Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are locked.
Tengu Reporter Quest (Touhou) (World 7 - Wheel of Time)
- Thread starter Entropy Judge
- Start date
- Crossover
Talking to Rory
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Keep talking to Rory.
- Inquire about weddings held under normal circumstances.
"Actually, what would this wedding be like if it were more normal?" Rory raises an eyebrow at your question.
"Do you mean if I wasn't opposed to it, if I wasn't an Apostle, or if Hardy wasn't a god?" You nod quickly.
"Yes, exactly! Of course there are going to be cultural differences – I'm sure the various non-human groups have different wedding ceremonies than the Empire, that different regions have different marriage customs, and that social and economic classes often have different rites as well. I'm sure that one could fill libraries on wedding customs and the like, assuming no one already has, of course. But, yes, let's start with those three." Rory watches you patiently for a moment, then smiles and rolls off the bed.
"Let me think for a bit," she says as she starts pacing, stocking-clad feet silent on the smooth stone floor. "... I don't actually know what the normal wedding practices for Hardy's followers are; Emroy doesn't have any official ones, although most use ceremonies that are similar to the warrior bunnies' different weddings. One partner issues a formal declaration and the receiving partner formally refuses it. Challenges are set – usually physical trials of some kind – and at the end the issuing partner has to push through a crowd, pick up their spouse-to-be, and carry them to a prearranged location." She grins at your expression. "The warrior bunnies mostly have female children, so they most commonly obtain spouses by kidnapping them from another area and taking them home. They have a few different ceremonies, of course – if they're marrying one of the rare males of their species, for example, or a few other specifics that most people don't know or care about." You shake your head.
"No, no, I was just thinking how familiar that ceremony is. The oni back home have something very similar, although they don't have a lopsided ratio like the warrior bunnies do. You say that Emroy's followers usually use that?"
"It's common in the priesthood and other serious worshipers. People who don't live in a shrine usually follow whatever the local custom is – which, as you said, depends on species and class." Your pen scratches quietly in your notebook.
"And is that the sort of wedding you would like to have?" Her expression turns melancholic and she leans against the bedpost. After almost a minute of increasingly heavy silence, she shakes her head.
"... Well, anyway. If Hardy were marrying someone else – one of her followers, or just some other mortal, there probably wouldn't be much of a ceremony. It's hard to have a ceremony that asks for the blessings of the gods when one of the participants is a god. Mostly it would just be celebrations for a week, or however long they last." Her voice is perfectly normal, and her expression doesn't show any signs of unhappiness, but that was a very clumsy dodge. So she is still human, then? She wants love and marriage and all that, but of course her nature makes it difficult to actually get that. And she isn't being particularly secretive – not unless she's a whole lot less intelligent than you think – so the desire is obviously there. She just isn't willing to talk about it, which is … not entirely unreasonable, given the circumstances.
"And if you weren't opposed to the marriage, and you were still an Apostle and Hardy a god?" Rory's eyes blaze and she stamps her foot against the floor.
"That's a whole different problem! I'm sure Hardy does find me attractive, and maybe she'd want to marry me even if I wasn't an Apostle. But I am, and I'm Emroy's Apostle, which just makes everything worse!" She snarls, grinding her teeth and curling her fingers around the nonexistent haft of an axe.
"Er, could you perhaps … explain?" She glances at you, then huffs and drops down to sit on the floor.
"I'm an Apostle, intimately linked to my god. Emroy and Hardy are … not enemies in the sense that Emroy and Zufmuut are, but are definitely rivals. If I were willing – if I loved Hardy enough to want to marry her – then I wouldn't want to continue as Emroy's Apostle. Her claiming me, trying to force this marriage through even though I'm Emroy's Apostle – it's an attack on Emroy. A consensual marriage would be fairly meaningless, but forcing it through almost certainly means she's going to try and forge a link between us. Regardless of whether she intends to simply deny Emroy the use of me, or if she's planning something more insidious, this is far more than just about me."
"Oh? Giselle said that this sort of poaching wasn't unheard of. What makes you sure there's more to it than Hardy simply desiring you?" Rory glowers at you – she's certainly better than Giselle, although part of that might simply be that Giselle has different facial muscles than a human. She probably snarls much more ferociously ….
"Gods abducting another god's Apostle has happened before, yes. Almost always as some form of attack. But Hardy has been after me for over two hundred years, and with how close I am to ascension …. Emroy doesn't make Apostles. For her to be so serious about this, and so unrelenting for so long – no, I don't think this is about me." You cross your ankles as you consider Rory's words. A love squabble would be one thing, but Rory is implying – stating – that you're involved in a godly power game, in divine politics. Which isn't a problem in and of itself, but it is a problem in your current situation, as it could have significant consequences for the youkai who move here, especially if Hardy does end up more powerful as a result of the marriage going through. And, of course, whether or not it actually causes problems for youkai who move here is something you can't determine, because it depends on everyone else's reactions to Hardy's move, as well as what Hardy does afterward ….
What do you do?
[ ] Keep talking to Rory.
- About?
[ ] Go back to your room.
[ ] Other?
- Inquire about weddings held under normal circumstances.
"Actually, what would this wedding be like if it were more normal?" Rory raises an eyebrow at your question.
"Do you mean if I wasn't opposed to it, if I wasn't an Apostle, or if Hardy wasn't a god?" You nod quickly.
"Yes, exactly! Of course there are going to be cultural differences – I'm sure the various non-human groups have different wedding ceremonies than the Empire, that different regions have different marriage customs, and that social and economic classes often have different rites as well. I'm sure that one could fill libraries on wedding customs and the like, assuming no one already has, of course. But, yes, let's start with those three." Rory watches you patiently for a moment, then smiles and rolls off the bed.
"Let me think for a bit," she says as she starts pacing, stocking-clad feet silent on the smooth stone floor. "... I don't actually know what the normal wedding practices for Hardy's followers are; Emroy doesn't have any official ones, although most use ceremonies that are similar to the warrior bunnies' different weddings. One partner issues a formal declaration and the receiving partner formally refuses it. Challenges are set – usually physical trials of some kind – and at the end the issuing partner has to push through a crowd, pick up their spouse-to-be, and carry them to a prearranged location." She grins at your expression. "The warrior bunnies mostly have female children, so they most commonly obtain spouses by kidnapping them from another area and taking them home. They have a few different ceremonies, of course – if they're marrying one of the rare males of their species, for example, or a few other specifics that most people don't know or care about." You shake your head.
"No, no, I was just thinking how familiar that ceremony is. The oni back home have something very similar, although they don't have a lopsided ratio like the warrior bunnies do. You say that Emroy's followers usually use that?"
"It's common in the priesthood and other serious worshipers. People who don't live in a shrine usually follow whatever the local custom is – which, as you said, depends on species and class." Your pen scratches quietly in your notebook.
"And is that the sort of wedding you would like to have?" Her expression turns melancholic and she leans against the bedpost. After almost a minute of increasingly heavy silence, she shakes her head.
"... Well, anyway. If Hardy were marrying someone else – one of her followers, or just some other mortal, there probably wouldn't be much of a ceremony. It's hard to have a ceremony that asks for the blessings of the gods when one of the participants is a god. Mostly it would just be celebrations for a week, or however long they last." Her voice is perfectly normal, and her expression doesn't show any signs of unhappiness, but that was a very clumsy dodge. So she is still human, then? She wants love and marriage and all that, but of course her nature makes it difficult to actually get that. And she isn't being particularly secretive – not unless she's a whole lot less intelligent than you think – so the desire is obviously there. She just isn't willing to talk about it, which is … not entirely unreasonable, given the circumstances.
"And if you weren't opposed to the marriage, and you were still an Apostle and Hardy a god?" Rory's eyes blaze and she stamps her foot against the floor.
"That's a whole different problem! I'm sure Hardy does find me attractive, and maybe she'd want to marry me even if I wasn't an Apostle. But I am, and I'm Emroy's Apostle, which just makes everything worse!" She snarls, grinding her teeth and curling her fingers around the nonexistent haft of an axe.
"Er, could you perhaps … explain?" She glances at you, then huffs and drops down to sit on the floor.
"I'm an Apostle, intimately linked to my god. Emroy and Hardy are … not enemies in the sense that Emroy and Zufmuut are, but are definitely rivals. If I were willing – if I loved Hardy enough to want to marry her – then I wouldn't want to continue as Emroy's Apostle. Her claiming me, trying to force this marriage through even though I'm Emroy's Apostle – it's an attack on Emroy. A consensual marriage would be fairly meaningless, but forcing it through almost certainly means she's going to try and forge a link between us. Regardless of whether she intends to simply deny Emroy the use of me, or if she's planning something more insidious, this is far more than just about me."
"Oh? Giselle said that this sort of poaching wasn't unheard of. What makes you sure there's more to it than Hardy simply desiring you?" Rory glowers at you – she's certainly better than Giselle, although part of that might simply be that Giselle has different facial muscles than a human. She probably snarls much more ferociously ….
"Gods abducting another god's Apostle has happened before, yes. Almost always as some form of attack. But Hardy has been after me for over two hundred years, and with how close I am to ascension …. Emroy doesn't make Apostles. For her to be so serious about this, and so unrelenting for so long – no, I don't think this is about me." You cross your ankles as you consider Rory's words. A love squabble would be one thing, but Rory is implying – stating – that you're involved in a godly power game, in divine politics. Which isn't a problem in and of itself, but it is a problem in your current situation, as it could have significant consequences for the youkai who move here, especially if Hardy does end up more powerful as a result of the marriage going through. And, of course, whether or not it actually causes problems for youkai who move here is something you can't determine, because it depends on everyone else's reactions to Hardy's move, as well as what Hardy does afterward ….
What do you do?
[ ] Keep talking to Rory.
- About?
[ ] Go back to your room.
[ ] Other?
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
EDIT: Votes are locked.
Last edited:
Talking to Rory II
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Keep talking to Rory.
- Godly rivalries, what are the relations between the other gods like for the most part here?
"Then, are rivalries between gods a common thing here? I'm not talking about their followers. You've said that Hardy and Emroy have a rivalry, and Emroy and Zufmuut, and I've heard something about a triangle between Neran and the Apostles he made. You said that gods do attack each other …." Rory chuckles and shakes her head.
"Ah, that is …." She stretches languidly, then acrobatically vaults herself from the floor to the bed and stretches out. "It's complicated. First, you have to remember that gods are ancient. Not only does this give them a different perspective on things like mortals and their lives, but it means they've been doing their work for a long time, and they can get bored. So some apparent hostilities might be nothing more than one or two gods finding something to do with their existences that is more fun. … What is it?" You smooth your expression at her suspicion and shake your head.
"No, no, I was just thinking. That is actually something we have some experience with." She watches you expectantly, then shrugs.
".... Well. There are some gods who do have real hostilities with each other, of course; Hardy and Zufmuut's rivalries with Emroy are the most famous, of course. It should be noted that rivalries between gods doesn't necessarily relate to rivalries between their priesthoods. Hardy and Zufmuut both oppose Emroy, but Hardy's followers don't do anything to Emroy's followers, while Zufmuut's do. Why don't you tell me about some of your stories for a change? If you do know something about gods getting bored, it might be interesting." She smiles sweetly and pulls one of the thick pillows toward her to rest her head on. You tap your nose with your pen for a moment, then flap your wings gently and start a breeze through the room. If only the walls were painted like Keza's room, you could feel a bit more comfortable ….
"Well, the experience I was talking about was more just for long-lived types in general. A lot of that is circumstance, though; my world is different enough from this one that a life experience comparison is quite difficult. But divine rivalries – oh, yes, those exist. Amaterasu locking herself in a cave and depriving the world of the sun after a fight with her brother. And the many attempts to kill Okuninushi, both the successful ones and the unsuccessful ones." You stare thoughtfully at the bed's canopy for a moment before looking down at the gawking Apostle. "Oh, yes. The very nature of divinity is something that is different in my world. I'm no scholar, though, and I don't know much about the gods of this world. So, although it's late, I'm hoping to perhaps avoid entanglements like this in the future by learning about the relationships between gods. Will the other gods resent me and my people for assisting Hardy, or is it just considered usual business? Are there particular deities that oppose Hardy – for example, are the gods of the sky in opposition to her? Things like that." Rory stares at you, eyes strikingly dark and as flatly expressionless as the rest of her face.
"What are you after? Really, why ask me, when you could fly down to Rondel, or just ask some of the local scholars? I'm no scholar, either – I'm just old and have studied a bit." You hold her gaze.
Why ask her? Because she's here right now, and you can ask someone else later in a different place. What are you after? Knowledge, power, levers and handles that will let the tengu rule in the manner they tried to set up as the oni faded – hold tight the reins of truth and falsehood, and let none steal them from you. Let others know only what is useful to you for them to know, spread rumors to discredit enemies and the inconvenient, make up for the fact that tengu don't have the raw strength of some youkai by utilizing intelligence networks and taking advantage of their strengths and weaknesses in ways they hadn't even considered. Control what surrounds you by controlling the flow of information, and make others reliant on your services. Not that a bated breath of that is going to pass from your lips, nor is Hatate likely to goof off. Instead, a wide grin spreads across your face and you shrug helplessly. "I'm a shameless gossip, and I'm not sure Hardy or Giselle would take well to me asking if there was some unrequited love between her and Emroy. It seems safer to ask you if they were lovers in the far-distant past, and their rivalry is due to that, or if it's because they both function as gods of the dead. And similarly for other gods, and while I don't expect you to know everything about them, seeing as you're set to join their ranks in a few more decades, I would have expected you to have done some research over the years so you know what you're getting into regarding your soon-to-be peers." Rory stares blankly at you, and you review your breathlessly cascading words, but you don't think you said anything wrong. Rory shakes her head, long loose hair settling around her like a veil.
"Yes, that sort of attitude would get you in trouble with some people. As for your question about Hardy and Emroy – I don't know. I doubt it. Hardy does push into Emroy's domain; they aren't quite equivalent gods of the dead. Hardy gets the mooks, the losers, the everybodies. Emroy gets the warriors, the great fighters, and Hardy tries to snatch away those who catch her fancy. Like me, I suppose, although hopefully I won't end up a soul stuck in a jar for her to stare at …." That's right, by this time tomorrow she could be chained to Hardy, or she could be free and making her way back to Emroy's side, and that must be weighing on her. She stands up from the bed and walks over to the wall. "As for other gods – it's not much of an issue. Most gods' domains don't cross into another god's domain the same way. The sky gods, for example, have no trouble with Hardy, because what's in the sky and what's in the earth have no connection. Even Zufmuut's opposition to Emroy is at best tangential. He's the god of light and order, and the main points of contention are that Emroy's disciples most commonly serve as executioners despite Emroy also being the god most frequently revered by criminals. It's not the fact that he's the god of order that's causing the disruption, but that his particular view of order doesn't like the relation Emroy has to those who disrupt order." You raise an eyebrow questioningly.
"Earlier you said that Zufmuut is an enemy of Emroy's in a way that Hardy isn't. That doesn't seem to be what you're saying now." Rory sighs and shrugs.
"Hardy, for all her many, great, and varied offenses, doesn't actually claim that she deserves the souls she steals from Emroy. She just takes them because she can and doesn't bother to justify herself. Zufmuut and his followers do make claims about the state of Emroy's domains and how the world should function according to Zufmuut's design. Which in many ways makes him an enemy for all the gods, but as long Emroy and Hardy continue to ignore him, the most he can do is press his claims with the mortals." You nod, eyes narrowing as you contemplate Zufmuut. A god of order, but presumably relatively young – at least, weaker than Hardy or Emroy and unhappy with the current state of affairs. One that could be used for youkai ends, if suitably approached. Any entities that can read minds are frustrating to deal with, but a powerful god demands a great deal of caution and preparation. At least two layers of insulating minions, to minimize the wrong kinds of information flowing. That will make the meeting with Neran a bit difficult, of course ….
Still, handles among the gods exist. Some are stronger than others, some aren't as well-secured, but all can be used. Some delicacy might be required. Some losses might be sustained. … But that's later. You might be able to find something in Rondel, and there's that Gate, too ….
What do you do?
[ ] See if Rory is still willing to keep talking.
- About?
[ ] Go back to your room.
[ ] Other?
- Godly rivalries, what are the relations between the other gods like for the most part here?
"Then, are rivalries between gods a common thing here? I'm not talking about their followers. You've said that Hardy and Emroy have a rivalry, and Emroy and Zufmuut, and I've heard something about a triangle between Neran and the Apostles he made. You said that gods do attack each other …." Rory chuckles and shakes her head.
"Ah, that is …." She stretches languidly, then acrobatically vaults herself from the floor to the bed and stretches out. "It's complicated. First, you have to remember that gods are ancient. Not only does this give them a different perspective on things like mortals and their lives, but it means they've been doing their work for a long time, and they can get bored. So some apparent hostilities might be nothing more than one or two gods finding something to do with their existences that is more fun. … What is it?" You smooth your expression at her suspicion and shake your head.
"No, no, I was just thinking. That is actually something we have some experience with." She watches you expectantly, then shrugs.
".... Well. There are some gods who do have real hostilities with each other, of course; Hardy and Zufmuut's rivalries with Emroy are the most famous, of course. It should be noted that rivalries between gods doesn't necessarily relate to rivalries between their priesthoods. Hardy and Zufmuut both oppose Emroy, but Hardy's followers don't do anything to Emroy's followers, while Zufmuut's do. Why don't you tell me about some of your stories for a change? If you do know something about gods getting bored, it might be interesting." She smiles sweetly and pulls one of the thick pillows toward her to rest her head on. You tap your nose with your pen for a moment, then flap your wings gently and start a breeze through the room. If only the walls were painted like Keza's room, you could feel a bit more comfortable ….
"Well, the experience I was talking about was more just for long-lived types in general. A lot of that is circumstance, though; my world is different enough from this one that a life experience comparison is quite difficult. But divine rivalries – oh, yes, those exist. Amaterasu locking herself in a cave and depriving the world of the sun after a fight with her brother. And the many attempts to kill Okuninushi, both the successful ones and the unsuccessful ones." You stare thoughtfully at the bed's canopy for a moment before looking down at the gawking Apostle. "Oh, yes. The very nature of divinity is something that is different in my world. I'm no scholar, though, and I don't know much about the gods of this world. So, although it's late, I'm hoping to perhaps avoid entanglements like this in the future by learning about the relationships between gods. Will the other gods resent me and my people for assisting Hardy, or is it just considered usual business? Are there particular deities that oppose Hardy – for example, are the gods of the sky in opposition to her? Things like that." Rory stares at you, eyes strikingly dark and as flatly expressionless as the rest of her face.
"What are you after? Really, why ask me, when you could fly down to Rondel, or just ask some of the local scholars? I'm no scholar, either – I'm just old and have studied a bit." You hold her gaze.
Why ask her? Because she's here right now, and you can ask someone else later in a different place. What are you after? Knowledge, power, levers and handles that will let the tengu rule in the manner they tried to set up as the oni faded – hold tight the reins of truth and falsehood, and let none steal them from you. Let others know only what is useful to you for them to know, spread rumors to discredit enemies and the inconvenient, make up for the fact that tengu don't have the raw strength of some youkai by utilizing intelligence networks and taking advantage of their strengths and weaknesses in ways they hadn't even considered. Control what surrounds you by controlling the flow of information, and make others reliant on your services. Not that a bated breath of that is going to pass from your lips, nor is Hatate likely to goof off. Instead, a wide grin spreads across your face and you shrug helplessly. "I'm a shameless gossip, and I'm not sure Hardy or Giselle would take well to me asking if there was some unrequited love between her and Emroy. It seems safer to ask you if they were lovers in the far-distant past, and their rivalry is due to that, or if it's because they both function as gods of the dead. And similarly for other gods, and while I don't expect you to know everything about them, seeing as you're set to join their ranks in a few more decades, I would have expected you to have done some research over the years so you know what you're getting into regarding your soon-to-be peers." Rory stares blankly at you, and you review your breathlessly cascading words, but you don't think you said anything wrong. Rory shakes her head, long loose hair settling around her like a veil.
"Yes, that sort of attitude would get you in trouble with some people. As for your question about Hardy and Emroy – I don't know. I doubt it. Hardy does push into Emroy's domain; they aren't quite equivalent gods of the dead. Hardy gets the mooks, the losers, the everybodies. Emroy gets the warriors, the great fighters, and Hardy tries to snatch away those who catch her fancy. Like me, I suppose, although hopefully I won't end up a soul stuck in a jar for her to stare at …." That's right, by this time tomorrow she could be chained to Hardy, or she could be free and making her way back to Emroy's side, and that must be weighing on her. She stands up from the bed and walks over to the wall. "As for other gods – it's not much of an issue. Most gods' domains don't cross into another god's domain the same way. The sky gods, for example, have no trouble with Hardy, because what's in the sky and what's in the earth have no connection. Even Zufmuut's opposition to Emroy is at best tangential. He's the god of light and order, and the main points of contention are that Emroy's disciples most commonly serve as executioners despite Emroy also being the god most frequently revered by criminals. It's not the fact that he's the god of order that's causing the disruption, but that his particular view of order doesn't like the relation Emroy has to those who disrupt order." You raise an eyebrow questioningly.
"Earlier you said that Zufmuut is an enemy of Emroy's in a way that Hardy isn't. That doesn't seem to be what you're saying now." Rory sighs and shrugs.
"Hardy, for all her many, great, and varied offenses, doesn't actually claim that she deserves the souls she steals from Emroy. She just takes them because she can and doesn't bother to justify herself. Zufmuut and his followers do make claims about the state of Emroy's domains and how the world should function according to Zufmuut's design. Which in many ways makes him an enemy for all the gods, but as long Emroy and Hardy continue to ignore him, the most he can do is press his claims with the mortals." You nod, eyes narrowing as you contemplate Zufmuut. A god of order, but presumably relatively young – at least, weaker than Hardy or Emroy and unhappy with the current state of affairs. One that could be used for youkai ends, if suitably approached. Any entities that can read minds are frustrating to deal with, but a powerful god demands a great deal of caution and preparation. At least two layers of insulating minions, to minimize the wrong kinds of information flowing. That will make the meeting with Neran a bit difficult, of course ….
Still, handles among the gods exist. Some are stronger than others, some aren't as well-secured, but all can be used. Some delicacy might be required. Some losses might be sustained. … But that's later. You might be able to find something in Rondel, and there's that Gate, too ….
What do you do?
[ ] See if Rory is still willing to keep talking.
- About?
[ ] Go back to your room.
[ ] Other?
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
I'm not sure this is an answerable question, at least not in a conversation between Rory and Aya. Neither of them have a complete perspective of even their own respective societies, and Aya particularly would be tied up in If/Then scenarios and Maybes, all of which would have severe impacts on Rory's responses.
[X] Go back to your room.
- Location
- Internet
[X] Keep talking to Rory.
- Explain the existence of Youkai and what happen if the Tengu settle in this world and their effects on everyone?
- Explain the existence of Youkai and what happen if the Tengu settle in this world and their effects on everyone?
[X] Go back to your room
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are not locked.
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are locked.
Plan for Tomorrow
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Go back to your room.
You stretch, arms pulling back behind your head, wings stiffening to the sides, and toes curling up, then snap to your feet. Rory watches you from against the wall, and you smile at her. True, she doesn't wear the white as well as her own black-red, but she doesn't look awful. Yes, and this will make up for not being able to get a good picture of her earlier, too. Pen and notebook go back into the pouch, camera comes out, viewfinder settles on the Apostle's girlish form – and she bursts into motion as the flash goes off, spoiling the picture. You fling yourself up, flying to keep yourself out of her reach.
"What was that?" Rory's voice is cool, curious, as if she hadn't just done a credible imitation of a pouncing tiger.
"A memory aid," you say. "It helps me remember things."
"Isn't that what your notebook is for?"
"The notebook is for words and impressions. This is for images and inspirations." You look down through the camera again – if you were outside, if you could be sure she wouldn't react, then coming down and getting a low-angle shot would be nice – and Rory turns and walks back to the bed. She leans against a bedpost, tosses her hair so it falls like a veil over her right side, and smiles. Eyes wide, you drop to the floor and take a picture. You take a deep breath and put the camera away – a perfect shot. "Thank you, Rory. I hope things go well for you." She nods and waves once, then lies back on the bed. The guards close the doors behind you, and you make your way downstairs. The halls are still full of people busily hurrying back and forth. Most aren't talking to anyone, but the few snatches of conversation you hear indicate that everyone is still trying to finish last-minute preparations for the wedding – seating, refreshments, criers to repeat news for the vast number of people who won't be in the temple itself, all the little things that normally take a full month to resolve, having to be done as well as they can in a few short days.
For all that night has fallen now, the sky is bright with illumination. The stars twinkle merrily, the moon watches over the planet serenely, and the dancing light of myriad torches is enough for a human to see. But outside, it isn't busy; no, it's quiet, a sleeping city … heavy with anticipation. Everyone is waiting, and tomorrow is when the calm will break. Is there more at stake here than you've been led to believe? … Probably. You shake your head and walk back to your room, hopping back onto the balcony instead of going through the rest of the building, just as you left. Hatate is at the table, still – or again, perhaps – and raises her pen in greeting.
"Do we need to worry about berserk assassins trying to kill us, or anything like that?" She doesn't sound worried, but she still relaxes as you shake your head.
"No, no, it seems to have just been a traditional warning. Emroy's sending a group to try and interrupt the wedding tomorrow." Hatate's shoulders rise in outrage and you shake your finger at her. "Giselle is going to deal with, and she will have her dragons with her. She asked me if I'd watch her, but I'm not sure." Hatate flaps her wings weakly and leans forward, resting her chin on her interlaced fingers.
"Mm. Mora told me a bit about the ceremony. She's supposed to make sure Rory gives all her lines properly, which might entail actually speaking for her. The wedding itself will start mid-morning, and takes two-and-a-half to three hours to finish." You look out over the balcony, then smile and chuckle, and she looks at you curiously.
"Giselle said Emroy's followers would try to time their arrival to interrupt at the height of the ceremony, so they'll probably get here about noon. But the timing is significant, don't you think? Emroy is the god of darkness, after all, and noon is the time of day with the most light." Hatate gives you a look and you shrug. "Sure, I might be overthinking things – but I talked with Rory a bit, too. She thinks this is some kind of attack on Emroy, that it could do something more than just the bureaucratic legalese of a marriage." Reluctantly, Hatate nods, then drops her hands and lets her head thump against the table.
"Aaah! I just wanted to watch a nice wedding, and now you're telling me that it could be magical god politics that's going to be interrupted by a bunch of violent lunatics!" You stifle a giggle and move behind Hatate to massage her shoulders and wings. She whimpers blissfully. "Oh, that feels so good …." You indulge her for a few minutes, then pat her back and take a seat. She looks up at you happily. "Thank you, Aya."
"It's fine, it's fine. You're holding up well. If we do split up tomorrow, I take it you want to stay and watch the wedding instead of Giselle? She did say I wouldn't need to participate if I did watch her, so you should be fine, too." She makes a face as she thinks it over, then nods.
"Yeah. If – I mean, it's up to you, of course, but … I think I'd like the wedding more." You reach over and pat her head.
"Have you had dinner yet?" She shakes her head, and you stand up. "Well, let's see if our hosts have something we can eat, then."
The meal is quite good, mostly fruits and vegetables, with more meat than Hatate is comfortable with and not enough fish. They also bring you both wine and brandy, far more refreshing drinks than the beer you've had the misfortune to come across. You've had better even without resorting to some of the better alcoholics in Gensokyo, but a tengu could actually be somewhat relaxed with this kind of service.
You look up at the night sky and consider your options. There isn't anything you particularly need to do in the morning before the ceremony. Once that happens, though … well, if you let Hatate cover the ceremony, you don't even need to attend. Of course, you would then be pretty much obligated to watch Giselle's fight against Emroy's followers ….
What do you do?
[ ] Attend the ceremony.
- [ ] Until Emroy's attack, then go cover the attack.
- [ ] Until Emroy's attack, but send Hatate to cover the attack.
- [ ] Both of you stay until the end.
[ ] Don't attend the ceremony.
- [ ] Wait in your room until the attack.
- [ ] Stay with Giselle until the attack.
[ ] Other?
You stretch, arms pulling back behind your head, wings stiffening to the sides, and toes curling up, then snap to your feet. Rory watches you from against the wall, and you smile at her. True, she doesn't wear the white as well as her own black-red, but she doesn't look awful. Yes, and this will make up for not being able to get a good picture of her earlier, too. Pen and notebook go back into the pouch, camera comes out, viewfinder settles on the Apostle's girlish form – and she bursts into motion as the flash goes off, spoiling the picture. You fling yourself up, flying to keep yourself out of her reach.
"What was that?" Rory's voice is cool, curious, as if she hadn't just done a credible imitation of a pouncing tiger.
"A memory aid," you say. "It helps me remember things."
"Isn't that what your notebook is for?"
"The notebook is for words and impressions. This is for images and inspirations." You look down through the camera again – if you were outside, if you could be sure she wouldn't react, then coming down and getting a low-angle shot would be nice – and Rory turns and walks back to the bed. She leans against a bedpost, tosses her hair so it falls like a veil over her right side, and smiles. Eyes wide, you drop to the floor and take a picture. You take a deep breath and put the camera away – a perfect shot. "Thank you, Rory. I hope things go well for you." She nods and waves once, then lies back on the bed. The guards close the doors behind you, and you make your way downstairs. The halls are still full of people busily hurrying back and forth. Most aren't talking to anyone, but the few snatches of conversation you hear indicate that everyone is still trying to finish last-minute preparations for the wedding – seating, refreshments, criers to repeat news for the vast number of people who won't be in the temple itself, all the little things that normally take a full month to resolve, having to be done as well as they can in a few short days.
For all that night has fallen now, the sky is bright with illumination. The stars twinkle merrily, the moon watches over the planet serenely, and the dancing light of myriad torches is enough for a human to see. But outside, it isn't busy; no, it's quiet, a sleeping city … heavy with anticipation. Everyone is waiting, and tomorrow is when the calm will break. Is there more at stake here than you've been led to believe? … Probably. You shake your head and walk back to your room, hopping back onto the balcony instead of going through the rest of the building, just as you left. Hatate is at the table, still – or again, perhaps – and raises her pen in greeting.
"Do we need to worry about berserk assassins trying to kill us, or anything like that?" She doesn't sound worried, but she still relaxes as you shake your head.
"No, no, it seems to have just been a traditional warning. Emroy's sending a group to try and interrupt the wedding tomorrow." Hatate's shoulders rise in outrage and you shake your finger at her. "Giselle is going to deal with, and she will have her dragons with her. She asked me if I'd watch her, but I'm not sure." Hatate flaps her wings weakly and leans forward, resting her chin on her interlaced fingers.
"Mm. Mora told me a bit about the ceremony. She's supposed to make sure Rory gives all her lines properly, which might entail actually speaking for her. The wedding itself will start mid-morning, and takes two-and-a-half to three hours to finish." You look out over the balcony, then smile and chuckle, and she looks at you curiously.
"Giselle said Emroy's followers would try to time their arrival to interrupt at the height of the ceremony, so they'll probably get here about noon. But the timing is significant, don't you think? Emroy is the god of darkness, after all, and noon is the time of day with the most light." Hatate gives you a look and you shrug. "Sure, I might be overthinking things – but I talked with Rory a bit, too. She thinks this is some kind of attack on Emroy, that it could do something more than just the bureaucratic legalese of a marriage." Reluctantly, Hatate nods, then drops her hands and lets her head thump against the table.
"Aaah! I just wanted to watch a nice wedding, and now you're telling me that it could be magical god politics that's going to be interrupted by a bunch of violent lunatics!" You stifle a giggle and move behind Hatate to massage her shoulders and wings. She whimpers blissfully. "Oh, that feels so good …." You indulge her for a few minutes, then pat her back and take a seat. She looks up at you happily. "Thank you, Aya."
"It's fine, it's fine. You're holding up well. If we do split up tomorrow, I take it you want to stay and watch the wedding instead of Giselle? She did say I wouldn't need to participate if I did watch her, so you should be fine, too." She makes a face as she thinks it over, then nods.
"Yeah. If – I mean, it's up to you, of course, but … I think I'd like the wedding more." You reach over and pat her head.
"Have you had dinner yet?" She shakes her head, and you stand up. "Well, let's see if our hosts have something we can eat, then."
***
The meal is quite good, mostly fruits and vegetables, with more meat than Hatate is comfortable with and not enough fish. They also bring you both wine and brandy, far more refreshing drinks than the beer you've had the misfortune to come across. You've had better even without resorting to some of the better alcoholics in Gensokyo, but a tengu could actually be somewhat relaxed with this kind of service.
You look up at the night sky and consider your options. There isn't anything you particularly need to do in the morning before the ceremony. Once that happens, though … well, if you let Hatate cover the ceremony, you don't even need to attend. Of course, you would then be pretty much obligated to watch Giselle's fight against Emroy's followers ….
What do you do?
[ ] Attend the ceremony.
- [ ] Until Emroy's attack, then go cover the attack.
- [ ] Until Emroy's attack, but send Hatate to cover the attack.
- [ ] Both of you stay until the end.
[ ] Don't attend the ceremony.
- [ ] Wait in your room until the attack.
- [ ] Stay with Giselle until the attack.
[ ] Other?
Last edited: