Hakurei Shrine
Early Morning
The rustle of the leaves and the cheerful chirp of the birds weave in together with the gentle morning air. A clear sky hovers above, letting radiant sunshine illuminate the grounds of the shrine. It is quite the pleasant way to start the day, especially with this light and cool autumn breeze blowing periodically.
Unfortunately, she isn't in the mood to enjoy the weather nor the scenic view that unfolds before her from atop the stairway. The shrine being built at the summit of a remote hill, it is easy to appreciate a panoramic view of quite a few notable landmarks: the Misty Lake, the Village, and Youkai Mountain to name the most prominent ones in sight... yet as picturesque as the Hakurei Shrine is though, its remote nature, while ideal to flavour the life of its occupant with the very embodiment of peacefulness, happens to have the double-edged dilemma of making visitors to the shrine rather sparse – not a very pleasant thing for an institution which relies on visitors to flourish. It is a problem to which she's been all too familiar with ever since she inherited the ownership of this place a long time ago, as well as the duties that come along being in charge of the place.
The young woman in red and white sighs. The recent turn of events has left her rather frustrated – she was supposed to be performing a ritual duty of utmost importance, the very core foundation of what it means to be a Shrine Maiden. With every single movement, with serene footwork, with gracious movement of her arms and hands, she would dance the ritual offering that was required of her as to purify the shrine grounds.
...well, that might perhaps be a bloated overstatement when it comes to the job of sweeping away the leaves that have littered the courtyard... however, that is undeniably part of Hakurei Reimu's ritual routine, and being unable to follow said routine was sufficient to upset the red-white quite a lot: firstly, it meant that she'd have more work tomorrow than usual with additional leaves having piled up over the day, and two, as long as she didn't sweep the place clean, she couldn't bring herself to indulge in the reward of some nice tea-drinking under the veranda.
“Where in the blazes of hell did that broom go...?”
A missing broom was the source of all her misery today. The one and single broom with which she swept the courtyard of the shrine ever so diligently.
She sighs again, but not because of the problem she faces, instead, it is the very solution to it is bothering the Shrine Maiden.
“I guess I'll have to go to the Village and buy myself a new Bamboo Broom...”
---
Forest of Magic - Ordinary Magician's House
Early Morning
An intoxicatingly thick miasma floated amidst the sinister trees of the forest. The canopy was so thick that barely any sunlight could filter through the clouds of leaves. Within the shadows of the forest, strange forms could be observed slithering around while letting small, yet eerie shrieks, or just downright creepy hisses.
The environment isn't very welcoming to anyone, certainly not humans; yet defying all logic, there stands this very human house in the middle of the forest. It is not in the best of shapes, with vines and moss covering its walls and the wooden foundation slowly withering away under the abuse of time and humidity – yet even then, the habitation still keeps a rather solid and durable look. Also, judging from the footprints, the entrance door left ajar and the candles that dimly shining inside, it is obvious that someone lives in there.
She has come to see said someone. They are supposed to go through some magical experiments together since the two of them happen to be increasing their knowledge on a similar subject. Of course, she has her own little doubts as always -- working with someone as excitable, and perhaps, as irritating as the Ordinary Magician isn't exactly the dream scenario; their modus operandi for the study of magic and even, their personality differ quite a lot...
But isn't that why she comes here often at any rate?
The Seven Colored Puppeteer and the Ordinary Magician share a strong bond of friendship after all. 'Opposites Attract', is the saying, isn't it?
She stops at the doorway and knocks, lamenting the Ordinary Magician's carelessness and lack of organization. Not only is leaving the door open a rather bad idea with all the unknown 'things' creeping around the Forest of Magic, but even from the entrance, the Seven Colored Puppeteer can see unsorted piles of trinkets and books lying around the house, to the point that even the living room has been converted into a storage room.
A few seconds pass. By now, the customary greeting that she receives all the time should occur – a dishevelled girl dressed as a black and white witch should rush to the doorway, giving her visitor the same big radiant smile she always gives, then urging the Seven Colored Puppeteer to come in deeper into the habitation.
Not today though.
There is only silence.
“Marisa? Are you here? It's Alice.”
Alice steps into the house, wondering if the troublemaker had forgotten about their promise. She finds it hard to believe since while that girl is quite free-spirited, Marisa has never stood up any of her rendez-vous with Alice.
Her eyes search around, before noticing something jarring on the ground.
The signature hat of the witch, left all alone on the floor.
“Marisa? Hello?”
She cries out one more time while picking up the hat. It's impossible for the witch to have left without putting on her signature hat – that accessory was like a part of her body.
'Where could she have gone...'
============
Tachibana Kusumi
- Truth Seeker -
Area: Human Village
Sub Area: Leisure District
Time: Early Morning
Weather: Clear sky, slightly cold
HP: 100
MP: 20
P. Status Effects:None
N. Status Effects:None
Morning in the Human Village -- a sight that has been quite the subject of your admiration and curiosity when you had first stepped Gensoukyou, but which by now happens to be nothing more than a daily occurrence you've grown accustomed to. It was only a question of time before the culture shock from transitioning into an Edo-era like settlement would vanish. You were always the kind of person to adapt quickly and face things as they were, never mind your eagerness to make new discoveries as an adventurer.
Today, you happened to have a day off and found yourself wandering about the entertainment district of the Human Village. After a bit of searching and weaving through the stalls and crowds, you have found a nice cozy spot by the main road -- the perfect place for you to relax and play your guitar 'Orpheus' to your heart's content. Strumming with gusto and singing a song that you have memorized since your days in the 'Outside World', you notice that passersby are quick to appreciate your performance. Kids and their mothers watch with warm smiles, and some people even tip you a bit of money, depositing coins in the open guitar case which usually serves as the container for Orpheus.
Is it your skill or merely the power of Orpheus that is causing all this? Probably a mix of both, since even people that were already aware of the guitar's properties commented before that you had quite the knack for being a good musician.
However, a sudden commotion seems to be ongoing nearby, a few buildings further down the road. Even the people that have been following your performance turn their heads to look over there -- who wouldn't after someone had shouted so loudly and clearly:
"I cannot find her anywhere! Please help me!"
That was the voice of an old man. He gave of the impression of being quite distressed, granted, you have no clear sight of what is occurring over there exactly since there's a crowd standing between you and your subject of interest. One thing that is very clear however is a pair of rabbit ears which stands out from the usual hats, ribbons and bows worn by the villagers. You can even see unusual lavender-coloured hair at said ears' base...
Is it wise to go find out more and poke your nose in these affairs?
Is that a question that can stand on its own, even?
Curiosity has always gotten the better of you.
You stand up and make your way through the crowd politely, eventually getting a clear sight of the happenings as you reach the front row:
"Uhm... could you please calm down sir?"
A rabbit youkai appears to be talking to an elderly man, the same one which you could hear shout from quite a distance away. Said man is indeed looking to be quite desperate, literally holding the rabbit youkai's hands eagerly and bowing his head with eyes closed, as if imploring of her to do something -- you're pretty sure that you've seen this youkai around before, but you can't exactly pin down where that was or what she was doing.
There's something a bit ironic about this scene: while the old man is quit pitiable, the rabbit youkai herself appears rather helpless. She seems to be in a state of guilt, and you'd wager that she's trying to find the right words for the situation.
It would maybe be in your interest to help? Or would you rather stay out of this and watch?
============
Takashiro Hitomi
- Delusional Ronin -
Area: Unknown Forest
Sub Area: ???
Time: Early Morning
Weather: Clear sky, slightly cold
HP: 180
MP: 10
P. Status Effects:None
N. Status Effects:Visibility Impaired
|-20% to Hit Rate|
It's rather dark in here. You can barely see a few meters ahead of you thanks to the really thick canopy above. That alone wouldn't be a problem, but the only sound that accompanies you as you walk is the very echo of your footsteps resonating on the stone path.
If one really has to go through all of this to arrive at the Hakurei Shrine, you're fairly certain that it's obvious why so few people would be willing to go there. While you had heard all kinds of things as to why no one ever went to visit the Shrine, it had always struck as you as a rather odd thing that those whom were under the Hakurei Shrine Maiden's protection happened to be the least concerned about paying their respects to her in person, or the god that she served. You had never seen her in person, but if she was the one that kept the balance in Gensoukyou--
Crack.
Your train of thought is broken as your ears pick up the sound of a twig being stepped upon. Reflexively, you move your hand quickly over the hilt of your trusted sword - one can never be too careful in case of a potential youkai attack. Well, with the spellcards rules and all, it wasn't like there was much to fear, but your reflexes as someone that has practised kenjutsu for a long time kick in before your reason.
"Who goes there?!"
That would've been your line, but at any rate, this person can speak, and they appear to be wondering the same thing as you. From behind a tree, you see their figure clad in white walk out into view, sword and shield in hand. That physique... is that...
"Identify yourself, and explain why you're here!"
... a Wolf Tengu? You might want to ask yourself what one of these is doing on the path to the Hakurei Shrine. As far as you know they should be patrolling Youkai Mountain, not anywhere near the Hakurei Shrine which is one of the farthest locations from the Youkai Mountain.
============
Avelyn Sinclair
- Director of Envy -
Area: Misty Lake
Sub Area: Southern Shore
Time: Early Morning
Weather: Clear sky, slightly cold
HP: 60
MP: 40
P. Status Effects:None
N. Status Effects:Visibility Impaired
|-20% to Hit Rate|
The scenery before you is pretty much what you'd have expected based on its eponymous name: 'The Misty Lake'. Above the entire body of water hangs a persistent mist which never leaves, no matter what season of the year it is -- well, you can't really verify the latter part since you've only reached the surface for your 'research' just a few days ago. There is a faint air of magic surrounding the waters though, leading you to believe that it wouldn't be out of place for this mist to be an integral and permanent part of the scenery.
As different as it is from Old Hell though, appreciating the environment isn't why you came here. What matters for Avelyn Sinclair is collecting more 'samples' -- granted you've been warned that people do not have as much free reign as they do in Old Hell when it comes to violence. According to the villagers you've talked to, there is a system that's been set up which automatically activates itself whenever hostilities open up, preventing bouts of violence from being fatal and allowing people to battle to their heart's content: the "Spellcard" rules, was it?
Well, this shouldn't be that much of a problem since you're not a murderer, merely a woman in pursuit of knowledge. Also, they did mention that people that cannot die tend to react differently to the spellcard rules - it's not like they appeared to hold fairies in very high esteem. At least a point of similarity between Old Hell and the world above.
As you continue to search for fairies, the mist thickens to the point that you can barely see what's ahead of you. You've managed to find a way to progress by continuing alongside the edge of the water, but so far, you've haven't had any luck running into any fairy. A bit disappointing, since the Misty Lake was from what you had been told, a major gathering place for them.
Could it be that they were still sleeping? It would seem rather fitting for these child-like spirits to laze around so early in the morning--
"Waaaahhhh?!"
...as soon as you ponder that possibility though, someone bumps in your back. You quickly turn around to face them, hoping that this happened to be a fairy, however...
"M-my bad, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."
A young woman clad in a white and green dress which has a peculiar fashion design, as if a mix between to origins of starkly opposing nature, and wearing a green beret with an obtrusive star plastered to its front stands before you. Her hair is crimson red, to the point you could say it's burning even with the notable lack of sunlight thanks to the thick mist that's surrounded you. The traits of her eyes are quite similar to her those of her hair.
While it'd be rather natural to consider this person another human, there's just something off with them... having tampered and researched with the field of souls extensively, the feeling that this red-headed lady gives seem to lean more towards a youkai's.
"Oh? I haven't seen you around before -- are you from the Village?" she asks after having taken her time to size you up. "Or could it be that you got lost? It's rather rare seeing people around the lake this early..."
The redhead lets out a strange laugh at the end of her sentence. You could swear that she's making fun of... herself? That's clearly an awkward laugh there that she made.
Well, should you ask her for some directions and assistance, or would it be better to go on and search by yourself?
============
Akemi Teruko
- Messenger of Virtues -
Area: Human Village
Sub Area: Shrine of Hope
Time: Early Morning
Weather: Clear sky, slightly cold
HP: 140
MP: 40
P. Status Effects:None
N. Status Effects:None
Your Shrine has not been doing too well as of late. Visitors have been somewhat sparse, a fact that troubles you quite a bit. Perhaps is there something lacking in regards to the way you try to appeal to the masses? But then, is even seeing this entire ordeal as a business of some sort something proper? 'Selling' faith isn't exactly virtuous according to your ideals; love and belief should be entirely selfless and devoid of self-interest -- that is at least what you stand for. An avatar of virtuousness... perhaps that you should be more outgoing!
Yes, obviously sitting here all day wouldn't attract that many worshippers. Granted, people that did wander into the shrine always left out with a smile on their face, at least there was that. Also, they also would come back from time to time, paying their visit at least once per month.
To claim that your mission was a total failure was far from the truth, it was just a bit slow to start up!
You hover to the entrance of your shrine trying to mustard a bit of self-confidence, something which you never really had. Well, humility was a virtue, seeing that it's opposite, Pride had been the downfall of the Lord's favourite...
... but would you really go anywhere without a bit of that 'vice'?
As you float by the entrance of your shrine in thought, you notice a hooded figure walk up to you. Their face is entirely hidden in the shadow of their hood, and it doesn't look like they're planning to reveal their visage any time soon. Being a spirit of virtuousness, you really feel the itch to just pull that hood down for them, seeing that anyone who stands as a paragon of justice has nothing to hide -- however, there's a feeling of ominous power around that person which makes you reconsider that impulse of yours.
Besides, it wouldn't be very polite and welcoming.
"Greetings, Kami of this Shrine. You are the Spirit of Virtues that has recently moved in, am I right?"
Their tone is polite and amicable, but there's an underlying something which doesn't make you feel very comfortable. Nevertheless, this person appears to be looking for a conversation... wouldn't it be natural to grace them with a chat?
======
Nimbin
- Serene Drifter of the Skies -
Area: Human Village
Sub Area: Keine's School
Time: Early Morning
Weather: Clear sky, slightly cold
HP: 60
MP: 20
P. Status Effects:None
N. Status Effects:None
You've been aimlessly drifting around while asleep. It's a bit of an annoyance to be the Fairy of Clouds, because that means the moment you lose consciousness and fall asleep, you just end up like one of them, clouds that is, and begin to get moved about freely by the wind's whims.
Rubbing your eyes, you notice that haphazardness has made you land on the roof of a building. Scrutinizing your surroundings, it becomes quickly clear that you have been ferried to the Human Village. It wouldn't have been that hard to guess though, with all the chatter going on about - there were very few places in Gensoukyou where the atmosphere could be as animated as that, and where so many humans would congregate.
Looking down below you, you can see a little girl and a young women talking. They're at the entrance of the building on which you've landed and appear to be discussing about something about someone missing. You can't hear the details too well though.
On the other side below you is a courtyard, and you can spot countless children playing.
Assuming you could be bothered to do so, you could maybe let curiosity get the better of your and eavesdrop on the discussion of these two people, or you could... do some prank on them? Or prank the children in the backyard, these are suitable targets as well after all.
======
Alitia
- The Postal Youkai -
Area: Human Village
Sub Area: Keine's School
Time: Early Morning
Weather: Clear sky, slightly cold
HP: 180
MP: 50
P. Status Effects:None
N. Status Effects:None
"Thank you very much for your hard work, Alitia-san."
The silver-coloured lady smiles generously as she takes the package meant for her. She is rather tall, so you have to stretch your arms upwards by quite a bit to hand her the item, even standing on the tip of your toes -- or well, it is less the fact that she is a mature woman but more the fact that you are rather short even by Youkai standards... still, you're pretty certain that you supersede her in the age department at least! Youkai do grow up much more slowly than humans after all, so this isn't something to fret about.
This person is fairly nice at any rate, and a lot of times your work leads you back to her since she's both a teacher and the headmaster of this school, causing her to receive quite a lot of mail. Her name is Kamishirasawa Keine, and she' called the Protector of the Human Village. While you've never seen her fight or even, be rude to people, you have heard rumours that she can get quite scary when angered...
"Oh, here is a little extra for you for being always early and eager to help~" she cheerily while handing you the pay for your job, adding in some extra money. She's always been kind and generous, so this isn't the first time that she's doing this to you.
"Although... do you think that you could do me another favour?" she asks, her smile fading a bit.
"There's someone whom I'd like you to visit... she was supposed to show up today at school but I've yet to hear from her. Knowing that lazy Mokou, she might be oversleeping or something!"
Mokou? That name sounds familiar, but you can't recall exactly why it happens to be so.
Anyway, Keine's errand shouldn't be anything difficult since it's just going to check up on someone, and it's not like you have any more packages to deliver for now.
What should you do?
======
Chikoshi Kouko
- Tardy Reporting Veteran -
Area: Tengu Village
Sub Area: Chikoshi News Agency
Time: Early Morning
Weather: Clear sky, slightly cold
HP: 200
MP: 35
P. Status Effects:None
N. Status Effects:None
You put down your pencil and review the comics which you have drawn so far. While the storyline and the art seems pretty fine, in fact, you'd say that it's quite the perfect piece of art, there remains a fundamental problem which has been plaguing you ever since you woke up: the fact that this was supposed to be ready for last month's issue.
Oh well, some things can't be helped. Being late was an unfortunate happenstance which followed you throughout your life, maybe some sort of bad luck you were born with. You had accepted that problem since long and learnt to deal with it.
You take a sip from your cup of tea as you lean back against your chair to take a breather. Hadn't you taken one like a minute ago?
Nah, that must be your imagination. Speaking of which though, there's nearly no tea left in the cup nor in the teapot, so it might be a good time to stand up and go make some more.
As you get ready to stand up though, a gust of wind runs throughout your office and the door is flung open abruptly. The air currents generated is strong enough to send your paper flying everywhere, but being a Tengu, you're fast enough to catch it all... theoretically. You unfortunately happen to be rather late at realizing what's happening, and your reaction to all of this is quite delayed.
Unlike the person that just barged her way into your office.
"Whoopsy daisy, my bad for the mess. I just happen to be in a hurry."
The intruder is a crow tengu, if that wasn't obvious enough from the aftermath of their entrance: only winged tengu like her would be able of generating such winds from their speed. This isn't any Crow Tengu though, it is Shameimaru Aya, one of the leading Tengu Reporters and also one of the strongest Tengu to dwell on Youkai Mountain. Since your work in the same field, you could say that the two of you are rivals, although she never seems to really consider you as one.
Also, her apology appears to be an apology only in name. Only the most naive of individuals could not pick up the absolute lack of repentance, granted, the mess is probably an actual accident, just that her natural mischievousness causes her to appreciate the results of her 'entrance'.
"At any rate Chikoshi-san, do you think that you could do me a favour? I've received a report that there appears to be an armed intruder trespassing into Youkai Mountain, but I need to head out for a scoop my sources have caught wind of -- could you kindly go check up on the intruder instead of me? I'll give you some prime material for your own paper later a compensation!"
Invested, energetic and lively, you could say that Shameimaru Aya is the entire opposite of your whole being. Unlike you who is always late, she appears to be at the right spot always at the right time, and as a reporter, she always pre-emptively scouts for information to craft her articles.
Now, what will you answer to her request? Having some more material to write on later would be fairly nice, since you're also late in terms of finding nice happenings to write on, but then, can you really further delay the completion of your comics?
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Originally Posted by Mcjon01
