute..." You say.

Mokou and Kagerou both peered at you curiously when you signaled them to stop. They tensed up when you elected to take a step forward then as well, right towards the Kedama.

"Have you lost it? What are you...?!"

"Wait, Mokou! L-Look!"

With your sleeve rolled up and the Big Dipper visibly showing, the Kedama seemed to freeze as you stepped up to it, almost as though it assumed you were about to stomp the life out of it!
But no blow ever came, as instead, the Kedama would be picked up and welcomed into your hands. The creature seemed cautious as you held it aloft, but a small smile found its way to your lips as you started fondling it.

"You... you can't feel that, Fujiwara, but it seems like... like the mark laid by the god is getting... somewhat harder to sense."

"Eh...? Why would that be?"

"No idea..."

(°д°)

(-q-) *Fuuu...*

The Kedama relaxed in your hands! Heh, it wasn't so bad after all, even if it did bite you. Really, you wouldn't have freaked out so hard about that had the bite not caused you to get attacked. It was almost like your first dog back home, they were an adopted dog that had no training, it bit your hand at seven years old because it was scared.

"...If you plan on keeping that thing, I hope you know you're going to be responsible for it." Mokou sighed.

"HmhmHm! It's kind of cute, seeing a human and feral Youkai get along so well like that." Kagerou giggled.

Your Karma has increased.
Cruelty: 0%
Grace: 0.90%

File: Th08BambooForest.jpg (141 KB, 384x448)

141 KB JPG

Finally, the trip gets moving along faster, with Mokou still taking the lead through the gargantuan Bamboo Forest of the Lost, and you in front of Kagerou in the line, holding your relaxed Kedama. The fluffy white creature was basically almost asleep in your hands.

At the pace you're able to walk, with the others keeping around the same speed out of courtesy, you know this trek may take a bit after all.

"So... So you're really an Outsider, and have never been to Gensokyo before! I've really wondered just how different Outsider humans like you are from the humans here in Gensokyo, like the ones who live in the village, or Mokou herself. We never really get to learn much about Outsiders before they're gone."

You blinked at that, looking right into the back of Mokou's impressive hair length. "Ah... Sorry, I didn't realize you were human too."

"Don't think much about it, you're not the first."

"What's... what's your deal anyway? You're making, like... fire from the palms of your hands! How do you do that?!"

"I've picked up a few tricks over my life, is all."

"Mokou won't open up about it right away, but she's completely invincible, and an immortal human who can never die!" Kagerou informed you.

"I-Immortal...?!"

The fiery girl in red pants rolled her eyes as she walked on. "It's true. I've been alive well over a millennium at this point."

That sounds, on equal terms to you, incredible, but also disturbing in a way. You happened to count yourself in the batch of people who didn't look at immortality as 'all that'. Not being able to die, sounded pretty scary to be honest. You silently wondered if this meant she was going to be alive forever, even after the sun blows up in billions of years...

Might not be the most comfortable topic to explore right now, however, so you keep silent until Kagerou tapped your shoulder.

"So, what's life like for you back in the Outside World? Tell me something interesting, I'm really eager to hear it!"

You should make some friendly conversation until you get to this 'Eientei'. But about what? You weren't sure what topics these... fantastical people might like to hear. You guess you can tell them anything really.

>What will you talk about concerning the Outside World?

>>5398149
>Well, I worked two menial jobs to make ends meet and then just rested at my apartment until the next day, I'm not exactly a very interesting person.
>But what I consider mundane might be actually interesting for you. Back home we got huge cities, with millions of people living right next to each other. There are very tall buildings made of concrete and glass that we call skyscrapers, some have more than a hundred floors, bust most are around 10 or 20. We have electricity that keep the cities lighted during all night, with large billboard and signs everywhere, so many people work or party during the night instead of the day. Most people have some sort of vehicle to be able to get, like a car or bike, but even the ones who don't still use public transportation like buses and trains to move around. They are like carriages that move without horses.
>We also have phones, they are devices that let people talk with each other over any distance as long as a special tower is nearby, and have become like small computers over time. I don't know how to describe a computer though, but you can look at the phone I'm carrying if you want, just be careful.
>There are also people living in the rural areas, to feed everyone or who want to live away from the chaos of the big city. But even there we have large machines that help us have two harvest per year and let one person take care of multiple acres and tons of food, and have access to all amenities and comforts that cities offer, if only just further away.
>There's also large factory that produce all of our goods, they used to be just collection of craftsman producing a single part and passing the rest to the next in line, but nowadays most of it is done by robots with the workers maintaining the machines and checking the quality.

Tldr; Describe technology, how cities and rural areas look and let them look at our phone.

>>5398149
>Well Kag, Mok, back in my world we have these things called nukes...
Just because I want to see their reactions, or if they know anything about atomic energy.

>>5398149
Supporting >>5398182.

>Tldr; Describe technology, how cities and rural areas look and let them look at our phone. (2 votes)

The basic outlooks of life in the modern world, the highs and perks of the 21st century. Metallurgy, machine power, modern architecture, huge companies and the ever increasing population of humanity on the face of Earth. You wouldn't go into the deep, deep details about everything and be pedantic, there was no need to start telling them about Jeff Bezos and Amazon you supposed.

You just began talking about your world. What they call the 'Outside World'. Kagerou and Mokou listened, with some intrigue, especially Kagerou herself. Millions of humans? Buildings tall enough they could reach to the sky? It sounded like fantasy, to her! Although, Mokou was not so surprised herself about how far humans have managed to come in all these years.

"Machines...? You mean like... things that move on their own, which you build?"

"Yeah. Machines, robots. They're artificial, we make them out of metal, and, ehh... they have wires inside them, and circuitry, made of plastic. They do whatever we program them to."

"H-Hwooo... all of this sounds so impressive, but also so... so much to take in at once too! Everything about the Outside World sounds so... automated." Kagerou said with a light wobble to her walk. At least now she knew why Gensokyo was home to things like her, she wouldn't have a chance existing in the world beyond.

She was looking at your phone now, holding it carefully with both hands, you had unlocked it and given it to her to see. She didn't really dare touch it, but she was studiously viewing your wallpaper of a beach you'd taken yourself until her hands tapped on something.

"E-Ehh...?! I, mm, I did something! What d-did I do?! I hope I didn't mess anything up!"

You stopped to see, and grinned a little as you took it from her and held it up at her puzzled expression. She blinked at the distinctive snapping noise your phone made when you pressed the screen.

"Hey, I know what is. It's a camera." Mokou said, turning to look at the picture you'd taken of the werewolf, who herself was confounded with a little blush at her own face in high definition.

"You have cameras in Gensokyo?"

"Well, there's a few annoying pests with wings who do. Reporters..."

You found it somewhat worrisome that even a land of myth can't escape the bother that is journalism...

"Gensokyo isn't so automated, as you might have guessed. The only real technology that anyone seems to possess around here would be in the hands of the Kappa, the river Youkai. They are all into engineering, as they call it, and probably far more advanced than the Human Village. Though, they and Humans aren't the closest, despite what Kappa themselves claim-" Kagerou states. "I just know a little of this through my grassroots network... gossip reaches my ears."

"Like she says, the Village of Humans here in Gensokyo might be old-timey by your standards. The most popular labor is physical, the villagers have fields and farms that they attend and work all by hand. In place of the lack of technology you'd find, they at least have mystical arts, diviners, and priests who dabble in Buddhism and Taoism alike." Mokou informed you.

You found it good to hear that there were some who had technology more appropriate for your own era in Gensokyo at least, although you are suspicious to hear they are Youkai in the same sentence. It gave you a lot to think upon.

"How do humans keep the peace in your world if there are millions of them? Surely... surely with so many humans, there's bound to be lots of disagreements, and it's natural that war can follow in such a case, isn't it...?"

That was however, a bit of a random question to be asked by the werewolf. But, you didn't see any harm in telling the truth on the matter.

>Well Kag, Mok, back in my world we have these things called nukes... (1 vote)

"Nukes...?"

"Yeah, nuclear weapons, for nuclear deterrent. You know what a missile is?"

"Oh, of course, missiles are commonly found in many kinds of Danmaku in Gensokyo. What about them?"

"Well, in the Outside World, we have intercontinental missiles, they carry warheads containing the components needed for a nuclear detonation on impact. These missiles are huge, easily as tall as maybe a hundred men. They can fly across the whole world when launched... and they are so explosive, one is enough to wipe out a city."

"TH- THAT SOUNDS AWFUL!"

"Tch-! Humans still used swords and blunts when I wandered the earth! Do the people in your Outside World really keep their peace by threat of mutual destruction?! What gives them to right to kill millions like that?!" Mokou questioned you.

"It's not like nuclear missiles are just thrown whenever two parties have a disagreement. We call it nuclear deterrent because the existence of the nuclear missile has stopped virtually possibility that invasions with armies against one another will happen. The... Outside World, as you call it, is divided into many nations, not every nation has nuclear weapons either, only the biggest and most powerful. We have a pact called the United Nations in which all come together to keep the peace, that way little nations can't destroy each other, because then the bigger ones will step in. And the bigger can't destroy each other, because nobody wants a nuclear war. Does that make any sense?"

That had to be a good enough reason for these Youkai, because that's how it was on planet earth. Uneasy peace of our time.

"I guess it makes sense..." Kagerou sighed.

Fujiwara no Mokou shrugged. "...Well, it it works."

"Lots of nations... and here Gensokyo is mostly divided by clans, or other groups. The village is ran by the elderly chiefs. Most humans just follow the Shrine Maiden who is tasked with Youkai extermination." The werewolf lamented the differences.

Mokou does scratch the bottom of her chin. "...I came from Japan. Does Japan still... exist?"

"Oh, of course. Japan is one of the top nations of the world today. A new Emperor was crowned in, what was it, a year ago? They have one of the best economies, and most of the greatest technology comes from Japan." You tell her, thinking about how much you missed your Playstation at the moment. You'd rather be playing Elden Ring or Scarlet Nexus right now than being lost in another world, but it is what it is... Wait, isn't this situation you're in a genre in certain anime?

"What nation are you from, Outsider?"

"I'm from a place called the United States of America, so I'm American. Though, people from Japan would probably call it 'the West'. We're not like Japan, we don't have an Emperor, the population all vote to decide the leader, who we call the president. It's pretty difficult to explain to someone who's never been there, I... erm... I, ouh... erhm hehhh..."

File: Dream.png (21 KB, 108x158)

21 KB PNG

You stumbled for a second, the Kedama in your arms floating out of them with surprise. Kagerou moved to catch you by the arm as you put a hand on a bamboo tree and leaned against it.
Everything was suddenly beginning to become very dizzy all of a sudden, and you took a deep breath as your skin felt very cold despite your wear. It getting harder to think and find the words.

"H-Hey! What's happening with you now? Are you alright?"

"It's the blood loss, he's becoming lightheaded. He's going to pass out."

You shake your head a bit, though from the way you found yourself acting, it was more like a loss in the muscle to hold you head up, letting it to sway back and forth as you pushed yourself up and tried stepping forward on your hurt feet again.

"No... n-no, I'm fine... I.... eurgh..."

You closed your eyes and felt yourself fall forward...

What came next was a strange feeling in unconsciousness, like something was pinching your skin.

>Dream. You need to relax a bit, you've had a rough past hour or so. A little dreaming will help you get things calmer by the time you awaken from it.
>Try to wake up and address the feeling. Can't lose consciousness yet, you still don't feel in a safe enough spot to. Something's going on, just what?

>>5398716
>Try to wake up and address the feeling. Can't lose consciousness yet, you still don't feel in a safe enough spot to. Something's going on, just what?
Don't go towards the light!

>>5398716
>>Dream. You need to relax a bit, you've had a rough past hour or so. A little dreaming will help you get things calmer by the time you awaken from it.
Smug baku
Baku smug

>>5398748
Oh yeah, Doremy.
>>5398738
Changing to
>Dream. You need to relax a bit, you've had a rough past hour or so. A little dreaming will help you get things calmer by the time you awaken from it.
So we can see the santa sheep

Oh, and happy Cirno day everyone.

File: Apartment.png (1.33 MB, 1140x855)

1.33 MB PNG

>Dream. You need to relax a bit, you've had a rough past hour or so. A little dreaming will help you get things calmer by the time you awaken from it. (2 votes)

In the unconscious mind, the thoughts picking at the brain of yourself soon concluded it best to ignore the nagging, pinching feeling. There was no feeling in the dream body, ejected from the real body, but controlled by the real body.

A real eye opener. No, but really!

Your studio flat, the apartment you rented. Cozy and decently sized for a studio apartment, affordable. You wake up on your bed, lying down across it, still in the same clothes as before. You'd never changed, it seemed.

...

It's night time outside. The hour is around eight, you hear the clock ticking.
It leaves you with the question then, was any of 'that' actually real? Or was it just another dream? Another plain old, stinking dream influenced by your escapism and boredom with real life? What was that genre called again? Isekai or something? Yeah, that's what it all seemed like. Man, it was so generic, getting kidnapped by a "god" to another world. Pretty sure you've read a manga on the internet websites about that before.

You lean up and yawn, stretching out. There wasn't any wounds on your body. Yeah, it was all just a dream. That Big Dipper probably isn't there eith-...

You exclaim; "...Fuck."

The Big Dipper is.

Shit... it was all real. Just your luck, man! You were a bit happier for a second there thinking it was just all a weird acid trip or something! But no! Damn it! The tattoo thing is still there... that means it happened! Is it still happening? Are you really dreaming right now? Or have you somehow been sent back?

Your head bumping into something bubbly that made a squishy noise seemed to confirm the worst; you were still dreaming. And, to add insult to injury, a tail or something protrudes from the bubble and smacks you across the face! And damn, did it feel 'real' enough!

"Well, well, well, dozed off now have we? Fufufu~! At least that smack didn't send you back right away. Now, I have a good chance to fill you in."

That bubbly thing, there were a whole lot of them floating around the space.

File: Dream Soul.png (18 KB, 117x121)

18 KB PNG

"Wh-.. Who are you? What... are you? Where am I?"

"Hnn? I thought you knew already, but you're deep in a dreaming state inside your own head. You entered REM sleep about fifty one minutes ago, but the dream itself hasn't materialized until only a moment ago. You're projected to the world of dreams now, human."

"Okay... but that doesn't answer my other question. Who are 'YOU' supposed to be? And why are you in my head?"

"Why, that's simple. I am one who lives in the dream, you might even say I'm a caretaker of the dreaming world. I am a Baku, a supernatural creature who administers here. Otherwise, you might consider me a friend helping you in your time of need."

"A friend who slaps me in the face?"

"I had to get your attention somehow. Now listen to me, if you want to survive. You may not know it but your life is in greater danger than you could possibly fathom. Gensokyo is a place that is automatically the anathema of your world. Outsiders may as well be cattle. Sooner or later, a Youkai will try to eat you. In fact, the werewolf you encountered, she herself falling under a Youkai classification, thought about eating you the moment she saw you."

"...She... didn't act like that at all."

"Don't be naive. They themselves told you something along the lines of how Outsiders didn't last long, didn't they? The only reason you lasted so long is because of that human, Fujiwara no Mokou. Had she not been there... you could have counted yourself werewolf chow! That mark on your arm meant to protect you? It won't mean diddly do-dah if you cozy up to the Youkai. That's not how it works, oh no no no no no! Your deeds will change the way it works"

You kept quiet, although you were listening. Just, with a suspicious ear at what you're hearing is all.

"You see, so long as you're in Gensokyo, you've got to distance yourself from Youkai. They aren't your friend. Now, when you next awake, you're likely to be in Eientei. That place is also full of deadly Youkai, rabbit Youkai to more specific. Because you trusted the werewolf, you've put yourself in danger. If you don't get out as soon as you can, you can kiss yourself goodbye. Do you get me now?"

"You've got to violently revolt against the creatures and make your escape. Don't worry, I will guide you for your own sake, it's what the god who laid that mark asked of me. Believe it or not, they aren't your enemy, although they did kidnap you. In fact, they'll even send their servants to assist you soon enough, but you have to escape Eientei. If you find yourself cornered, you better be ready to attack! With whatever you can use!"

"Understand?"

"..."

You squint at the pink blobby thing from which an Ox tail wiggled out of at you.

>What will you do? Can you trust this... 'Baku'?

>>5399027
Grab the tail and PULL IT.

>>5399027
>Sorry, I may have ignored most of bible studies, but I remember that God makes offer to his chosen ones, instead of kidnapping and forcing them. So you can go tell that fake god to stuff it up their own ass.
>I remember that Kagerou just said that the mark got weaker when I didn't kill the Kedama, and that some Youkai think it's a bounty instead of protection. I bet that the demon that brought me here only wants me to cause chaos and them be teared apart while they laught.
>No hard feeling with you though, don't shoot the messanger and all that.
Might as well appeal to the other side of being american: Jesus.
Should have isekai'd a japanese teenager instead door hag.

>>5399055
>>5399046

+1

Reaching up after you give her your skeptical confutation, you grabbed the Ox tail and gave it a yank.

"W-oh-OH!"

The floor beneath you suddenly falls out like an overfull cardboard box, fitting for the shape of your studio flat. The space in which you fell was a bright and colorful one, full of what looked to be a sea of clouds without end. A dream was malleable after all. Of course, that didn't make it any less terrifying as you fell and fell and fell screaming into the void of this place!

"Oh hu hu hu~! Naive, very naive. What did I just say? Your deeds change the way it works. Cozying up will weaken it. And you did cozy up to that floating, puffy Youkai."

Now her voice sounds like it's coming from all over! What gives? Where is she at- wait, what is...

"Puf!"

You break your fall through the cloudy void by landing on a huge and bouncy pink blob, or so it seems. With you laying it, it deforms into an almost jelly beaned shape. Just what was this stuff? It felt warm.

"I think it might be worthwhile to tell you, your ideas of divinity in the land you came from differ drastically in Gensokyo, almost like a culture shock. There is no central power, and there are more than one god here as well, but I think you'll come to find that one out on your own. To be honest, I don't even know why the god who kidnapped you did so themselves... I just help them out of mutual benefit, and they did ask me to keep an eye out for you, through your dreams."

"How, hgn- considerate." You sarcastically sassed the voice.

She just laughs again.

That same pink blop from before with the Ox tail wiggling from it descended into your view, tail retracting inside the plushy form, before it suddenly expanded a bit. You saw... a white and puffy end slither out of the interior. Was that a Kedama?
No, there's something else, something red. Wait, no, it's a person.

File: The Baku.png (2.12 MB, 2132x2248)

2.12 MB PNG

She seems to 'pop' out of the pop and then plop right right down onto it herself. Another strange looking girl, accompanied by floating objects, swarmed by many of the pink blobs. She has the most damn smug look on her face that you've ever seen anybody else wear in your life.

"What...? Are you supposed to be dressed like Santa Claus or something?"

"I believe Mrs. Claus is a better comparison... but no. Though I will admit, the fact that so many children dream of father Christmas at the last month of every year has inspired me to wear my cap in the same colors."

"How jolly. You called this a 'world of dreams' by the way...?"

"That's right. The Dream World contains every dream happening right now, in existence. Whole worlds can be built from thought here, and interacted with through one's 'Dream Self'. When they awaken, the dream expires and their 'Dream Self' is returned to their true body. A Baku such as me has full control over this realm, I can create dreams in people's minds, or change them however I like, because my true form exists in the Dream World, and can leave to become physical or not if I please. In other words, imagination has unlimited power here."

"This... this is some Twin Peaks shit... w-who are you?"

"Doremy Sweet. I am the Ruler of the Dream World. I won't make any quarrel with you. Like I said, I was asked to offer you some assistance by your kidnapper. The offer still stands. You can come here to contact me any time! You only need to dream hard."

She really leaves a bad taste in your mouth... and you get the feeling that despite her name, she isn't actually all that sweet.

"Well now, it looks like you're about to awaken. All that prodding is really going to amount, what a shame... Still, you should take my advice, and flee Eientei as soon as you might. Just go on the run. The god who kidnapped you has something planned, and if your goal is return to your own world, then complying will certainly be the fastest way."

"Don't have a rude awakening now~!"

Doremy twiddles her finger at you, like she was using it to push a dial. The pink blob of pure dream stuff you found yourself situated on began to sag, all lopsided! It was going to overturn and drop you back to the clouds below in this dream void! You tried using your imagination to form a rope or something, extending from the sky to grab on. But, it doesn't seem like it's working, no matter how hard you think. Doremy must be nullifying your imagination in this so-called Dream World!

>W-Wait! I have a question before I wake up! [Input]
>What a shady figure. She can't be trusted. Time to just awaken and get out of here.

>>5399287
>What a shady figure. She can't be trusted. Time to just awaken and get out of here.
Her smug aura mocks us.

>>5399287
>What a shady figure. She can't be trusted. Time to just awaken and get out of here.
So Doremy is working with the wheelchair bitch. This really mixes things up.....
Add Doremy to the list of 2hus we have to spank for messing with us

So, Hermit training
Yes or nah?

>>5399319
Nah, too much to bother with all the religious training.
Let's become a wizard instead, at least it's more fun.

>>5399339
But Hermit training is cool, we could become a lazy superpowered autist like Seiga
Learning magic means having to interact with some stinky witch like Marisa or that shut in Alice

>>5399352
Ok here's a compromise:
Wizard Hermit with a gun.

>>5399356
Actually, that reminds me, if we have a gun we could probably get it to be special somehow like how Sumeriko is commonly depicted with a gun

File: Wabbit.jpg (72 KB, 245x334)

72 KB JPG

The last thing you see is Doremy waving back down at you with that high and mighty grin of hers as you plummet down into the depths of the dreamscape.

Eventually, it comes to a point where you simply shut your eyes, and the feeling of falling vanishes entirely...

...to be replaced with the feeling of the pinching, once more.

"Udongein, are you almost finished preparing our guest?" You heard the mature voice of another lady say out loud.

"Oh yeah... Y-Yes, one second, sensei! I'll be done quickly!"

Preparing...?

You feel yourself laying down on your back, you can feel the cool air against your exposed leg as well! Oh god, was... was that Baku not kidding? She said that whatever you do, you'd have been wise to escape 'Eientei', because of the dangerous 'rabbit Youkai' living there. That's where you were now, weren't you?

You, as subtly as possible, crack open one eyelid.

"...?"

You see through it, a... a girl with shiny purple hair... and above that, the ears of... of a rabbit! Worse thing is, she seemed to notice your return to consciousness and stared right into your barely opened eye herself! Supernatural creatures, they'd always know when you were faking it or not, wouldn't they?!

"Sensei, the Outsider is awake."

Screw this, you weren't getting eaten today!
Both of your eyes open, and you spring up, coming to see...!

-coming to see that you were... in a bed, on the floor. In a quiet and nifty little room.
There were shelves, cabinets, a few desks, and jars here and there strewn about. As well as bottles, and what looked like medical tools of some questionable frame of age here and there. Some fine arts and posters of the human anatomy hung up on the wall, and through the windows, you could see that it was night time with a star filled sky.

"Hey! It's okay, calm down, you shouldn't put yourself under any duress while you're busy healing!" The Rabbit to your side says, putting her hands against your shoulders and gently trying to nudge you back into bed.

File: The Doctor is in.jpg (786 KB, 870x613)

786 KB JPG

A good look at your own body reveals, in what you found quite embarrassing just then, that you had been stripped down to nothing but your undergarments, though you could see why. You were covered in bandage wrappings, from your legs to your arms and body. Your right hand and shoulders were heavily wrapped up too.

You sighed and allowed yourself to be pushed back down to the bed. The Rabbit there gave her own sigh of relief

"That's better. I just finished all your bandaging after your wounds had been cleaned for dirt. You don't want any of them to come free or loose! Just sit back and relax and allow the medicine to do its work, please! Ahem, all finished, sensei! Did my best!"

The Rabbit timidly pulled a cover up over your body as you sat down and got your breathing under control before she stood up and walked off to the side, and you were glad to be covered at least now... So, you also took it that the Baku, Doremy, was probably a massive liar trying to edge you into the route that your kidnapper would prefer, like a piece on a playing board. This Rabbit certainly wasn't eating you alive right now. It looked like what Fujiwara no Mokou had told you was right, you were in the care of a medical professional.

"Very good, Reisen. Here, give him this and that will be all." You heard that same mature voice say.

Looking over, you were approached then by the Rabbit, and a, in your opinion at least, rather plumpy woman in red and blue, kneeling down besides you. She wore a hat with a red cross on it, and extended her hands to offer you a tablet, looks like, whilst the Rabbit set a cup of water down near you and nodded before she got up and went towards the door.

"Here, take this pill. It's a medicine I made up. Kedama have a very light and tolerable venom to their bite. This pill is designed to purge it from your bloodstream so you won't end up suffering minor headaches from it, or hallucinations. It's safe and effective. Trust me, I'm a Doctor."

"Doctor...? You're the one I heard about." You tell her, accepting the tablet. It was half brown, half white. You nodded at her and took the cup, popping the pill before drinking to get it down.

"Hm. Indeed, I'm Yagokoro Eiren, and I run this office of sorts. Although, I normally use the term pharmacist over doctor myself."

"So, so I'm all patched up then...? I still feel really sore."

"With help from my student, acting as your nurse. You won't have to worry about any chance of infection, we've thoroughly cleaned the wounds and disinfected them. That pill will ensure your only need now is staying hydrated. I suggest getting plenty of rest, it is late at night. I'll check back on you in the morning." She says with a little smile as stands up then and makes her way out.

"Wait..." You say.

She turned and glanced at you curiously.

"Uh..m... Thanks, doc." You state, wanting to be courteous despite how tired you felt.

She smiled again and bowed slightly. "It was no problem. In fact, it was even a change of the usual pace. I don't get many patients in such critical condition, or Outsiders for that matter. You're lucky you were brought here in the nick of time by Mokou. If you had bled out too much in the forest, you might have even died, especially from contracting a sickness."

"By the way, can I please have your name? I need it for my medical records, if you please." Eirin asks you.

>[Input name].
>I'd rather not say. How about just put me under... 'Outsider from America' or something.

>>5399468
>and a, in your opinion at least, rather plumpy woman in red and blue
Hehehe

>>5399470
Nicholas
I was going to choose the other option but the santa talk with Doremy got me inspired

>>5399468
>Albert

>>5399470
Whatever we decide our name to be, our surname needs to be Perry.
We are an american on an isolitionalist edo era fantasy japan, it's too much of an oportunity to pass up.

>>5399507
Support this for first name.
I just put Nicholas Perry on google and it's Nikocado Avocado name.

>>5399642
Oh god, you're right
Yeah, switching to Albert too

Another name could be Robert Perry, to reference Oppenheimer, since we mentioned nukes while talking.
We have become death, petter of Yokais.

>>5399652
Oh, and that would make two references for when America dealt with Japan.
The nukes, and the black ships. Kind on the nose, but there's Yukari and Maribel being walking references to a proto-weaboo.
Albert Perry is still good though.

You open your mouth to speak your name for a second, but reflect briefly upon how naming worked in Japan. That girl in the red pants said she was originally from Japan, and this place was called Gensokyo. Didn't they usually say their last names before their first names? Well, you'll give it a shot.

"My name is Albert. Perry Albert. If you need my home for any reason, I'm from a place called Manhattan."

"Hm. Alright then, it's not like I'll be able to use your home or address for any reason, I do keep track of that for medicine deliveries in Gensokyo. Well, that will be all, Perry Albert. Please, get plenty of rest now." Eirin tells you before she snaps her fingers, making every lantern within the office oust to darken it. You watched her as she closed the door behind herself.

An American like you is never going to understand why they make their doors out of paper and thin wooden beams. Didn't they worry about animals trying to tear their way through? That had to be a worry in a place like this, with these Youkai things. But then again, that human girl in the red pants could make fire and kill them easily... you're not sure yet what the Rabbit or the Doctor herself can do.

You grabbed the cup of water and drank it all down, setting it to the side before you laid back and shut your eyes to catch some more sleep. You'd try your best not to dream this time.

File: Eientei at Night.jpg (61 KB, 736x490)

61 KB JPG

...


Night eventually perishes to day.

...

File: s-l1000.jpg (112 KB, 700x1000)

112 KB JPG

Eyes flutter open slowly to the welcome sight of early morning sunlight, it feels warm against the skin.
Pushing the cover down as you sit up in the futon you rested in, you rubbed your eyelids and silently thanked the lord or whatever that you didn't have to encounter that smug dream demon again. You'd really liked to have shown her a thing or two.

Taking a look around, you notice the doctor's office hasn't really changed. The cup you drank from last night was gone, and to your right you saw something put out for you, folded clothing or the like. Grabbing it and unfolding it, you see it is some kind of kimono. Really, a summer yukata perfect for this weather. It was what you changed into fast to coverup.

You were feeling a lot better from yesterday, not nearly as sore now. That medicine you took must have worked a wonder. Now all you wanted to do was see what was up around here, at this place named Eientei.

Hmm...

Cruelty: 0%
Grace: 0.90%

>[Write in]
>What about your stuff? You'll be needing that before you can set off again.
>You could go for some grub, eating wouldn't hurt. Maybe someone can help you.
>You wonder where those two who helped you are now. You should probably find out about their whereabouts.
>The doctor, you should see her first of all. And where is your Kedama?
>Say, these medicines worked wonders. There's more of them in the various jars in here. Surely maybe one or two wouldn't be missed. Besides, it's for your own survival... (Cruelty 1+)

File: 9.jpg (363 KB, 1911x2048)

363 KB JPG

I claim this get in the name of Baka.

>>5399990
>You wonder where those two who helped you are now. You should probably find out about their whereabouts.
Gotta find Mokou since she's our ticket to seeing Raymoo and getting to the village.

>>5400000
>almost gets full 9s
>fumbles it in true baka spirit
lol

>>5399990
>What about your stuff? You'll be needing that before you can set off again.
Have to make sure we got everything.

>>5399990
>What about your stuff? You'll be needing that before you can set off again.
We are going to have to pay Mokou for safe journey to the village. I wonder if she will accept dollars.
>>5400000
So close.
But it's still quint, so it remains worthy of the strongest.

>>5400029
But I still want to see our Kedama.
I'm going to name him Puffy.

File: __reisen_udongein_inaba_t(...).jpg (228 KB, 1052x819)

228 KB JPG

>What about your stuff? You'll be needing that before you can set off again. (2 votes)

Yeah, you hoped none of it got misplaced or lost along the way on your trip here. You wouldn't feel so safe without your little friend, even with your Big Dipper. Plus, you had to procure a payment for Mokou, and you still weren't sure yet on whether or not she would accept the good ole' US Dollar...

Sliding the door aside and stepping out of the office space, you were met with multiple hallways that trailed down the enormous ways of this mansion. The floors were a nice wooden finish, everything here looked pretty extravagant to be honest, almost too much for your city lifer tastes. You were more comfortable with simpler things, though this was still nice.

Stepping down the hallway to your left you decided to take, you come upon a window eventually and peer outside to see a clothes line... and it looked like your clothing were drying on it as well! Bingo.

"Yah-dah-deh-deh-da-dah! Hmmm hmhm hm!"

Huh, someone's humming, or singing right around the corner, of another one of those paper doors leading outside. You peek around to see... that Rabbit girl from earlier... playing with your glock, twirling it around her finger by the trigger. Thank god it was somehow not firing! There were a few other bunnies hopping around themselves, who themselves were white and appeared as actual animals, with one giving the Rabbit girl a doubtful, tired gaze, as if judging her antic.

"Gonna solve an incident myself, Tewi'll see. I'll blast anything that gets in my way, Oni, Dragon, or even Kami's, it'll be! Pow-pow! Watch them all fall, the bullet solves everything!"

Heh, now that's something you could agree with. But, better cut this short, before she accidentally does shoot a bullet.

"Hey?"

"Bweh-!"

She froze in the middle of her act, twliring the glock into the air. She fumbled on her feet, trying to catch it, somehow failing as it bounced in her hands a few times before she caught it, staring up at you with a red face of embarrassment at what you saw.

"Don't you know the golden rule about firearms, lady?"

"G-G-guh-Golden rule...?!"

"Yeah," You smiled with amusement as you stepped up and took the glock from her, holding it with proper trigger discipline. "-treat all guns as loaded. Especially with these Glocks. Herr Glock doesn't design his pistolas with external safeties."

Inside, you breath a sigh of relief as you set the glock down on a nearby table, which also you saw your other possessions upon. Your phone, your wallet, pocket knife, and comb.

The Rabbit laughed nervously as she rubbed the back of her head. "S-Sorry! I don't think I've ever seen a proper Human weapon before. F-From the actual planet Earth, that they all call the Outside World here, I-I mean! I'm more accustomed to Lunarian weapons like my own!"

"Lunarian...?"

"H-Huh? You don't know what I mean? B-But your planet declared war on the Moon, and-and... and... uhm... n-never mind! That's not important right now!"

War? On the Moon? Lu-nar-ians? Like what, a Moon people? Lunatics? What the hell was she talking about? Good lord, what else are you going to find out exists? Hell itself?

"U-Uh! That was a sloppy i-introduction! I'm sorry! I'm Reisen Udongein Inaba, I'm Eirin's student. She instructed me to thoroughly clean your garments and make sure nothing gets misplaced. I-I didn't touch anything... well, besides your gun. I-I hope it was satisfactory, I even sowed the torn parts!"

A once over your clothes reveals the repairs performed to it. They looked good as new, you had to admit, it was a great job.
You smile and give the Rabbit a thumbs up.

"Hey, that's great. Thanks, thanks a lot, I really appreciate it."

She seems to be incredibly receptive to praise for her work and seems pleasantly relieved with a nod.

"Excellent. N-Now, it is morning time. If you'd like breakfast to keep your health up, I'm pretty sure the other Rabbits have pounded mochi by now."

"What's that? Sorry, I'm not familiar just yet."

"No problem. Mochi are rice cakes, they're plenty good and filling if you want something delicious. Oh, but we also have tea a-and yakitori, cooked by Mokou."

"Oh, sounds nice. I'll... think about." You say, still unsure whether or not you were going to get slapped with a hospital check by Eirin since she asked for your name last night. Still unsure whether or not partaking the facilities of this 'Eientei' might increase it or not...

You were also left wondering just what was up with this Rabbit girl as well. Reisen, eh? You think you heard Kagerou utter her name along the trip somewhere, and that she was 'pretty nice' or decent or something. She seemed incredibly shy in person to you however. Maybe it's just when she deals with unfamiliar company. She also seemed a bit concerned a second there over whether or not you were going to praise her work. Huh... kind of reminds you of earlier life in school yourself, and constantly trying to gain recognition from professors and teachers by doing better in certain subjects than others. Too bad it didn't really go anywhere.

"Do you have any clue where my Kedama is? I was carrying one before I fell unconscious..." You say, having your priorities in check.

"Oh, I saw sensei handling it herself. It's a pretty tame Youkai, she's got to still be looking after it. Fujiwara no Mokou is here as well, she said she'd wait in case you needed her expertise."

"Was there a werewolf there or here now?"

"Oh, you mean Kagerou...? She had to, u-uh... leave. You see, she can't really be out when the moon is up, f-for obvious reasons."

Oh, that makes sense. You'd have liked to at least say bye, but it is what it is.

"What about this place? What can you tell me about Eientei?"

"This mansion is about the only bastion of civilization in the Bamboo forest! It's mostly presided over by the princess, Lady Houraisan Kaguya, and sensei. As well, nearly all the Rabbit Youkai come here. I'm their servant, and guardian as well... and I command the Rabbits alongside Inaba Tewi... who I would recommend well for you to not humor, unless you wanna be tricked and toyed with. She may be a wise and old Rabbit, but she can be a real nuisance as well!"

Suddenly, there was a loud noise from behind the mansion walls, as if a pair of semi-trucks had just collided head on. That didn't sound very good...

"What..."

"Oh, that's how you know Mokou is around. She and lady Kaguya must be fighting again." Reisen says before rolling her eyes.

Well... at least the Rabbit has become more casual speaking, as you see. Also, wait a minute... did she say... 'again'?

>[Write in]
>Um... you know what? Breakfast does sound nice right about now. That Mochi is fresh, yeah?
>Before anything else, I want to confirm if I'm indebted to Eirin or not with some bill for the medical care.
>Uh, can't just stand around here now, maybe you can put a stop to it somehow? Time to find out!
>Tell me something else about Eientei. [Input]
>Tell me things about Gensokyo. I need some advice ahead of time to be better safe than sorry. [Input]
>So... that whole song back there when you were holding my gun. "Gonna solve an incident myself". What's that about, Reisen?

>>5400480
>Before anything else, I want to confirm if I'm indebted to Eirin or not with some bill for the medical care.
>Um... you know what? Breakfast does sound nice right about now. That Mochi is fresh, yeah?
>So... that whole song back there when you were holding my gun. "Gonna solve an incident myself". What's that about, Reisen?

>>5400480
>>So... that whole song back there when you were holding my gun. "Gonna solve an incident myself". What's that about, Reisen?
And then when we're done messing with the bnuuy I want to go immediately to
>Uh, can't just stand around here now, maybe you can put a stop to it somehow? Time to find out!

>>5400480
>Um... you know what? Breakfast does sound nice right about now. That Mochi is fresh, yeah?
>Well, since you were so enmaured with my little Glock, want to learn more about it?
Shooting buddy

>Um... you know what? Breakfast does sound nice right about now. That Mochi is fresh, yeah?
We hongry.

>>5397042

>A deep, lush forest under the arms of a mountaintop.
>A bristling blue and misty lake surrounded by trees.
>A dense and packed bamboo forest that felt cool.
>A field that goes on and on, of sunflowers.

The second I read "misty lake," I knew exactly what this was going to be. I'm very, very happy--been looking for something in this setting for quite some time. Also lmao at sunflowers almost an instant dead end

>>5400721
Yuuka probably wouldn't instakill the MC unless he stepped on a flower.
Probably.
Maybe because of the mark.

>>5400725
The worst Yuuka would do is spacezin us

>>5400747
I'm not sure what that means and I'm afraid to ask.
My first guess it's a hentai artist that does femdom. Guess 1.5 is that he does vore.

>>5400757
CBT

>>5400769
I'll chalk it up as me being half right.

File: Comfy.jpg (1.11 MB, 2048x1226)

1.11 MB JPG

>Um... you know what? Breakfast does sound nice right about now. That Mochi is fresh, yeah? (3 votes)

"Of course. The Rabbits make it for certain festivals... but honestly speaking, they make it just whenever they feel like having a good snack. This way."

With that, you tried your best to ignore the explosive sounds coming from the other side of Eientei. You already witnessed what that girl in the red pants can do... you didn't feel like you wanted to get up close and personal with it either. You merely gulped and looked back, grabbing your wallet and stuffing it into the belt keeping your yukata closed before following Reisen down the halls of Eientei, the little white rabbits you saw around hopping in the mansion interior and along with you both as well.

By the time Reisen led you to the dining room, you were surprised when the little white rabbits about suddenly hopped up from your peripherals. Only this time, they weren't actual rabbits anymore, but now in the shape of giggling little girls with rabbit ears in dresses of a variety of warmer colors! Some with hats.

"Snack time!"
"I'm starved!"
"I hope they made lotsa mochi!"

"W-Woah!"

And there were a few more in this area, you saw them through an open shade just outside the dining hall lifting mallets or something similar to pound a green mush in a thick wooden mortar, in an almost rhythmic way as they hummed along and laughed. That green mush was steaming, and it did look pretty tasty, and smelled that way as well, that was mochi you guessed. This all seemed... charming, in it's own way, even if you were still adjusting to the unreal elements of these creatures.

The dining hall itself had a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere. There were a stack of used calendars below the current one on the wall, along with newspapers, and some odd bits and ends here and there. A small statue of a lion or something? A case with some fans on display, and the wooden floor actually had soft carpets. You could get used to this.

"Here, have a seat." Reisen offered before she stepped towards the white rabbits and whistled with her fingers. "Hey, we have a guest here, Tewi! He'd like to try some of your rabbits' prized mochi."

"La-la-la...? Hmhm, is that so? Coming right up!"

You look down at a table barely lifted off the floor, with a blanket built into it? Oh right, they sit on the floor in Japan! This is going to be weary on your used-to-chairs legs...
You just try your best to get comfortable sitting with crossed legs on a cushion at the table, struggling a moment to get your legs under the table's blanket thingy...

File: White Hare of Good Fortune.jpg (352 KB, 850x1095)

352 KB JPG

...And not a second later as you get seated does it take for a gaggle of dishes to suddenly plop down in front of your face on the table! A black square dish with chicken meat skewers that were sizzling and warm, a round bowl with plush and green little rice cakes, and a bowl of warmed rice with red beans mixed in. A pair of chopsticks is offered to you.

"A-ha~, then you must be Eirin's latest patient."

"Yes, that's me. Oh, thanks for the grub." You say, taking the chopsticks from the small Rabbit with black hair standing next to you.

"Nah, nah~! It's just general hospitality to feed guests and visitors to your home, especially when they just got out the hospital, eh stranger?"

"Tewi..." Reisen says with a little annoyance as she sits across from you at the kotatsu. "-You know humans can't eat without drink. You don't want him to choke, do you?"

"Oh! Pardon me, I almost forgot," Tewi says with a mischievous smile, revealing a cup she hid behind her back and handing it to you. "-some green tea for you to wash those cakes down with, mister."

Inside the cup was a clear liquid. You sip it.

"Bleck!"

And spit it right back out into the cup, scowling at the foul taste!

"Oopsie! Looks like I got the tea confused with the dirty dishwater again! My bad~!" Tewi says, promptly taking the dishwater cup back and replacing it with the actual green tea before she giggled and skipped off back to her fellow Earth Rabbits.

Little heckler, how many of Gensokyo's residents were going to prank you like this...?! Never matter. You just sigh and take the chopsticks up, you knew how to handle them from all those times you ordered from your favorite sushi joint. Otaku knowledge came surprisingly in handy, for what little you claimed to have.

File: Yum.jpg (21 KB, 500x348)

21 KB JPG

"S-Sorry," Reisen apologized with an embarrassed expression yet again. "-those Earth Rabbits just have no manners sometimes! But at least they only mean it playfully! Anyways, I'm sure you'll enjoy the meal. These mochi are kusa mochi, made with yogomi, these chicken yakitori were cooked by Mokou herself and reheated over a flame, and this rice dish is sekihan. Feel free to dig in!"

She really seemed to want to save face after the little prank you endured, so you just smiled and picked one of the delightful green lumps up to bite into. It had a very savory taste to it, it was pretty good!

"It's alright, I guess I should be expecting anything at this point. This is a really good meal though! I haven't eaten this good in a month. It is a far cry from reheated pizza night for the umpteenth time."

Reisen was satisfied to hear that, beginning to get up herself. "I'm g-glad to hear it! Now if you need anything, I'll be down the hall, just call me if you need something..."

"Wait, actually, I did want to ask you something."

She blinked to you, and sat back down, curious to hear your question.

>So... that whole song back there when you were holding my gun. "Gonna solve an incident myself". What's that about, Reisen? (2 votes)

Then came the blush of bashfulness again as she looked away to the floor to avoid direct eye contact. She seemed pretty antisocial, all things considered up to this point.

"W-W-Weh-Well, i-it's a bit complex, ehe... I'm n-not really sure how well and Outsider'd get it... N-NOT THAT I'M IMPLYING ANYTHING, OH GOODNESS N-NO!"

"H-Hey, it's alright, I'm not offended." You say, raising a hand in the hopes of settling her down. "If it's something you're not comfortable talking about, we don't have t-"

Reisen was practically breaking out into a summer heat's worth of sweat as she stammered.

"W-Well, see, the thing is! H-Here in Gensokyo, sometimes there's big events a-a-and they're called 'Incidents', and they can be anything! A huge problem for t-the entire r-region, or even a great catastrophe! And there's normally a few people wh-o-o use their powers to solve Incidents, like the Shrine Maidens at Hakurei a-and Moriya! W-Well! I was involved in one once and helped defend Gensokyo! And I-I contributed my part to helping solve it, but Tewi doubted me! She said that... that I didn't do much of anything and it was the Hakurei and Moriya Mikos a-and that Witch who solved it, and that all I-I did was just go shoot some stuff up!"

O-Oh...? Well that's...

File: Reisen.Udongein.Inaba.600(...).jpg (47 KB, 355x600)

47 KB JPG

"So now here I'm left thinking m-my work wasn't really all that appreciated, despite what sensei and the Princess keep telling me! S-So now I'm hoping another big incident will happen again, and that I can be the first on the case! I wanna... wanna show Tewi that she's just running her mouth! I want them all to see that I, Reisen Udongein Inaba, can be just as good at resolving incidents as the Hakurei Shrine Maiden and her Witch friend are!"

As she was finished with her lengthy explanation about her singing, and her self-conscious problem right now, Reisen had a sure enough look on her face, one that spelled out determination as she held her hands close to her chest and pursed her lips into a pouty shape.

You were left baffled by all that baggage unpacked all at once and just blinked back at her own red eyes. You did ask, and you suppose you got what you wanted, more or less.
Reisen, after a few seconds, suddenly looked surprised at herself for throwing it all out there. Quietly, you heard Tewi giggling again around the corner from where they were pounding mochi. Reisen's ears drooped down a little and she had a single tear of embarrassment welt in her left eyelid before she looked away nervously again.

"S-Sorry, I let that get a little o... out of hand...!"

Awkward quietness.

You raised and took another bite of your kusa mochi and listened to Reisen's breathing. Rubbing your chin, you thought of what to say. In many ways... she once again reminded you of some of your own experiences. You could get wanting to be capable and proven like she wanted to be, you could sympathize with wanting to show jerks like Tewi that even what someone as smug as them says can get disproven easily.

"So... Reisen, do you consider it an incident that I'm here in Gensokyo now after I was kidnapped and, er, spirited away I guess?"

Her ears twitched. "H-Huh..? What do you mean...?"

"Well, if you consider something like what happened with me... to be an, Incident, or sorts, you are right here now, the first person who wants to solve it, close to me." You say with a smile.

She stared at you with shock, slowly becoming more aware of what you meant to imply to her.

>Well, since you were so enamored with my little Glock, want to learn more about it? (1 vote)

Reisen suddenly looked pleased to hear that, as if she had just realized the miracle in front of her now. Suddenly beaming with confidence, Reisen nodded at you rapidly.

"Y-Yes! Sure! A-And in return, I'll show you your way around my own weapon!" She said.

Reisen reached for her belt, unhooking and then lifting what appeared to be a megaphone of some sort with little rabbit ears on them.

"This may not look like much, but it is a powerful energy weapon of high technological design! You won't find much that can hold out against it! I read Eirin's documents. Your name's Albert, right? W-Well, Albert, I swear to help you solve your own Incident! Together, we'll show them all what a Rabbit can do!"

Reisen Udongein Inaba joins your party.

The party is your primary means of defense, as a completely ordinary human in Gensokyo, and an Outsider, no less. As Outsiders are exempt from the Spell Card Rules that govern disputes and their settling in Gensokyo, you will have to rely on willing partners to engage in Danmaku on your behalf, as this is not forbidden.

Three is a party, but four is the limit. Anymore than this would be considered a grounds for conflict, or make people think an Incident is brewing, drawing unwanted attention. Be careful not to travel with more than four companions in your party at any given time.

File: Lady of Eternity.jpg (473 KB, 709x800)

473 KB JPG

You were glad to have someone willing to help you. Reisen was a welcome addition compared to having to travel alone or do anything all by yourself in a foreign land you weren't familiar with. The Moon Rabbit swears she'll be ready to set out as soon as you are, and would be waiting to depart Eientei together, whenever you were ready to consult Mokou.

You were left alone to finish your meal, this breakfast cooked by the residents here. It was swell and you felt energized to have eaten now. All in all, you didn't believe that the bandages on your wounds would be too much of a bother now. Some Earth Rabbits come and clean up your dishes once you finish and you prepare to leave the dining hall to find Mokou.

Although, you don't have a problem with that at all, as Fujiwara no Mokou herself suddenly stormed into the kitchen, with a sizzling look about her face.

"Oh, there you are. I've been looking for you. I was hoping you were ready to set out soon. I don't want to spend anymore time here than I have to."

"Ho ho ho! Eager to get away with your consort so fast, Mokou-tan?" An elegant voice followed the girl in red pants to the dining hall.

You saw Mokou visibly grit her teeth.

Who entered could only be described as someone with... with unnatural beauty! Even you almost stumbled on your feet when beholding such a lavish lady!

"Ah, so this is the strapping gentleman you've secured! Ohohoho! Very sou."

"I... ah, thanks...?"

"Oh, this is the first time meeting, isn't it. Allow me to introduce myself then..." The lady said, pinching her long skirt as she bowed in a polite fashion slightly. "I am Houraisan Kaguya. I am the Lady of Eientei, and Sinner of Eternity."

You didn't know how to react. She was said to be a princess, yes? She was royalty then. You bowed your head slightly. "Ah... N-Nice to meet you too. I'm... Albert."

"Fufufu~ How mannered. You've surely obtained a fine one now, Mokou~"

Mokou scoffed and clenched a fist. "I told you to cut it out already, Kaguya! It isn't like that, at all!"

The Princess smirked and closed both eyes.

"Again with the denial, how abrasive... You, Mokou, who spend most of your time alone show up to Eientei's doorstep with a wounded man asking for Eirin to take care of him, and you spend the night awaiting his recuperation... Do you truly expect to deceive me that it is not simply you caring," Kaguya paused, opening one eye at Mokou; "-for your new lover?"

EHHHHHHHHHHHHHH???!!!!

You nearly fell back in shock at what she was saying. Mokou looked like she was about to burst into flames, literally too!

"I TOLD YOU! I DON'T HAVE A BOYFRIEND! I ONLY FOUND HIM IN THE WOODS GETTING ATTACKED BY YOUKAI! THAT'S ALL!" She yelled, blushing madly at Kaguya's teasing.

"H-Hey! You've got the wrong idea for sure! There isn't anything between us, it's like she says, I was just found in..."

"Ohhh~?"

Kaguya folded the arms behind her back and stepped closer to you. Her pretty face was especially overwhelming from this range! Aw jeez! What've you gotten into now...?!

"So, if what Mokou is saying is true, then it's just like I knew... Mokou is not woman enough to get a man for herself after all... how sad..."

"H-HEY! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING NOW-?!"

"Fufufufu! That's to be expected of you, Mokou, for being such a manly woman. This human is free after all. Well, tell me then, Albert, who's better?"

"...H-Huh?! What are you asking me... exactly?"

"Who is more beautiful between us? Surely, you must recognize that it is not Mokou, for she is too manly a woman, and that is why she has no partner. I, on the other hand, am a true lady. I could make any man fall for me, easily~ So, do you not admit it's true then? I, Kaguya, am known far and wide as the most beautiful woman in all of Gensokyo. Maybe even the entire universe~"

Karma
Cruelty: 0%
Grace: 0.90%

>[Insult Mokou with the truth] I do admit, you are more beautiful than Mokou for sure... (Cruelty 1+)
>[Insult Kaguya with a lie] To be p-perfectly honest... I find Mokou pettier. (Cruelty 2+, Grace 1+)

>>5400950
>"Lady, I'll keep my opinions to myself. If you want to win this cock measuring contest get someone else because I'm not getting involved."

>>5400950
>[Insult Kaguya with a lie] To be p-perfectly honest... I find Mokou pettier. (Cruelty 2+, Grace 1+)
Kaguya deserves it.

>>5400950
>Am I a beauty pagent judge now? I'm not getting involved in this high schooler level of petty competition.

>>5400991
>>5401046
Come on bros, write in isn't an option, it isn't a huge karma impact this time to pick or choose
We can't please everyone

>>5401052
Fine
>[Insult Kaguya with a lie] To be p-perfectly honest... I find Mokou pettier. (Cruelty 2+, Grace 1+)
But can instead of a lie just say that we prefer her attitude way more? I doesn't matter if someone is pretty if they act like a rotten egg.
Also she kind of saved our life. And I believe in tomboy supremacy[/spoilef]

>>5401052
alright then >>5400950 changing my vote >>5400991 to support this >>5401058

>calling Mokou prettier is a lie
Giga gay, I find Mokou to be better than Kaguya all around, hmph (other than that bit where she murdered an innocent man to steal the Hourai Elixir but she felt bad about it)
My immortal yakitori shopkeep can't be this cute

>>5401114
To be fair, Kaguya is canonically considered the most beautiful 2hu of them all, so it would be a lie to say she isn't
HOWEVER in my opinion gappy is the prettiest and Kaguya is twat so anything that makes her jealous or angry is what we should always default to

File: IMG_20220829_223825.jpg (295 KB, 824x2048)

295 KB JPG

>>5401122
>gap hag
>not Yuugi, with muscles that could snap our mortal spine like a tiny little twig
Also don't know how much Reisen will appreciate us dunking on Kaguya considering she's her boss

>>5401114
It's a reference to the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, where the moon princess Kaguya is so pretty she enchants pretty much everyone.
Zun managed to make her even more of a spoiled brat.
But I agree that Mokou is cuter than her. Kagerou is even more though

>>5401129
Gappy is forever 17 you reprobate
Yuugi is too big, and oni are just dumb brutes

>>5401134
>oni are just dumb brutes
What about Kasen?

>>5401137
>kasen
>oni
Huh? All I see is an ordinary hermit there, what are you talking about?

>>5401129
Hopefully Gun Bun knows that bros goes before (tou)hoes.
Mokou may be a girl, but she is our honorary bro.

File: Spoiler Image (394 KB, 888x1242)

394 KB JPG

>>5401134
>oni are just dumb brutes
The best kind of company. My liver wouldn't last a day, but it'd be worth it.
>>5401130
I'm familiar with the tale, one of the stories my mother read to me during my childhood (though I always preferred Momotaro).
>Kagerou
Alright, wolf is good. I can't deny that. Momiji is better, though.
>>5401149
Kaguya and Eirin did pretty much take care of Reisen for decades, so I can't really fault her if she decides to stick with her boss over us.

>>5400000
Checked

File: __fujiwara_no_mokou_touho(...).png (768 KB, 915x1124)

768 KB PNG

>[Insult Kaguya with a lie] To be p-perfectly honest... I find Mokou pettier. (Cruelty 2+, Grace 1+) (3 votes)

You took a moment to think hard on this one. On one hand, this Kaguya, her beauty was so unreal, you felt as though she was throwing you into a state of hypnosis! But, she was just so... spoiled. Definitely a really stuck up, pompous type. True, deep down, you had to admit she was by far the prettiest girl you've ever seen, but at the same time, you didn't want to disparage Mokou for any reason. You could appreciate the tomboyish charm she had to herself.

You thought about staying neutral, and giving no straight answer, but you weren't sure how well that would appeal to either lady. As much as Mokou didn't seem to care about your answer, since she was so rustled by Kaguya's teasing, the look she was giving you vaguely hinted at not wanting to be... put down in any regard. And really? After all those powerful booms you heard that apparently came from these two girls fighting, and the fact that now both of them standing before you had no visible wounds or damage at all? You didn't want to leave them hanging. Although you find that Kaguya, as bratty as she is, is the least likely to kick your ass over it.

So you answered dishonestly, not to feed into Kaguya's ego, and not to insult Mokou. However, a lie is still a lie, no way to sugarcoat that.

Cruelty: 2%
Grace: 1%

"..."

"...!"

Instant shock fell over them both. The Earth Rabbits stopped pounding mochi for a split second, and you heard one of them gasp. Of course, Tewi, was among them, just staring with an amused grin at the scene.

Mokou's red face looked away towards the wall, as if she was wondering why you'd go and do that, say something so obviously untrue. Even if she did save your life, even she found it farfetched you'd tell a lie like that, just for her. Kaguya herself was speechless, as if it were the first time she'd ever been rejected in any capacity by a man. However, the princess' face soon gained a sly smile as she hid it behind the flap of her sleeve.

"Huhuhu~... I see. Well, I suppose everyone is entitled to their own opinion."

...Even if said opinion is wrong, you finished her sentence in your head.

"Well now, I do have my answer. I will let it go for now and press the issue no longer... after all, I'm sure you'd enjoy some time alone... with the one you admire." Kaguya says, turning away to exit while snickering!

"H-Hey! That's not what I mean ei-...ohhh..." You stop. She was already gone.

Mokou had her hands stuffed in her pockets, looking down silently as you turned your head towards her and she met your gaze with a mix of frustration and fluster.

"Great... Now she's never going to leave me alone about that one." She coldly stated.

"...Sorry..."

Mokou rubs the outline of her chin, and a hint of a grin comes up on the edge of her mouth. "Though, I suppose it was worth it to see that snide look on her face get knocked off, she won't forget that for a while."

In a way, you could agree! Eat the rich and all that. But also, you internalize concern over the implications of Kaguya "not forgetting" that.
And start to worry for your own skin now, especially if she turns out to be one of 'those' kinds of women. The ones who adore kitchen knives, despise competition and don't take getting rejected too well.

Uh, subject change!

"So, I know you asked for me to pay you for my safe crossing. Do you accept... um... cash?" You say, taking out your wallet and drawing forth some dollars. Of the green stuff, you had about... sixty on hand, two twenty bills and the rest being little $1 Washingtons, because you had a problem with breaking down too much.

Mokou raises an eyebrow at the funny choice in payment, must be her first time seeing Outsider currency. But, she's eternal, and naturally doesn't have many problems that include getting hung up on how she's paid, so long as she earns her keep. She nods slowly.

"Sure, I'll find a way to make use of it somehow, one way or another."

"Great." You say, taking all the dollars you had and folding them, handing them over to her. She stuffed them into her pocket.

"By the way, Eirin asked me to give this to you."

Mokou handed over a slip from her other pocket. It was... a bill. You expected this much. Now you had to pay a hospital bill, and you were all broke to- (°д°) *FUUU*
Oh shit! Your Kedama, from behind! Little fucker scared you good. You settle it down with a pat to the head as it rests on your shoulder. The Kedama is now your shoulder pet.

"Don't worry though, Eirin is a patient person. She'll wait as long as it takes for you to be able to come up with enough money to pay her back, so long as you do pay her back. I'm sure you can come up with something eventually if you put your mind to it."

File: __fujiwara_no_mokou_touho(...).png (781 KB, 800x1000)

781 KB PNG

Mokou stepped forward and poked you square in the chest with her finger. "Well big guy? We ready yet? Or you have some unfinished business? We'd best set out during the day, we can reach the village before night, and see about getting you to the Hakurei Shrine to get that mark looked at."

Yeah, your stuff had to be dry by now, all that you had to do was change and then you could set out towards the Human Village with your tagalongs, Fujiwara no Mokou and Reisen Udongein Inaba. Although, you did remember just how some of the markings on Eirin's outfit, the little white lines, looked suspiciously similar to constellations themselves.

>Are you finished with your business in Eientei? Is it time to depart on a journey to the Human Village?

>>5401264
>Seek out Kagerou to express your thanks, or at least ask Mokou if she can pass on your gratitude once you've reached your destination.
Even if she'd snap us up like a bacon snack hot, she also helped save our life. Gratitude and all that.

>>5401264
>Yes
>Ask Reisen if Eirin wearing constellation is just because they are from the moon or if they know this Big Dipper God, she is her student.
know OCC it's Okina, but better to give an excuse for MC.

>>5401275
Didn't Reisen say she left so she didn't end up going werewolf on anyone since the moon was up?

>>5401276
Also support

>>5401275
I can support asking Mokou to pass of a message of thanks (again) to her, that she was really nice and we wish we could have stayed to talk more and she is one of the best girls. There are way too many oh god
She can add on GrassBook or something.

Too bad that if you stick around a youkai way too long without keeping your interaction in check, you'll turn into one, and we can't have that because outsider or not, humans transforming to youkai is considered the worst sin in gensokyo
Which means the crimson slasher will get us[spoiler unless we somehow got a hourai elixir instead

>>5401299
New objetive: Get permission from one of the sages first.
Might be very easy or very hard given that one of them is the kidnapper.

Well, we could always try and become a magician. It'll just take obscene amounts of time, money, and effort...
I-I think our best path to safety is finding work in the Human Village and regularly donating to the Hakurei Shrine.

>>5401311
I have a problem with that because as a male character in Touhou who isn't Rinnosuke or Unzan or Youki we'd basically be walking around covered in paper taped to us that says "Easy pickings", we could even end up becoming a Youkai so trash that a villager kills us
I'd prefer to stay human if the ultimate objective remains escaping Gensokyo somehow, but otherwise I'd prefer we learn magic from either Marisa or Rinnosuke or try to become a hermit or celestial so we get giga stronk. Otherwise, I'd be fine if we drank the elixir and spent the rest of forever with Mokoutan, Kaguyahime and mommy Eirin, you know they've got to be lonely over there in an all female zone all day

Oh, there is another option, it involves getting bitten by Remilia and hoping our canines grow a little. Only downside is that Flandre gets a reusable exploding human shaped toy and the sun is now our enemy

File: thediplomat_2016-07-20_16(...).jpg (53 KB, 462x302)

53 KB JPG

>>5401327
We must channel our name and become the Youkai feeding on the fear/desire for open borders, the scourge of the gap.

>>5401337
Now hold on-

>>5401329
With the awe-inspiring power of SPF 100000, we'll cause another incident survive a brief promenade in the morning outdoors.
>>5401337
Knock knock, said America.
And thus, the Lunarians knew fear.
Speaking of gaps, I'm surprised Yukari hasn't dropped in to say hello yet, considering watching over the Barrier is supposed to be part of her duties. Is Okina doing something to obscure us? Or maybe she's already done something and is just being oblique as ever.

You decide that it's time to get on your way. You were eager to see this Human Village yourself. Somehow, you felt that as a Human, you'd better safer in general surrounded by your own kind again.

Fujiwara no Mokou joins your party.

With your stuff gathered, and a change of clothes back into your own outfit, you were ready to head out. Mokou and Reisen were there to join you. On your way out, Eirin was even nice enough to supply you with a sack that had a long string so you could carry a little extra weight. You are allowed to keep the yukata you wore, which you shove into it. An Earth Rabbit comes by and hands you a couple of mochi wrapped in a paper to take along too.

And so, leaving Eientei behind, with a wave of goodbye for luck and safe travels to that doctor, that princess and that one trickster rabbit, you and your traveling companions got on your way through the bamboo forest. You made sure to ask Eirin to give your regards to Kagerou if she comes by Eientei again.

The journey progresses...

"Hey, Reisen." You say, to spark conversation along the way; "You're from the moon, aren't you?"

"Y-Yeah? Why?"

"Is your sensei also from the moon?"

"...E-Eheh, well, yes. Eirin and Kaguya are both from the moon just like me, in fact. We're all runaways... it's a long story."

Interesting. But, you weren't immediately concerned with the history of the moon and its people, just yet.

"I noticed Eirin had patterns like constellations herself on her dress. Did she not know anything about this Big Dipper I have? Did you hear anything?"

"I brought it up. But, she herself was puzzled about it. She wears the constellations as part of her status, well... the status she had, it was definitely decorative though. All she said is that you were lucky to have your mark. She has no idea which god laid it."

File: Shadowy Figure.png (58 KB, 570x503)

58 KB PNG

Damn. You hope that wherever you're going for help, they'll know a lot more.

"Oh! She did recognize it was magic, which is unusual, especially if it's laid by a god associated with the stars."

"Magic...? You mean like, actual magic? Uh... I... I have no idea how I'm supposed to take or process that-"

"Don't sweat it, kid! You won't live long enough to find out anyway! Heeheehee!"

You stopped all of a sudden on the path you treaded. Mokou tensed up and raised an eyebrow. Reisen drew her gun and peered around with utter confusion at what she was hearing. There was nobody in sight either! Is your group being assailed by someone? Like, a bandit? Or a Youkai who thinks your mark is a bounty and was attracted to it...

But, you don't see anyone... Wait, what is 'that'?! There, on the road ahead, a black source of goop bubbled on the road. Damn! And to think, you were just exiting the forest too and were nearly out of there! Slowly, the shape of a figure rises in the pool, but you can't make them out clearly... only that they sound... impish, in your opinion. Well, they were small. Small, and possibly evil.

"You're a bothersome little human to find! A real pain in the buttocks! But now I've got you in my sights, and you aren't getting away either! Heheee! Today's my lucky day."

"I don't know who you are, but if you want to live longer and have today really be your lucky day, step aside... now." Mokou threatened, not willing to let her client come under any harm. It'd say things about her service.

"Tsk! You don't intimidate me, if you step on the Gouyoku Alliance's toes, you're gonna be HISTORY, immortal! Now hand over the human and nobody gets hurt! We can't let him get back to the god who summoned him here! One and only offer!" The figure growled.

Okay, you retract the previous thought. They are completely evil. Wonderful!
Oh, sarcasm...

Mokou sparked flames upon her back, like the wings of a phoenix! Reisen's eyes flashed with a red glare and she held her gun aloft. They were ready for a fight.

"Heh! Fine, have it your way, you're just little obstacles in our path! If you want to fight in a spell card duel, then you'll get it! Everyone knows the rules! It's a little contest, see, and if we win, we get the human and the dispute is settled. If you win? Better watch your backs, cause it won't be the last you see of us! Too bad you won't win anyway! Get them, my servants! Fly my pretties, fly! EHEHEHEHE!"

File: Eagle Spirit.jpg (47 KB, 340x410)

47 KB JPG

The bubbling mass of blackish, tar-like substance suddenly exploded to reveal a trio of luminous spirits in the shape of eagles!

The Eagle Spirits of the Gouyoku Alliance attack!

Fujiwara no Mokou HP: 6000
Reisen Udongein Inaba HP: 5000

Your party gets the first attack.

Eagle Spirit A HP: 1000
Eagle Spirit B HP: 500
Eagle Spirit C HP: 500

Fujiwara no Mokou's turn.

>Roll 1d1000 to launch Danmaku!

Rolled 15 (1d1000)

>>5401420
Nat 1 inbound.

>>5401451
CLOSE ENOUGH
GAI

Rolled 391 (1d1000)

>>5401420

Rolled 519 (1d1000)

>>5401420
Big numbas

Rolled 824 (1d1000)

>>5401420
Will Albert sense that the spoon goat has oil?

Rolled 878 (1d1000)

>>5401420

File: Th08SC196.jpg (122 KB, 384x448)

122 KB JPG

Fujiwara no Mokou's turn.

Leaping into the air, the immortal ally had a slip of white and red paper clutched between her two fingers. An ofuda used as the medium from which she launched her Danmaku.

不死「火の鳥 ‐鳳翼天翔‐」 - Undying "Fire Bird -Feng Wing Ascension-"

Number of Bullets shot: 2627

Mokou opened up upon the enemy Eagle Spirits! A barrage of red bullets made of pure energy, glowing like little lights showered them in seconds before they even knew what hit them!

Eagle Spirit A HP: 0
Eagle Spirit B HP: 0
Eagle Spirit C HP: 0

Bullets hit: 2000
Bullets grazed: 627

"G-Good god! What's happening!" You say, stumbling back in fear.

Reisen grabbed your shoulder quick to steady you; "Calm down! It's fine! T-This is how we settle disputes in Gensokyo... through D-Danmaku! We use things called Spell Cards in order to use our Danmaku. A-All Spell Cards are completely harmless, so you wouldn't have to worry if you got hit! You're not part of the dispute, but rather... the... t-the prize of it, so they likely won't even affect you at all."

"Well," Mokou said, landing in front of you both, her Phoenix wings extinguishing in gusto; "-they could sting a little, maybe even bruise, but she's right that Spell Cards cannot kill. At all."

"Y-You sure?! They look... pretty dead to me!"

The Eagle Spirits that were sent to attack you. Poor critters, they were all laid out on the ground, completely unmoving. One of them had X's for eyes, and their tongue was hanging free comically. They do squeak a little at the thrashing they just received...

"They'll be fine. But they'll sure think twice before ever coming my way again." Mokou snarked, putting her hands back into her pockets as she simply walked past the beaten up Spirits.

You did so too, but made sure to go behind Reisen, you didn't want to touch those things at all. Eech...

"I-I guess this can serve as your introduction to the Spell Card Rules themselves. Though, since you're just a normal human, you're normally going to be an exception, they won't apply to you... b-but not to worry! Since I'm going to solve this Incident and take the credit, I'll protect you and win any Danmaku struggles waged over you! You can bet on that!" Reisen assured you.

Good to know at least...

File: 0077_☆3_Human Village.png (525 KB, 1455x772)

525 KB PNG

"So... those guys will probably attack us again. What did they call themselves?"

"Mm? Dunno, I wasn't really listening, just waiting to fight."

"They did call themselves an 'alliance' or something..."

"Like... like a Yakuza clan?"

"Yakuza? You mean organized crime. Hm... wouldn't know much about that myself. Here's hoping that Reimu will know more." Mokou says.

Weird. But what you thought was weirder was that black goop the assailant rose from. It was so slick... like oil. And it smelled like oil too. Something to keep note of, but your group is leaving that one far behind. You were out of the Bamboo Forest of the Lost now.

The Human Village awaited.

"Hey! Open up, you lazes!" Mokou shouted when she approached a tall and sturdy wooden gate to a massive wall that stretched for... for so long!

You saw glimpses of the Village from afar when approaching it the way Mokou led you, and it was huge! A lot huger than the name 'Village' might imply. There had to be at least a couple thousand or more people living here! You could see why Humans chose to congregate in a walled off settlement like this.

On the inside, was a better sight awaiting than you initially anticipated. This Village, it was beautiful!

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ_i3_wYDis]

The calming image of the Edo Period, or otherwise just a really nice slice of Japanese history. People in colorful kimonos walked without fear in the streets, smiles on their friendly faces, and kids were running freely to play. Chipper merchants and workers worked the streets, selling their wares out in the open and getting to work on projects that required hardy muscle. You even saw priests, and a few armed guards equipped in cuirasses with trusty blades at their sides patrolling the streets. Hey, you could get used to this.

Your only trouble you found so far is that, while you seemed to be able to understand everyone and they understand you when it came to speaking, you couldn't discern the meanings behind written language here. The purposes entailed behind signs fell off of your real quick. You didn't have much of a hope when it came to understanding that right away. Actually, come to think of it, how the hell does anyone understand what you say anyway? You're a damn American stuck in a weeaboo's wonderland... was it the Big Dipper enabling something in you? ...Suddenly, you feel the need to keep it even harder, despite not wanting to follow what Doremy told you before.

Reisen slicked her bunny ears back behind her head as an old man approached then.

"Reisen! Good to see you! Here to sell your next stock of medicines? I could use something for my aching back, come to think of it." The old Villager said.

Reisen politely shook her head. "Ah, no sir, not this time around, Mr. Toyama. I'm just accompanying a... uh, a friend here is all. D-Don't worry! I'm sure I'll get around to it sometime s-soon."

The old Villager curiously sized you up, noticing Mokou was with you as well. He nodded, in an almost knowing way, but knowing what? You didn't get it.

"All's well, dear. Though, I wouldn't be wrong to assume your destination is the Hakurei Shrine today, yes?"

"A-Ah! Of course."

"Ohhf. Well, good luck, dear. The gate leading off to the Shrine was locked up. Apparently, some Villagers were out and about to donate when they had to come running back in a hurry. A ghostly flame has been spotted haunting the road leading up, along with some ominous shadows. Some people complained about terrible migraines, and the noise of something impacting trees! I hope the Shrine Maiden can get on it soon, but then again a couple of days ago, she was seen getting a quantity of sake... so who knows how long it will take. Anyway, have a nice day dear." The old Villager said, bowing then.

Reisen bowed back as she let the coot go on his way.
Well, shit. That was great. If it isn't one problem, it's another.

"He's one of the customers I sell Eirin's medicine to, very informative. However, I don't think we'll have to worry much. I believe I might just know what's going on down there. I can handle it." Reisen tells you.

"So, you're both good to go then?" Mokou asked.

"Should be. Is this where you get off?"

She nodded. "Mhm. My job here is done. I guess now would be a good time to find out what I can get for your... green stuff you gave me."

"Wait, one thing. I wanted to ask what you can tell me about the Village."

"Ah..."

The Immortal stepped up a lot closer to your personal space than you would normally be comfortable with then. It almost made you nervous having her nearly touch cheeks with yours.

"Just watch out. The Village has a good number of Youkai wandering out here too, they just don't cause a stir. And, if you see a shorter person with a really, -really- big hat that smells of alcohol... keep your distance, you might get hurt otherwise. And really? Don't tell anyone you're an Outsider, or about your mark. Just make up a lie... say you're a Taoist from another land or something. Those Taoists always end up looking weird anyway."

You'll keep that in mind.

"See you." She said, before walking off on her own.

Fujiwara no Mokou leaves your party.

File: 1200px-Th135_Human_Village.png (1.01 MB, 1200x675)

1.01 MB PNG

"u-Uh! I have some info that you might find useful! I-I don't know the village like the back of my hand, but I do have some details." Reisen tells you as you and her both started along walking down the long and winding streets of this peaceful village.

"There's a tofu shop! Tea stores! A-A woodcutter if you need to find work and money. O-OH! And there's some places that specialize in training and being gathering holds for Youkai Exterminators."

Reisen quietly thought to herself; 'Most of them aren't actually very successful however...'

"...And, uh... well, there's a rich family here in the Village too. The Hieda Family, they run the school too, I think... And, there's Geidontei, a bar. I hear they open late for Youkai... never been myself. Plus, there's Suzunaan, it's kind of like a library? They rent books, don't remember if they sell them... Eirin sent me there a few times to get and return books."

"That all does sound interesting, but I'm not sure how much of it will actually be useful right now to me, considering all these... modern amenities I have on my person, outside of the fact there's jobs available..."

"...Hm, yeah, your... Glock thing...." Reisen goes quiet, just before it hit her; "Oh! Don't tell anyone I told you this, but I have spotted a few Kappa once here in the Village. They know their way around technological trinkets... they might even buy that thing off of you for a healthy sum. Be a shame though, you did promise to show it to me, but easy money is easy money."

True, money was very important right now, especially the money of Gensokyo, of which you currently had NONE!

"One thing... the Shrine Maiden really, really appreciates donations. It's an easy way to get on her good side."

Ah, more incentive.

Well, you should probably give her the current heading.

>Would you seek out Kappa to sell your very likely useless-at-this-point Glock?
>Maybe you could see what Mokou was up to, you were already kinda missing her.
>Or, since Reisen is so confident she can handle what's ahead, will you chance it to reach the Hakurei Shrine?
>Or will you spend some time in the Human Village?

>>5401713
>>Or will you spend some time in the Human Village?
If we sell or shit, it might be best to it at Kourindou.
Anyway, Keine is Mokou's friend and knows a lot, we could trust her to help us without having to hide our identity or having to pay, so to the school we go!

I also have some questions and feedback.
I noticed that when we got Grace the first time, it went to 0.90%, and the second point made it be 1%, but 2 points in cruelty went directly to 2%. Is Grace meant to be way harder to get and fluctuate, and/or was the second grace point weaker because it was together with Cruelty?
Also the bullets shot were equal to the rolls, so if we eventually get less voters, we are going to be weaker, and if we get stronger. It might be a good idea to set a minimum and a maximum of rolls to be accepted.

>>5401715
If we got more voter we would get stronger.

>>5401715
The amount of Cruelty or Grace you accumulate in your Karma is directly dependent on how nasty the actions performed are viewed, which is a point to be careful at because Touhou is demonstrably a very judgmental universe! (I mean seriously, the Celestials stole Heaven all for themselves and the Yama give no fucks. Eiki Shiki even says it's good to terrorize humans for fun.)
Kedama are a minor Youkai, they might as well be mosquitos in terms of how significant they are. Sparing it was kind, but not as kind as say, sparing a human or more important opponent.
The choices you make have varying levels of how good or bad of a boy they'll make you. Murdering someone for example would instantly be very Cruel, saving someone's life would be very Graceful.

I also had an idea to, for when a party member takes a turn, if there aren't enough votes, break their individual turn down into parts to allow for more rolls called for to add into the bag to balance out the strength and weakness. Graze can also add a multiplier.

>>5401713
>Would you seek out Kappa to sell your very likely useless-at-this-point Glock?
I think for our money's worth that Kappa would be a wiser option. Rinnosuke's shop has been beaten up a lot and I don't think he'd appreciate a weapon as much as Kappa, even though he does specialize in magic.

>>5401732
Thanks QM, knowing is half the battle.
I'll trust you to come up with something good if we start dropping or gaining enough players to unbalance combat.

Also
>yuuma is hunting us
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK WHY HER SHE HAS AN OP ABILITY

>>5401745
To make Flandre's op ability look even better of course!

Just a thought, but could we potentially offer to help tutor in something like mathematics at the school for cash? Work as like an assistant teacher or something for Keine. That might give us an in for Akyuu. Even if we don't know the written language, they should still be able to understand Arabic numerals, right?
We could also check to see if Suzunaan needs any help with physical labor or something, I suppose. Kosuzu is quite friendly with a few of the movers and shakers in Gensoukyou. Worst comes to worst we can trade a couple of stories for friendship.
While I'm spitballing ideas, our best bet at short-term employment is probably heading over to Kourindou and explaining how to actually use things like a PC to Rinnosuke.

>>5401826
I was thinking of asking for a english/japanese dictionary.
Suzunaan has all kind of weird shit, a book from a Japanese elementary school ending up there might not be too much of a stretch.
We also have experience being a delivery boy and watering plants, for whatever it's worth.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>5401715
>>5401737
Rolling a tiebreaker.

File: Humanity's Best Friends.jpg (802 KB, 1000x1100)

802 KB JPG

>Would you seek out Kappa to sell your very likely useless-at-this-point Glock? (Tiebreaker)

Well, it would probably be for the best. You doubted there was anything you could kill with it anyways, and so long as Reisen was protecting you, you didn't feel you needed to fight. Maybe you'd wait until you were sure you could handle yourself, but so far as you know, you are outside of whatever rules govern combat in this place.

You ask Reisen to take you to see these 'Kappa figures'. She obliges you fast, and in little time, you find yourself being led to parts of the Village lying on the outskirts, in areas that were without the wall. Soon, she leads you to a warehouse. It looked... abandoned.

But out of the corner of your eye, you noticed something blue standing out from behind a barrel.

"Ahem... Uh, Nitori? You there...?"

You feel a lot of blinking eyes staring very shyly at you and the Rabbit who made only enough effort to push her ears back to disguise herself. She sees a hand from behind a crate beckon you both behind the warehouse. You take a cautious look at Reisen, and she nods to you, before you decide to walk back there with her, coming upon a group of shorter girls in blue uniforms managing a store of items in the warehouse that were being hidden there discreetly, away from the sight of the rest of the Village. They used mechanical arms that extended from their backpacks to easily handle the heavy lifting.

"What's all this then?" A Kappa with blue twin-tails asked.
"It's that Rabbit, the one who sells medicine from Eientei." A Kappa wearing glasses noted.
"And she has an Outsider with her! Hah, he's wearing Dickies!" A Kappa with black hair mocked your fashion sense.
"But an Outsider must have things after all, things we Kappa would be interested in." A Kappa with blond hair pointed out, tipping her hat.

The Kappa with blue twin-tails sheepishly stepped up and cleared her throat.

"Attention, Human, Rabbit! I am Kawashiro Nitori! I am, usually, the leader of the Kappa who live in Genbu Ravine. We Kappa are the closest thing to a friend Mankind has among Youkai!"

A claim yet to be proven, with how boastful she came off.

"What business do you have with us Kappa?"

"...I was hoping you'd be interested in buying a firearm I had."

The Kappa all suddenly sparked with a mighty interest. They were practically squealing like kids at a birthday.

"He has a gun!"
"I HOPE IT'S A BIG, STRONG SHOOTER!"
"Shooting Outsider guns are so fun!"

Well now, they'd be right at home in America after all, wouldn't they?
Reaching into your jacket, you held the Glock aloft for them to see. They all quieted down and stared at it in silence.

...Did... did they not like it after all?!

"AAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Aw, Jesus! Don't do that!

"A GLOCK NINETEEN, GENERATION FOUR!"
"WITH A SMOOTH POLYMER FRAME AND A TALON RUBBER TEXTURED ADHESIVE GRIP!"
"YEAH! ONE THAT SHOOTS NINE MILIMETER PARABELLUM! WE COULDN'T POSSIBLY RUN OUT OF THE STUFF!"
"AND IT LOOKS RIPE FOR MODIFYING TO FULLY AUTOMATIC ACTION!"

"H-How do you all know this stuff?!"

"W-Well, they are big techno... buffs. They're one of the few kinds of people in Gensokyo w-who hoard stuff obtained from the Outside World..." Reisen pointed out, a little surprised herself at how receptive they were.

Nitori suddenly stepped forward and grabbed your free hand, pulling on it like a child who wanted something so dearly!

"Do you have any idea how long we've been waiting for this chance?! We have almost a full collection and growing of Glocks, and for the longest time, we've always been missing the nineteen! You simply have to let us buy it!"

"...O-Okay! Well, what's your offer...?"

"Two hundred and seventy thousand Yen! Take it or leave it!"

Shit, you weren't sure how much that equaled in weight to USD. You didn't have a calculator for converting Yen on hand, and no phone service either... so if you accepted here, you didn't know if you were being swindled or not.

"Is that... a whole lot?" You asked Reisen.

She paused briefly, as if not immediately knowing an answer herself. Sure, she helped sell for Eirin, but only at the prices she's instructed to. She mostly just went ahead and gave all the money she made to Eirin.

"U-Uh, I guess."

Fantastic.

>Well? Will you accept the Kappa's trade offer or haggle for more.

>>5402315
>Hah, he's wearing Dickies!" A Kappa with black hair mocked your fashion sense.
Says the walking onahole...

>>5402324
>Haggle
>Three hundred and you have a deal.
If the blue haired onaho- I mean Nitori really wants it, she's got to give the money's worth. Besides I don't want the Kappa after our anus ball if we turn her down and piss her off.

270k yen is a little under 1.9k USD, isn't it? If I recall correctly the exchange rate was something like 0.08 or 0.07.
Looking it up on a currency calculator... Yep, $1893. That seems like a significant overpayment for a glock. That said, we do have a bit of a monopoly, and they really, really, really want it.
Hm. I'm tempted to lower the price to 250k-200k, but they do us a favor. Something like... I dunno, help us set up a long-term residence?

>>5402324
How much did we pay for the Glock 19 gen 4? Cause a yen is 0,0070 dollars, so 270.000 would be 1894,25 dollars. If it's around 500 like google says, we are getting a 3,7885 times profit.

>>5402364
Yeah but our guy isn't really wise on yen see. I think the lowest I'm willing to go is the base offer. I just think since she's paying so much we could try to smooch out a little more. It shouldn't dent the Kappa pockets too hard.

>>5402324
You know what, fuck it
>Take the offer, but say you would like a voucher for a favor in the future if we ever go by the Genbu Ravine.
>We can talk about guns and Discovery Channel shit when we visit.

>>5402343
I think I would mock the cum cap more than their size, but each their own I guess

>>5402377
Silly anon, Youmu is the dork we mock for having a big sperm around her at all times. Kappa and Fairies are the walking onaholes.

List of 2hus to get back for messing with us:
Okina
Doremy
Tewi
Yuuma
We need to think of fitting punishments for each when we foil whatever schemes going on and get Reimu to break their backs

Adequate punishment indeed!

>>5402410
>Okina
Just continue to refuse her godhood, she is clearly a egotistical cringe demon
>Doremy
Give her coal for christmas
>Tewi
Randomly stomp the floor. It's how rabbits warn each other of danger.
Lock her in a room with Kagerou when it's a full moon.
Make her fall in her own pitfall.
>Yuuma
Airstrike her house and steal her oil.

>>5402374
Sure, +1.

Harem or monogamy?

>>5402505
Friendship.

>>5402530
Based

>Accept Nitori-sama's offer. (2 votes)

You thought briefly about trying to haggle with the Kappa, but you guessed that in your head, ¥270,000 sounded like a whole lot, and she did say to take it or leave it so you weren't about to push it and maybe offend the Kappa so eager to get your pistol.

"I'll take your offer, Kawashiro, however, I'd also like one more thing besides. A voucher, or maybe a coupon, for a future favor if I ever drop by this Genbu Ravine you live in. Think about it, I am an Outsider, and I do know a little about uh, guns and stuff myself. Stuff about the Outside World that might interest you... engineers, or whatever."

"Hmmm? I see what you're getting at. Well, that last part all depends entirely on the mood of we Kappa, however I see no harm in this additional little thing. So, we have a deal then?" She asked, holding her hand out for you to shake it.

You reached down and took Nitori's hand into a firm shake. Huh, these Kappa weren't so short after all up close, they had to be at least half as tall you were, definitely taller than the Earth Rabbits, and that black goo woman, but not towering.

"Deal."

"Sweet! Then let me process the transaction."

The backpack Nitori wore suddenly flipped open, a pair of mechanical hands handling a leather wallet of a different shape than yours sprang out, counting through the Yen within her wallet both with fingers and out loud as she watched it briefly before one of the hands drew the exact amount and passed you a wad of papery slips, which you promptly stuffed into your own wallet before handing her mechanical hand your Glock.

Money well earned.

"H-Hey, Nitori, I know I don't really talk to you, but can you give me some advice?" Reisen suddenly spoke up.

"Eh? Now what could I know that'd be of any use to you, Moon Rabbit? Whatever it is, it might set you back as well, keep in mind."

"W-Well, I heard from o-one of my customers that there was trouble on the road leading to the Shrine. A bunch of s-shadows and apparitional fire. Any idea what t-that could be...? I'd hate to run into anymore Youkai Yakuzas... b-but I am positive I know a little about what has to do with that flame!"

Nitori appeared puzzled at that last part herself, but the Kappa does think a moment as she taps her chin. "Ah! I know what it is, indeed. Because I'm in a good mood right now, I won't have you buy this information. I'm positive that the nuisances running amok on that road are none other than a Youkai who possesses the power to control Darkness itself, the maneater, Rumia! And that apparition you're talking about... I believe it may be related to a little accident that caused a Kappa in the Ravine to go mad and spill the river into the sky."

Reisen nodded. "Rumia? Sounds like trouble. That fire... I'm not sure who it is, but all I can tell you is that, I-I believe they're in cahoots with a certain three Fairies known to tie up in messing with the Villagers!"

"Ohh! You mean those three! Ahah! They'll be easy pickings, but I would watch out for that Youkai, especially if you're traveling with this macho-man," Nitori said with a wink, tapping you against the hip with the back of her hand, nearly making you exclaim something in shock; "-she'll want to take a bite out of him for sure. She has a reputation for devouring humans!"

Jeez...
Why is everyone here besides you a girl? Well, wait, you take that back. The Village does have plenty of men. Erh, you guess you mean, why is it that everyone who has interacted with you in a serious capacity so far a girl? Damn it, dude! Being surrounded by girls all the time is going to be... harsh, especially since you're one of those guys who frequently experiences the leg jitters. You're doing your best to control yourself for the time being... but eventu-

"So-" Reisen crashes your train of thought.

Never mind, someone's talking to you, think about it another time!

"Yeah?"

"I'm ready to take on that hike to the Hakurei Shrine when you are, Albert! S-So... where to next...?"

Hmph, some provisions might bode well in the meantime now that you have Yen to purchase in the Village, and that sack Eirin gave you to carry a little extra weight.

>Where to next?

>>5402757
I say we fill up on some dry foods to carry along for the journey, maybe a small tent that can collapse, and then purchase or rent a dictionary from Suzunaan.
Additionally, visit the Youkai exterminators in town to see about buying ourself a weapon.
Let's become the lightrail avenger

>>5402762
Sounds like a plan.

File: Inventory.png (704 KB, 900x1701)

704 KB PNG

Basic inventory sheet for reference.

>>5402757
>traveling with this macho-man," Nitori said with a wink, tapping you against the hip with the back of her hand, nearly making you exclaim something in shock
That's another to the shitlist, gents let us brainstorm how to punish Nitori for messing with us
But also we defo have to visit Genbu Ravine now, for uh, business

>>5402791
I like that our pet Kedama is just apart of the inventory and chilling there

>>5402757
Kappa bad touch alert, they really can't control themselves trying to go for people's ass, can they?
>>5402762
I like this, but I thought of going to the school to talk to Keine or Akyu too.
But I guess it's better to get a move on
>>5402791
I thought that the moonrunes might mean something, but it just says karma again
>>5402795
Puffy is a good boy

>>5402791
Emotional support Kedama. The American flag background made me laugh, too.

>>5402762
Support

File: Provisions.png (340 KB, 1024x750)

340 KB PNG

For now, the trip is to head back into the Village proper, and peruse the merchant's quarters, in search of goods that will be useful from here onwards, to you at least. Of course, with just how many things this Village offered, and the sheer amount of storefronts you could see, it might take a while, viewing them by the inventory set out on display alone, totally ignoring the signage.

While you were doing this, sticking around the same quarter, you asked Reisen if it wouldn't be too much trouble for her to find out about the price of buying or renting a dictionary textbook from this Suzunaan you heard about. You figured that since dictionaries have historically existed for thousands of years, it wouldn't be too far-fetched to look up one. The Rabbit obliges you, promising to meet back in the next 30 minutes or so in the merchant quarter.

You go on browsing several stores then. In terms of what foods you could find...

1 pound of Chestnuts - ¥3030
Japanese chestnuts. They were big, and looked like they had something tasty inside. You bet you could crack them using a rock or something.

1 pound of Daikon - ¥1870
These things were dry foods, and easy to carry. They looked sort of a like an anorexic radish.

1 pound of Dry Beans - ¥2590
Beans. The merchant selling them tells you they work to great effect at exorcising Oni. Whatever that means.

1 pound of Strawberries - ¥1440
Now there's a familiar sight! Strawberries! You loved it when your grandma used to make Strawberry cakes at a young age!

2 pounds of Kombu - ¥2880
Dried seaweed confections... not exactly what you had in mind as carry along food, but if it works as trail mix for these Villagers... eh...

Sake - ¥6900
Hmm. Been a while since you've had anything to drink. And you mean drink drink too, and you've never tried Sake before. It is kind of tempting.

File: More Provisions.png (318 KB, 971x732)

318 KB PNG

Among other things you find while searching out relevant wares...

Calligraphy Set - ¥5330
Looked pretty useful for writing letters to send, or to use as a personal and unconventional diary for keeping track of things. It came with ink and paper, although you weren't versed in the art of Japanese handwriting.

Healing Powder - ¥10000
The merchant selling this powder kept in a tight jar claims it is mixed with ingredients collected from an enchanted forest full of magic. He claims this healing medium causes blood to clot faster during hemostasis, almost instantly stopping any bleeding injuries on top of rapidly forming scabs to heal the injury. Remains to be seen how true that is...

Airtight Flask - ¥6490
A good old flask useful for collecting water in from clean sources, it's a brass canister with a locking lid.

Lantern and Oil capsule set - ¥8800
A newly made lantern that uses oil to burn continuously, until you run out of oil to keep the lamp burning. The oil comes in a little capsule you can unfasten to pour into a tab on the lantern's bottom. The merchant selling it promises it will be very bright to see in the dark.

Tent Tarp with leather latches - ¥20100
It's a fine leather tent, it is made to be set up easily using branches and bamboo stalks or to be hung up on trees with the strips hanging off that can be tied or pulled together to secure it. It would be perfect for creating a temporary shelter. Shame it doesn't come with a bedroll.

Prayer Beads - ¥7060
They're being sold by a priest. He claims the beads can function as a warding medium against Youkai, or to be used to channel Qi through. Sounds like a load of rubbish to you.

File: Weapons.png (101 KB, 719x433)

101 KB PNG

And, among the weapons offered by the town's very own Youkai Exterminators...

Uchigatana - ¥50700
The Katana. Folded 1000 times. It is a deadly weapon in the hands of a trained swordsman.

Nagamaki - ¥71100
A longer variant of a katana, looks like. A polesword of some sort if you had to take an accurate guess. It is heavy, but has extra reach.

Kanabo - ¥85000
This thing... this thing is way too enormous! You don't think you could lift it. It looks grisly however, and downright brutal. But also like it isn't meant to be sold to humans in the first place...

Hanbo - ¥35100
The cheapest choice overall. A thick wooden polearm of medium length, made to be used by the hands of someone good at fighting up close, or trained in martial arts. It looks like the easiest to carry, bar the Uchigatana. It could slip in a belt or wrap.

Chigiriki - ¥44400
This thing... is just a flail. But, it is all metal, and didn't look like it could break easily.

Kusari-fundo - ¥73500
This is lauded as the foremost of the "non-lethal" section, to be put in the hands of guards or police. You know, even though it is solid iron on a chain, and looked like it could give someone a fatal concussion easily if swung right, or even break a bone at the least. You were digging it though...

File: Textbook.png (685 KB, 985x985)

685 KB PNG

And, after a time, rendezvouz'ing with you back in the merchant square, Reisen returns with a report that the primary worker of Suzunaan, one 'Motoori Kosuzu', has a dictionary in good shape in stock after fishing it out from the back, and that she's currently holding it until you decide whether or not you'll be buying it.

The offer this Kosuzu makes is that the book can be rented for ¥9000 a month, or purchased permanently for ¥140000, which is a pretty high price...

>Well, Albert? How will you be spending your money today?

>>5403535
1 pound of Chestnuts - ¥3030
1 pound of Strawberries - ¥1440
1 pound of Dry Beans - ¥2590
The beans are for protection.
Airtight Flask - ¥6490
Lantern and Oil capsule set - ¥8800
Travel essentials
Reisen can help with healing, and the tent doesn't have a bedroll
Hanbo - ¥35100
Bonk

>>5403535
Is the dictionary Japanese to english, or can we somehow read it?
I'm torn between just renting or buying, depending if we want to go back or stay.

>>5403558
(While the PC doesn't understand Japanese, the dictionary in general can be used to recognize and understand what written hiragana and katakana say on signs and otherwise with quick referencing and flipping the pages.)

>>5403564
So since it doesn't help translating words?
Might as well not get it and just ask Reisen what things say.

>>5403635
I think it might helpful at least to start us learning the language ourselves in the worst case scenario that our mark stops to function in helping us understand things at any time.
Anyways I'm still pondering shopping myself, I'll probably cave in and support >>5403556 unless I think of something else.

>>5403534
> 1 pound of Chestnuts - ¥3030
> 1 pound of Daikon - ¥1870
> 1 pound of Dry Beans - ¥2590
> Airtight Flask - ¥6490
>Tent Tarp with leather latches - ¥20100
> Hanbo - ¥35100

>>5403556
>>5403652
I kind of wanna combine these two just because I want the tent, lantern and flask combo with extra food variety. Most places in Gensokyo should have ground soft enough to sleep on anyway. That brings up to paying about 79429 yen.
If we throw in the calligraphy set and rent the book as well we spend 93750 yen, leaving us with 176000 yen still so we have some to spare
Anything else we could throw in or foes that sound good for now?

>>5403716
If you plan on learning Japanese, might as well buy the book instead of renting it.
Renting is only cheaper if it's less than a month, and there's no way we are learning two alphabets plus common words that quickly, unless the mark also speeds that up.

>>5403728
No wait, I counted one less zero on the buying price like an idiot.
Definitely rent the book, buying would only be better if it took more than fifteen months.

>>5403746
So we're decided then?

>>5403753
Might as well get this show on the road.

>>5403765
Unless someone wants the katana instead of the stick, for maximum weeb potential of course.
Could be cool to ask Youmu for tips if we find her and all.

File: Inventory.png (807 KB, 900x1701)

807 KB PNG

>Multitude of items. (2 votes)

You reckon you'll have the lot to stuff in your carry sack since you had enough feasible space, but not not enough that a wafer thin mint would make the sack burst like a balloon. You hand Reisen the amount needed to rent the book from Suzunaan for precisely a month...

"Why do you think a book like that is so expensive anyhow...?"

"You know how school can be. T-The teachers need material for the pupils to read and all that, I suppose the rental store is exhausted to meet the demands, on top of how many people might already be renting other copies available."

It makes sense, this Village is pretty big and does have a lot of people.
When Reisen is sent off on her way with the Yen needed to rent the book, you take your time shopping around this quarter of the village, picking up a selection of some snacks and such that you'd think you'd like best. You know what? Given everything you've seen so far, you weren't about to risk being wrong on those beans working as an anti-Oni agent, so you gladly buy some of those too.

The lantern can freely hang attached to your belt. Never know when you'll need a flask for water either. The tent you stuff into the sack to cushion the other valuables. The calligraphy set? Might come in handy, who knows. For now, you choose to just use the Hanbo you purchase as a walking stick, you did something similar with a big stick you found on vacation to the Appalachia mountains in 2017 so it felt nostalgic and the quarterstaff was long enough.

When Reisen returns with the book, it is decidedly the point at which you believe you're all set for now. This should last you long enough for the trip to see whatever specialist you were in for and back now, and your Rabbit partner in crime was eager to get on her way too, to help solve this Incident so she could receive due credit!

Convincing the Villagers that have the gates locked tight to let you and her through takes a good minute, but eventually, the gate guards decide that it isn't their problem if you want to go whisk yourself away to whatever troubles lie ahead. Reisen assures you, she can handle it, whatever it is. You just nod to her with a smile before the two of you set off down a long road of stone...

File: Dusk in Gensokyo.jpg (298 KB, 1600x1066)

298 KB JPG

"Hmm..."

You were flipping throughout the pages of the rented textbook as you walked along the road. By the time all your business had concluded following your long travel through the Bamboo Forest, it was now entering dusk as you and Reisen Udongein Inaba neared the Hakurei Shrine. Well, really, you were about half the way there, at least you didn't start this trek when it turned dark.

"Having much luck?" The Rabbit asked you, trying to make conversation.

"Well, it would be accurate to say I'm pretty lost, hahah. But, I do remember seeing a few of these..." You didn't want to call them 'symbols' out of a petty feeling you'd offend anyone now; "-letters before. At some shop. Had smoke billowing from out the doors, or steam. If I'm right... then I was likely looking at a noodle joint or something."

"Oh, you mean the place we passed by on the seventh street in the southern entrance to the Village after Mokou parted ways with us? Yeah! That's a noodle shop, they have great soba there on good deals, it's one of my favorites! 'Utada's Noodles'."

You make a mental note to try it out one day, maybe you'll even ask her to take you there. Well, depending on how much longer you'd be in Gensokyo. To be honest, you had no idea whether or not this Hakurei Shrine would be your last stop, going back on how Mokou said the maiden there usually handled your kind. Perhaps she'd send you back to the real world.

You got to thinking for a moment about how, if that was so, and in many ways you did hope it was, that you'd... miss this experience overall.

Don't get yourself wrong, you! You're terrified, and just want to go back your studio flat and be in fuckin' New York, not Japanese Mythology. But, you'd be lying if you said you didn't enjoy some parts of this magical journey, and your pants would on as much fire as that Immortal was if you said you didn't become fond already of some of the company you've met. Fujiwara no Mokou, she was straightforward and you could respect that, Reisen was helpful and you found her kinda cute as well, and that Kagerou, you'll feel bad that you won't have gotten to say goodbye in person either.

But, whatever happens happens at the same time. You won't say you miss the part where glowing animals are out for your neck, or Rabbits are making you drink dishwater for funsies, or that there's a smug bitch waiting to smug at you every time you fall asleep.

"Hey, Reisen?"

"Huh? Y-Yeah, Albert? What is it?"

"So, when we get there... what's going to happen to me?"

The Rabbit looked a bit worried herself then, for some reason. As if the realization dawned upon that you might simply just be returned to the Outside World upon arrival, and that there might not be some Incident solving adventure involved after all, completely making her intentions on joining you in the first place meaningless.

"We-Well... I suppose it's possible that... that when we arrive, the Shrine Maiden... h-her name is Hakurei Reimu... she might j-"

"Kyihihihihihiii~!"

"What the f... I don't think we're alone." You say, stopping as you shut your book and stuff it away, gripping the Hanbo in both hands.

There on the road just ahead, you saw something strange. A floating fire, just dancing in the air above the stony road! A flame with a bright red light that seemed harsh to even view! Just burning on its own in the air without any support or outside help to keep it fueled! What madness!

File: Nature's Emissaries.jpg (107 KB, 516x729)

107 KB JPG

...However, Reisen was particularly nonplussed by it as she merely crossed her arms and her Rabbit ears drooped a little in irritation at the sight.

"Kyihihihih! Hey! Human! You look a little lost in this dark, having a hard time reading without a good light? Here, you can use mine. Just look at how warm and bright this kind light is! Kyahahaha! Come on, take a look, just a little." A high-pitched voice was heard coming from the flame, which danced a little closer towards you.

You were about to stare directly into the light itself, out of curiosity if anything until you found yourself vexed by Reisen putting a hand up over your eyes to block your sight.

"Don't. Looking into that little brat's fire is a bad idea, it'll mess with your mind. Let me handle this, I'll be quick and thorough with these troublemakers..." The Moon Rabbit said as she stepped forward, cracking her knuckles and sparking a crimson flash from her eyes. You focused solely on her as she moved to deal with this problem.

"Star! Sunny! Luna! I know you're all out there! Come out right this second and stop with the games before I'm forced to have to rat you out." You see the Rabbit say, raising a finger to the air as she walked past the flame, which appeared to lower and reactively move aside from her as the voice emanating from it made nervous little blurts.

You had to rub your eyes to believe what you were seeing in the next few seconds, as a trio of figures who were lying low behind the short and sparse stone fences found along the way of the road suddenly... blinked into sight before you. And not only them, but the one wielding the flame, revealed to be on the end of a torch held by...! Wait a second, is that the... American flag...?!

"H-Hey, it's her, the one from the Bamboo Forest who misleads people with her optical illusions!" A little girl with slightly amber tinted hair said.
"That Rabbit... the one who drove us out to stop our Rabbit hunts..." A light blond haired girl moped.
"Yeah, the one whom I can never detect no matter how hard I try!" A girl with a hime cut not unlike Kaguya said.
"Awww! She's gone and spoiled our fun times! PLLLSBBBHHHH!" A blond headed girl wearing the Star-Spangled Banner stuck her tongue out and blew.

These little girls, they had wings fluttering from behind their backs. Were they... Fairies?

"Uh... I'm lost."

"I knew it... Well, it isn't hard to explain. These three are Sunny Milk, Luna Child, and Star Sapphire. They're Fairies known to go around pranking people and being general sources of strife. Once upon a time, they used to come to the Bamboo Forest in which they'd play by chasing and catching the Earth Rabbits as part of a game, which terrorized them. I tolerated them for a time, but eventually the complaints from Tewi and the other Rabbits meant I had play bouncer..."