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

Keep asking Saria questions.
- Explain about fairies in Gensokyo and ask about how the Kokiri's role differs from the natural role fairies play.


You glance over your notes; as she seems to be a forest spirit rather than a child, it's unlikely that anyone will be particularly worried over how late she's out. Although she did also say that the Kokiri can die, so …. "Would you say that the Kokiri are fairies?" Surprisingly, she laughs at your question and shakes her head.

"Oh, no, we're not fairies." She reaches out, her small hand cupped lightly, and the ball of light settles on her fingertips for just a moment before bouncing back into the air around her head. Saria turns back to you, still smiling. "But we are accompanied by them. Every Kokiri has a guardian fairy, a friend and a companion that stays with them. They point things out, help us keep an eye on our surroundings, and give us advice." You look to your side, then shake your head at Hatate's suspicious frown. True, if you were in Gensokyo then you'd wonder about anyone trusting a fairy to give good advice and keep an eye on things – but this isn't Gensokyo.

"Hmm … then … what are fairies? Do you know?" Saria just frowns at you, confused, and looks up at her fairy companion. You scratch your cheek, then walk past Saria and lay your hand on a stricken tree that stands precariously near the ruined staircase. "I suppose … let me put it this way. Where we come from, fairies are expressions of nature. Where there is nature, there are fairies. And they can, to an extent, restore their surroundings; if some fairies took up residence in this tree, for example, they might be able to make it healthy once more. Hearing you talk about the Great Deku Tree, and how you've been able to notice subtle changes in the world, made me wonder if you Kokiri performed a similar function." Saria smiles sadly and shakes her head.

"No, I'm afraid not. There are fairies that will gladly help people, giving up their own life-energies to heal someone in need, but I don't think they've ever done that for plants or trees. And we … we've always just lived in the forest. The Great Deku Tree watched over us and protected us. If there was a way to help him, if we could do something …." She clasps her hands together and tries to keep herself from crying. "Do – do you think you could bring some of your fairies here, to see if they can help the Great Deku Tree?" Behind Saria, Hatate makes a face. Wrangling fairies and getting them to do something they don't want to … true, Remilia keeps them around more for the principle of having servants than because they're any good, but she is somehow able to get them to work if she really wants something. Either because some expression of your distaste for fairies shows through, or just because you take too long to answer, Saria's shoulders.

"It … probably won't be possible. First, I'm not in charge of any fairies, and second I don't control the way to get here, so even if I did force some fairies to agree to come here, I might not be able to actually bring them. Moreover, if the Great Deku Tree is already dead, I don't think there's anything they would be able to do. If there's a seed or sapling that can be planted, they might be able to increase its rate of growth, but …." You shrug and Saria nods, her eyes focused as she thinks about something. Is there a seed that she knows about?

"Umm …." Hatate trails off as Saria continues staring, and you gesture for her to go on. "Excuse me, Miss Saria?" The fairy swoops around the girl's ear, and that makes her jump, and she turns toward Hatate with an embarrassed look on her face.

"Ah, I'm sorry. What is it?"

"Um, we heard you say something about a 'wolfos' when we caught up to you. What are those, exactly? And are there any dangerous creatures in the forest we should worry about?" Saria starts to smile, then frowns and looks back at you before returning her attention to Hatate.

"Well, wolfos are probably the most dangerous individual creatures you'll run into in the forest, unless you get really unlucky and meet a stalfos. They're a lot like normal wolves, but their spine and legs are shaped a bit different. They can stand on their hind legs, although they're clumsier than when they're on all fours. I'm not sure just how dangerous they are – I've never been attacked by one – but the Skull Kids can drive them off, so if you're safe from them, you're probably fine against one or two wolfos." She sits back down on the stump and stretches. "Apart from wolfos and the Skull Kids, though, it's really just the dangerous plants you have to worry about – Deku Babas and Deku Scrubs. Deku Babas have long stalks with big purple heads, and they try to bite anyone who gets close enough. Once you've seen one, though, it's pretty easy to avoid any others, since you'll have a good idea of where they can grow. Deku Scrubs, though …." Her carefree expression fades a bit, and she sighs. "There are two main varieties, green and red. Both like to hide in grass, and are capable of spitting deku seeds at things that come too close. The red variety is more aggressive and spits seeds more quickly; if you get caught by more than two of them, it can be very hard to escape. It's one reason you'll see – well, if you see them – a lot of Kokiri carrying wooden shields outside the village. The third kind are called 'Business Scrubs.' They aren't always hostile, and they're willing to sell things to people … but it's usually stuff you can find easily in the forest anyway." She looks up at the sky, then nods. "I'm sorry for running away earlier, but I should probably get back to the village soon. Do you two need help getting out of the forest?" She looks back at you, and you rub your chin thoughtfully. There probably isn't any way you can get her to show you the village, and she's probably going to be very careful going there, but it might be possible to follow her anyway. Not that that seems like a good idea ….


What do you do?

[ ] Ask Saria to lead you to an exit to the forest.
- Any more questions for her?
- Where to go?

[ ] Stay and investigate the mansion.

[ ] Leave on your own.
- [ ] Go to the castle.
- [ ] Go to the mountain village.

[ ] Other?