Tengu Reporter Quest (Touhou) (World 7 - Wheel of Time)

Keep talking to Piña when she returns from the melee.
- Mention your thoughts about the Order's future if something happened to her during a melee.


Fighters afoot and mounted flow chaotically as they try to 'defeat' the other side, as real a combat as they can risk, live steel wielded with full strength against armored opponents. Panache is unhorsed, and you learn forward as her subordinates contract defensively around her, only for Piña to pull back her own forces, setting up for a charge – but a barked command from Panache sends her knights bolting forward first, breaking the princess's momentum. Two knights hem in Piña, and she is unceremoniously knocked out of the saddle, one of the girls pulling her horse after her. Counting the horses, you count only thirty still on the field, most belonging to Panache's force, which begins circling around Piña's. You smile, recognizing the idea: the princess has to stay on the defensive, restricting her troops' mobility, or she will have her foot troops defeated or taken captive by Panache's superior riders. And because of that superiority, even staging a breakout probably wouldn't work. Piña, it seems, recognizes that as well as you do, and orders her troops to raise their spears. Some of the knights don't hear the initial command, but it's repeated quickly and loudly, and Panache's troops cease their circling assault. The two leaders meet – it looks to you like Panache is concealing a limp – and Piña kneels, accepting defeat. Of course, Panache immediately pulls her commander to her feet, looking scandalized, but Piña laughs and shakes her head, then flicks Panache's forehead. So the next round should be Bozes and Panache, which ….

"With this small amount of troops, the difference in style between the White and Yellow commanders shouldn't matter much, right?" Grey nods.

"Mm. The match won't be long enough, either, and Bozes's mounts aren't so much larger as to make a difference, either." You frown and study the horses more closely as the squadrons begin organizing themselves, but you can't see any real difference in size between the various mounts. There would have to be a minimum size, since the equipment isn't very different between the squadrons, but they all look to be much the same type as each other, varying only in things like color and mane style. Piña waves away offers of a remount and walks up to where you wait. You wonder how much of that is wanting to walk and how much is wanting to give Panache some more rest time. Hamilton sneaks up behind you, Suissesse in tow, with a tray of refreshments for the princess. "Your Highness. A match well-fought." She snorts and shakes her head, accepting a cup of water from her aide.

"I made a mistake, didn't think Panache would react so aggressively. Are you enjoying yourself, Miss Spy?" She smiles at you, taking some of the edge off her words, but you frown as the two squadrons charge toward each other.

"... Princess Piña, what would happen to the Order if something happened to you?" Grey and Hamilton inhale sharply, if quietly, and Piña's smile fades as she turns toward you.

"Panache and Bozes will handle my duties until a new squadron leader can be selected – assuming I am removed from a combat-capable role entirely, anyway. We do have -!" She flinches back as you rap her forehead with your pen, and her eyes widen as she touches the spot where you hit her, the color slowly rising in her cheeks. Hatate freezes and stares at you open-mouthed.

"You aren't stupid, little girl, so take a moment and think. Say you're out there, leading a squadron in mock combat, and your horse slips on a patch of mud, and your foot tangles just so, and you break your leg three fingers above the knee. You bleed to death. What happens to your Rose Order of Knights when their primary patron and master dies without having once engaged in real combat against an enemy?" The princess glares at you, but you simply cross your arms and stare levelly back; this young girl is going to have to practice a lot more before she can hope to make you take her seriously with just a look!

"Um, Your Highness? A-Aya isn't trying to threaten you -" Hatate winces as the knights turn their full attention to her, but presses on. "I-It's like … if Prince Zorzal created a knightly order expressly for the purpose of enhancing the prestige of humans, and decided to defeat and enslave the non-human Apostles of the gods. If he spent several years building up his order, training and equipping them, spending treasure and personal credit – and then tripped and broke his neck falling down the stairs. What would happen to the order with its patron, founder, and main supporter dead without having even attacked a single Apostle?" Her eyes meet yours, seeking approval, and you nod ever so slightly before taking back over.

"Hatate's example is perhaps extreme, Your Highness, but you must know that there is significant opposition to your enterprise. If you were not an Imperial Princess, would the Rose Order be as large and well-equipped as it is? Would anyone pay any attention to it, or to your desires for it?" She spins away from you, watching the melee below, quivering fists the only outward indicator of her anger. Hamilton stares at her worriedly, but Grey's attention is focused on you. Panache and Bozes, unaware of the drama, duel with their squadrons, no attention paid to tactics or maneuvering, just forty knights fighting as individuals in a chaotic, whirling melee.

"... Do you think I don't know that?" Piña's voice is hard, angry, and brittle as rusted-through iron. "I can't do anything! If I take the Order farther than a day's ride from the capital, squadrons of wyvern-riders just happen to be investigating the area. If I search for conditions where rebellions might occur, or slaves might try for freedom – judges are going there to search for corruption and abuses of the law, and nobles there suddenly find themselves freeing their slaves and granting them money or territory! I can't – can't …." She stands there, breathing heavily, and Hamilton slowly reaches for her arm, then hugs Piña and leans against her.

"Your Highness … I … is there …?" As suddenly as it came, Piña's temper vanishes, and she slumps, leaning back against Hamilton, and she shakes her head.

"It's fine, Hamilton," she says in a broken-down voice. "And … I know what would happen if I died. But I … I can't do anything, so there's nothing left but to try and … work out the frustration. Would Diabo be able to help?" Grey's eyes widen and you adopt a thoughtful pose.

"... I don't know, Your Highness. He didn't send me here to spy on you and your Order, and I don't know what he knows of it, or what his thoughts would be if I brought it up. Would you like me to ask him?" Hatate gapes at you, mouth hanging open like a fairy, but you aren't doing anything wrong. You aren't lying, and you're not even promising to talk to him! All you're asking is if Piña wants you to ask Diabo. You look past the princess, at the ongoing combat: Bozes and Panache have found each other and are wheeling their mounts about each other, churning up the grass and sending up clods of dirt. Half the knights have left the melee, and it seems like more of Bozes's knights have taken prisoners than have been taken.

"No," Piña says, and a little alarm goes off in your mind. "I … I'll ask him, after I've thought a bit more about it. In fact, if you really haven't been sent here to spy on us, I would like to ask you to not mention what you have learned here to him, at least not before I've talked with him." Hm. And of course Hatate looks relieved by that. Unfortunately, it does mean that you don't have a ready excuse to meet with Diabo, and he is unlikely to believe that you're one of his spies …. Ah, well, you'll figure something out.


What do you do?

[ ] Express your gratitude to Piña for allowing you to see the tournament, and go back to the city.
- [ ] Check out the big arena.
- [ ] Check out the baths.

[ ] Other?

Express your gratitude to Piña for allowing you to see the tournament, and go back to the city.
- Go see what Hardy's follower wanted.



"I think I understand, Your Highness," you say, drawing a few frowns, and bow. "I would like to thank you, for the opportunity to see your magnificent knights in action, and for your hospitality toward us. I think, however, that we should return to the capital now." Relief grows on several faces, but Grey's frown deepens; he's probably suspicious, and old enough to think things through clearly instead of being dazzled. He'll probably still come to the wrong conclusion … but it's still probably better that you get away from him now. Piña nods dully for a moment, then shakes her head and looks around.

"You'll need horses, then, so …." You wave your hands to get her attention and shake your head.

"Ah, no, we'll be fine, Princess. Really. If you were already planning on sending someone back to the city for something, we certainly can ride back with them, but we're quite able to get back without horses just fine. No need to disrupt things any further on our account." She gives you a relieved look and relaxes.

"O-Oh, if you're certain … still, you should at least be …." She trails off and you stifle a chuckle as she tries to fight down a blush.

"I'm sure no one will think we're being thrown out if Sir Grey were to escort us to the edge of the camp. After all, we haven't heard all his stories yet!" Piña stares at you for a moment, then laughs and shakes her head before looking at her chief advisor. He smiles resignedly and waves her on.

"Go, Your Highness. I'll see them out properly. Come along, please." He gestures courteously for you and Hatate to follow him, and after bowing and thanking Piña once more, the three of you make your way back to the road leading out of the camp. A knight rides up, and you look down the lines to see two others; it is probably easier to keep the sentries moving than to have them stand around in one place, and it takes up fewer troops.

"Sir Grey, is everything alright?" The girl's eyes sparkle when she looks at the older man, but simply smiles politely – not that that stops her cheeks from coloring when he says her name.

"Everything is fine, Lady Morgan. Her Highness's guests simply have an appointment back in the city they need to leave for." She nods seriously, however much she worships the man, and her eyes flicker down as she studies your clothes. Jealousy, perhaps?

"Shall I fetch a pair of riding horses, Sir Grey?" He only shakes his head.

"No, they already declined the princess's offer. Who's out on the path right now?" You blink, momentarily confused, and Hatate looks worried, but Morgan just taps her chin as she thinks.

"Mmm … I think it's either Suze or Renat, right now. Neither of them should be a problem, though." She looks back at you and smiles, dancing her horse to the side. "Just make sure you stay on the road, don't try to keep to one side or walk through the forest itself. It's people who are sneaking around that we keep the closest eyes on, and you certainly aren't dressed for creeping past someone." She nods, then her horse circles about to put Grey at her knee. You smile and bow back.

"Thank you, Lady Morgan. Sir Grey. I'm sure I'll see you again." Hatate makes a similar response before following you down the hill, and your smile vanishes as soon as you turn away from them. Of course you would have to take the same path back, at least until you see their patrol. Once you're past that you can fly back to the city. Hatate catches up to you, easily matching your ground-eating stride.

"Where are we going?" You consider grilling her on what she did, or perhaps on what the notes she took were about, but you're not that upset, and not at all with her. Maybe if you were going somewhere to relax ….

"Once we get back to the capital? Mm, see what that priestess at the temple wanted with us. I'd like to spend a couple more days touring the districts, see if we can avoid getting into any trouble, but that shouldn't start before tomorrow, since today we were with the nobility." Hatate thinks about it for a moment before nodding in agreement. But first you have to get past these knights – it'd almost be worth it to just sneak anyway … 'not dressed' for sneaking …!


The temple looms ahead of you, vast and relatively deserted out of respect for the weather. You look up, wondering if the dragon-riders are supposed to stay up there even with the risk of lightning, then shrug as the gentle susurrus of light rain approaches. Hatate hurries forward, wanting to outrun the water, but you just shake your head, and continue walking. You make it in before the rain arrives, and Hatate huddles embarrassedly. You pat her shoulder and walk through the entryway into the temple itself.

The first thing you do is stop and take a deep breath. It isn't quite a divine presence that fills the building, but it's close. It's like the feeling of walking into the primary residence of a deity, when they're not home … or like some of the really impressive shrines. Yes, this is not a youkai place. You take a few steps, then turn and pull Hatate along after you; she shakes herself, blushing, and joins you in looking around. Doors surround you, several dozen of them, all closed and most marked with some symbol; some are simple, like the one that's marked by a sun, or the one marked by a tree, but others are more complex designs that don't seem to reflect any natural element, but a concept of some kind. And there's a second floor above you, reached by stairs next to the entry or along the far wall. Everything is made of stone except the doors, and while most of the walls are grey and bare, the floors are painted with scenes of people – usually human – doing various deeds: fighting, singing, praying, writing, cooking. Perhaps they're representative of the gods and their worship? Or maybe they're just pictures from stories, ancient heroes that you would recognize if you'd been born into this society …. The few humans around swerve around you, and Hatate shuffles in place, frustrated by the amused looks of mockery and disdain. And, as before, your powers are … muffled.

Before you can decide whether to simply start knocking on doors and asking the priests where Hardy's room is, or to ask one of the other visitors, the door marked by a black sphere opens and the same young girl who tried to meet you earlier bolts out. Another priestess tries to follow her out – an old woman, missing an arm, who stumbles into the doorframe and glares after the sprinting girl, who bounces off the guards of one noble and almost knocks down a matron before colliding with you and throwing her arms around you in a tight hug.

"Oh, you came back! You did, you did, and when you left I was so scared. Come, come, let's go inside." She steps back, looking up at you with bright green eyes framed by black hair, then grabs your and Hatate's arms and tries to pull you toward the door. You shrug at Hatate's skeptical look and let the girl guide you; after a few steps, when she's sure you're following, she lets you go and walks along a little more quickly, ignoring the other visitors. For their part, they watch the spectacle with confusion and worry. The one-armed priestess glowers from the doorframe, blinking rheumy blue eyes at you.

"You need to learn restraint, girl. High Priests can't go running around, knocking over supplicants and acting without decorum." The girl sniffs.

"Hmph. Restraint is for the living, and I'm dead. Hardy said so. Besides, I can't be the High Priest here until I'm older." You reach out to poke Hatate before she can ask the obvious question.

"Mora, please." The girl huffs and pouts – it's not a cute sight, especially on a little girl who isn't trying to be pretty while doing it. "These two are Hardy's guests?" She blinks owlishly again, then reaches out with her arm to cup your chin. Mora perks up as you scowl and push the old woman away.

"Yup! I wouldn't have brought them if they weren't. I'd have brought them earlier, but that stupid lady stopped me." The old woman shakes her head.

"Well, if Mora says you're the ones Hardy meant, you must be the ones. Come inside, please." She shuffles inside, into a surprisingly well-lit and cozy room, and Mora smiles happily and nods, waiting for you to enter. Hatate looks around uncomfortably as they close the door behind you – probably remembering Hardy's sanctum, but you aren't even underground right now.

"How did Hardy tell you to look for us? And why wouldn't she have just told us whatever it is she wanted us to know?" Mora's smile vanishes, replaced by panic and fear.

"W-what? You – but – s-she sent you her message, too! She had to have, or you wouldn't have come here! Th-That – Granny, you -" The old woman places a hand over Mora's mouth and smiles gently.

"Calm down, Mora. Good girl. Sit, and learn some restraint. You, too, honored guests." Mora tremblingly sits next to the older woman on a backless seat, while you and Hatate take comfortable chairs. "Thank you. To start with, Hardy can send people dreams; as sleep brings people closer to death, so can the god who rules over the dead speak to them and direct their actions. Last night, did you not dream at all?" You and Hatate glance at each other, recalling last night.

"... Something, anyway," you say, and proceed to explain to the priestesses about the 'dream.' The old woman laughs mirthlessly and shakes her head.

"And you didn't think to ask a fortune-teller about it? I'm surprised you didn't recognize the symbols you did see – the looming presence of death over everything, the holy color of Hardy, and the inevitability of death that you cannot fight. If you want to reach my age, you'll need to learn to think, young lady." Hatate snorts irreverently and glares at the woman.

"Anyway, what did Hardy want with us, that she'd go to this much trouble?" The woman frowns at Hatate, but Mora just smiles and nods.

"She wants to reward you, and to invite you to the wedding! It's going to be held soon, I think, but you should probably go to Belnago to find out. Ah, we can get them wyverns, so it only takes a couple days, right?" The woman nods slowly, and Mora looks back at you, beaming – then she leans forward curiously. "Um, can I ask? What did you do? I mean, if you know." Hatate looks at you as you frown thoughtfully. Hardy wants to reward you, does she? But you'll probably have to go back to Belnago, and possibly see her directly again. But you simply upheld your part of the bargain, so there shouldn't need to be any further reward, and you'd really rather not put anyone into the mindset of thinking that you, or tengu in general, can be so easily lured ….


What do you do?

[ ] Tell Mora what you did to earn Hardy's gratitude.
- [ ] Respectfully refuse Hardy's invitation.

[ ] Don't tell Mora about what you did.
- [ ] Respectfully refuse Hardy's invitation.

[ ] Other?


NOTE: Unless you vote for something else to happen, Aya and Hatate will return to the dragon roost for the night, and a vote for city-crawling will take place after they wake up. Not voting to refuse doesn't mean you are locked into going back to Belnago.