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

Go see the place in the clouds Monstermama mentioned.


You tap your camera. There's probably not much more to learn here, unless you want to pick Jinx's brain or something – or you could probably trail some of the citizens and see just what they're doing to support the town – so it's time to move on. Where? Well, you don't have a Star Piece, so you probably can't get to Smithy without a real fight, so that just leaves one place. "Well, Hatate, it's about time to go." She looks up from taking a few last pictures.

"Go? Back to the mansion?" You chuckle and shake your head.

"Getting tired of mushrooms already? No, we're going to see the competition." She frowns as you hop to your feet and stretch your wings. A few of the people down in the street look up warily, but continue minding their own business when you don't start hurling lightning down on them. "Monstermama said something about a place where even land-dwellers can reach the sky, right? So let's go see what that's like, and what the local Celestials are like." Hatate's face twists in displeasure.

"Beh~ Can't we just … not? We could explore the Koopa Kingdom …." You lightly knock on her skull a few times.

"Don't fuss. Come on, let's go see what those poor fools who can't fly have to deal with." Suiting actions to words, you heft your bag and dart into the air. Hatate is only a few seconds behind you and quickly catches up as you fly higher and higher before turning north. Past the desert, past a nearly-sheer cliff, the land suddenly explodes into color, and you and Hatate spend several minutes taking pictures of the gorgeous autumn-like scenery. You land, warily eyeing one of the many green pipes scattered around, and examine the red and gold plants. It seems as though the vibrant terrain isn't the result of mismatched seasons, however – they are simply normally red and gold and such. And yet you can't decide whether such a backdrop would suit Remilia's mansion better than the one it currently stands against. … Probably not.

"Well … it's certainly very pretty. Almost pretty enough to make up for having to walk through, I guess. But what are all these pipes for?"

"They're here for the same reason they're everywhere else, Hatate."

"Oh. Right." You roll your eyes as she nods and looks around. "So – up?" You don't answer and just start flying toward what looks like a cluster of plants growing in mid-air. Your impression is quickly proved correct, although the vines – wrapped around nothing at all – seem to be withering, likely due to being anchored in clouds a hundred meters in the sky … or possibly due to the troop of bird-dressed warriors flying down to meet you, short spears in hand.

"Hey, you! No outsiders allowed! Queen Valentina's orders!" Hatate starts to reply, but her confused look back at you makes you smile and wave her out of the way and adopt one of your more imperious and bossy manners.

"Well, you're certainly not the welcome Valentina told us to expect. I am Aya Shameimaru, and this is Hatate Himekaidou. We're Investigators from the Tengu Information Corps and members of the Koopa Troop Press Corps, here on official business." You quickly flash your Koopa badge and a slightly-out-of-date card from your notebook. "Now, return to your posts or we shall simply fly around you and then inform Valentina of your disgraceful attitude toward us." The red-garbed warriors look confused, from what little you can tell of the shadows within the costumes' beaks, and the leader turns toward his fellows for a short game of Confused Looks. Hatate, meanwhile, stares incredulously at you.

"Er … our apologies, Ma'am. I – I mean, we should have realized it, since you were flying like us, and all, but, er, I guess we've gotten a bit bored. Uh, please don't tell tell Queen Valentina about this." He doesn't sound quite contrite enough, and you lean forward, peering intently – but you're not going to press your luck. Just because you could probably tumble all six of them out of the air accidentally doesn't mean it's a good idea.

"Hmph. I suppose I shall let it pass, just this once. You may return to your post." The bird-warriors nod stiffly and start flying up toward a small shack clumsily attached to one of the vines. An enormous red shell, even larger than Bowser, hangs next to the shack, dainty wings twitching occasionally. You and Hatate fly up, following the withering vines.

"... Aya. Aya, what." You chuckle and shake your head.

"It's like I told you in Falmart. Act like you're supposed to be there. Say what will make the other side back down, in a way that makes it seem like you belong, and how dare they interrupt you. Be snooty. It really works." Her concerned expression doesn't fade much, though.

"Even though you told them who we are?" You shrug.

"What's it going to hurt? Assuming they remember our names correctly, what are they going to do that will cause trouble later on – and I mean real trouble, like enough to cause problems for us?" Hatate just shakes her head silently, unable to muster a response to your overwhelming logic, and the two of you fly up past layers of semi-solid clouds until you reach a settlement. Most of the buildings don't even qualify for the title, looking more like fairy dwellings with sheets or blankets covering the openings. The major exception, on the other hand, is both solidly built and looks vaguely like some kind of frozen dessert you've seen Remilia serve on occasion.

The citizens, on the other hand, are extremely familiar, looking like more well-formed versions of Mallow, with discrete heads and torsos, but still looking vaguely fluffy. You look down at the cloud you're standing on, then back at some of the citizens. Not quite the same texture, but you have to wonder what they do with dead people around here. Throw them off the island and let them turn into rain? For their part, most of the citizens don't give you any trouble, just a glance, a smile and a nod, and then continuing on their way. The few exceptions are the bird-warriors – most of which are patrolling around the palace-apparent – and little masked Snifit-likes in green, who all seem terribly nervous. The Birds watch you suspiciously, and the timid things skitter away from you, but neither make any moves to actually apprehend you. Maybe they're just there to look intimidating or keep people out of the palace? No one's going there, after all, despite the many furtive glances toward it.


What do you do?

[ ] Stay out here and talk to the commoners first.

[ ] Try to bluff your way into the palace.

[ ] Sneak into the palace.

[ ] Other?

Stay out here and talk to the commoners first.


Figuring out what the majority of people think is the basis of a solid investigation. While you can get a good story by simply going to the top and letting whoever's in charge run their mouth for a few minutes, getting the perspective of those who aren't rich and powerful is very handy for figuring out how much you're being lied to, and what about. After a few seconds of looking around, you find your first target – a cloud-woman who seems to just be taking a rest. She smiles at you and Hatate when you approach and pats the bench.

"Oh, my, it's so rare to get visitors, especially nowadays. Come, take a seat." You smile back and sit next to her. After sitting down, Hatate leans against you, drawing a chuckle from the woman and a sharp elbow to the ribs from you.

"It seems like a nice place," you offer inoffensively, and the woman smiles, although it turns a bit melancholy after a few seconds.

"It is, it is. Although, it's been nicer. Once, Nimbus Land was open to anyone who wanted to visit, but with the King sick and the Queen taking care of him, and Prince Mallow missing … well, Valentina seems to have the right idea. I don't like closing down the kingdom, but if it keeps the King safer, maybe it's for the best." You nod as the wave of information washes over you. The bird warrior below called Valentina the queen, but this woman is claiming she isn't. There is a Mallow who should be the prince of this land, but he's missing. Hatate seems to have caught some of that, too.

"Missing? What happened to the prince?" The woman sighs and shrugs.

"No one rightly knows. He was being cared for one day – oh, this was years ago, mind you – when he just … was gone. The King and Queen were grief-stricken, and Valentina was enraged. I'm not sure it was the best thing to exile the Prince's nurse, but … well, maybe it was. If she stayed here, she'd just be reminded of what happened. And Valentina's connections with the Shy Guys and the Birdies have helped keep things here running smoothly even while she has them search for Prince Mallow. I really don't know what we would do if she weren't here, especially with the King now sick." You lean back and tap the tip of your pen against your notebook. "Oh, I'm not bothering you with my rambling, am I?" You laugh and shake your head.

"No, no – we're reporters, actually. And since no one's been here in so long …." She puts a hand over her mouth and gasps.

"Reporters! Oh, you should go to the palace! Valentina loves to talk about her plans, but most of us can't really follow her very well. I'm sure she'd love to have someone who could get her message out properly. Oh, and you could help spread the word about Prince Mallow! Maybe he just doesn't remember anything, but if you help spread the word, maybe he could find out about us!" Hatate coughs unconvincingly, and the woman looks at her with a look of worry on her snowman-like face. "Oh, dear, you'd certainly better head to the palace. Valentina's had all kinds of doctors in to see the King, so they'll be able to help your friend." You smile and shake your head.

"She's fine, you don't need to worry. It might just be the air up here – she usually tries to stay inside all day. Thank you for your concern, however." The woman nods slowly, then looks at her feet before shaking herself.

"I need to get home, though. Can't let anyone think I've fallen off the cloud again!" She laughs to herself and stands up, picking up her bag and nodding at you and Hatate before strolling off toward some dwelling. Hopefully she isn't representative of the locals, though ….

"Aya. Don't you think we should go tell them?" You sigh and shake your head.

"Not really – at least, not right now." She starts to respond, and you put your thumb under her chin and your first two fingers next to her nose, then squeeze to keep her quiet. "It's not our business, and we're not heroes. Maybe we will, when we get around to it, but we also might not. But we're certainly not going to drop what we're doing right now to go back to Seaside Town, hope that they've come back from searching underwater, and are waiting for us, just so we can tell them about this place. Okay?" She nods, pouting, and you release her. "Good girl." She snorts – and just for that, you decide to make her do the next couple interviews.




The woman, unfortunately, was rather representative of the locals. They aren't stupid, exactly – not like fairies – but they are rather placid and unimaginative. Despite the narrative being built up – of Valentina slowly creating a stranglehold over the palace and information, of cementing her position in the hierarchy of Nimbus Land – and despite some clear implications from Hatate's questions, no one seems to think that Valentina could have anything other than the well-being of Nimbus Land and its residents at heart. She's certainly not selfish or greedy – oh, those gold statues she has that artist deliver every few weeks? She might be a little vain, but that's hardly a crime, and certainly justifiable in her case. Why, you and Hatate are almost as pretty as she is! After finally escaping from her last interview, Hatate leans exhaustedly against a tree.

"Aya? These people … they're not really that dumb, are they? They don't really believe … everything they're saying, do they?" You pat her back and sigh.

"I think they might. They aren't looking toward the palace fearfully every other sentence, or engaging in any other behaviors that typify the heavily oppressed. Either they're propagandized, brainwashed, or a bit … slow. I guess we'll find out when we see Valentina herself." Hatate gives you a weary look and you spread your arms before looking at yourself. "Several of them said we were almost as pretty as she is. Either they're telling the truth, they're dumb, or they have awful taste – and while I can't rule out that last one -" Hatate groans loudly and tries to whack you with one of her wings. You simply step back and sigh.


What do you do?

[ ] Go see that artist who's making statues for Valentina.

[ ] Sneak into the palace.

[ ] Try to bluff your way into the palace.

[ ] Other?

Go see that artist who's making statues for Valentina.


"Well, maybe we can see what she looks like before we actually meet her," you say, and Hatate's eyes light up. You pat her shoulder, then use it to start steering her around the town. "Later, if this Garro person doesn't have any statues of her ready. Or if we can't find him, but I doubt we'll have any trouble with that." Hatate deflates and sighs, but goes along with your plan. The poor girl; even when her ability can be useful, it's often easier to just go looking in person. Maybe some other place you can see will have a good opportunity for its use?

The artist's shop isn't difficult to find, and a small sign hanging from a plant helpfully informs you that his name is Garro. You step inside, and the one-room studio is quite bright – not only do the plant-walls leave a sort of skylight in the room, but there are several bright lamps hanging from the walls and ceiling. A citizen, presumably Garro, is working at a large oven in the back, and you leave him to his work for the moment. There's a statue that resembles Mallow standing against a shelf, but to your right are a pair of statues that are probably supposed to be of Valentina. You aren't impressed, and Hatate actually reaches out to touch the bird-hat Valentina is wearing before shaking her head. Then the owner turns and sees you. "Hm? Oh, sorry, I didn't hear you. I'm about to start work on a statue right now, but if you want to place an order, I can help you right now." Garro is, almost strangely, as soft-looking as any of his fellow citizens. He certainly doesn't look like someone who makes statues for a living – but then, his kind seem to be made that way.

"I'm Aya, and this is Hatate. We're actually reporters, and we were wondering if you might be able to answer some questions for us." Garro's congenial expression clouds over slightly, his pale skin greying almost imperceptibly.

"Mm. I really should finish this statue for Valentina," he says, half to himself, but then he sighs and shrugs. "Alright. If you can keep it quick, anyway. I do need to get started on this soon." You smile and nod.

"Alright, first question." You gesture at the statue that resembles Mallow. "I met a person who looks quite like this statue here. His name was Mallow, and he didn't know where he was from or who his parents were. Is this a statue of him?" Garro stares at you for several seconds before shaking himself. Hatate gives you a searching look, then starts poking around the rest of the shop, looking at the books on a couple shelves and peering at ornaments.

"... Mallow? He … he looked like … this?" You fight back a wince at the artist's confused state, but Garro doesn't seem to notice.

"Yes. Almost identical, really. It's why I was curious." Garro stumbles, falling to a sitting position and shaking his head.

"That …." He coughs and shakes his head again, clearing it. "That statue is of King Nimbus when he was young. If … you said his name was … Mallow? Then … it could be him! Tell me, do you know where he is? Can you tell me how to get to him, or – or do you know if he can come here? Valentina has the stalks shut down, but …." His face darkens significantly, a stormcloud in miniature.

"Hm. Why don't we just tell Valentina? I know where he was the last time I saw him, but he might not be there anymore. Surely someone able to afford such … exquisite statues can fund a search party? I heard someone say that she has connections with those flying bird-warriors, too …." Garro's scowl deepens.

"No, no. I've been thinking, and I'm not sure I trust her anymore. The King suddenly falls ill, and then no one enters or leaves the palace except her supporters and servants. It does make sense to not subject him to any extra stress while he's getting better, but it seems fishy." Abruptly, his complexion returns to normal and he sighs. "But what if I'm wrong? The boy you saw might not be the real prince, the King might really be gravely ill. Without being able to see him, how can anyone tell?"

"Well, you get into the palace all the time, don't you? Haven't you ever gone looking?" He stares blankly at you for a moment, then shakes his head.

"No … it never really occurred to me. But Valentina always meets me near the entrance anyway, and her guards are stationed everywhere. Even if I got away from her, I wouldn't be able to make it anywhere without being caught." You could, of course – and you probably wouldn't have to sneak around.

"Hmm … what is Valentina like, anyway? I've heard a bit about her, but not a whole lot." Garro sits quietly for a moment, then shrugs.

"Valentina is … well, she's very different from the King and Queen. Very different from anyone here in Nimbus Land. Very … loud and outspoken." His face wrinkles as he considers his temporary ruler. Does he not have the right words, or does he not really have the right concepts? He certainly seems ignorant of some obvious possibilities that could be the case right now – but he's hardly unique in that. Every citizen you've spoken to seems to be lacking some of the more … self-preserving instincts. Perhaps they've simply never had real cause to develop them, safe in the clouds as they are?

"Oh, Garro! Your, uh, materials?" The artisan turns at Hatate's call, then jumps to his feet and hurries to the oven.

"Oh, my statue! Ah, I'm sorry, I need to work on this. Feel free to look around the shop if you're interested in anything. Once I'm finished, we can talk about what you want made." You glance at Hatate – there were still things you could have asked Garro about, after all – then retreat to the doorway. Hatate joins you, huddling close.

"Aya, we're probably not going to figure anything else out. And there probably isn't a Star Piece here, either. I think we should just go and tell them about this place." She has a point about probably not getting much else out of Garro – not without a better target to aim for, anyway. On the other hand, there's no real reason you should spend the time to go tell Mallow about this place, either. And she could be wrong about the Star Piece – it could be the reason Valentina ordered the palace locked down, after all. Pretend the King is sick while experimenting with the Star Piece, or just staring at it, and no one can interrupt her for fear of risking the King's health.


What do you do?

[ ] Sneak into the palace.

[ ] Try to enter the palace openly.

[ ] Other?