Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
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Tengu Reporter Quest (Touhou) (World 7 - Wheel of Time)
- Thread starter Entropy Judge
- Start date
- Crossover
EDIT: Votes are locked.
Jinx II
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
You have more questions for Jinx.
"This is … peculiar," you say. You're not really sold on the idea of just coming out an asking how his people came to this world, not so early in the interview, and it's still possible that they're native. Just … quite unlikely. "Would you mind telling us a bit about your founding legends, if you know them?" Jinx gives you a puzzled look.
"Founding legends?" You nod and try to smile relaxedly.
"Mm. A lot of groups believe their people came from somewhere – either they were created by someone or something, or they grew out of a certain aspect of the world, or something like that. It's just … well, you said there aren't any tengu where you came from, but you still have legends about us. And if the architecture and art style you've chosen for your dojo and used in your book are used by your people, and not something in wider use in the area you come from …." You trail off as Jinx nods.
"Then there should be some connection between our people, because you are familiar with them as well. I don't make a big deal of it for most newcomers, but I do appreciate your removing your shoes before entering." He smiles and bows his head in thanks before adopting a more serious expression. "I'm afraid to say that I don't really recall most of those old stories. Hmm … I believe the oldest story that explains why we are so different from the inhabitants of this land – and you are correct, while we have adopted some of our neighbors' ways, our buildings and art are entirely unique – hmm. We were once part of a large family, all linked to a common ancestor, a great warrior who defeated enemies many times his own size. But his closest descendants, who continued to rule over all, became corrupt due to the power they accumulated. A portion of our people – those who became my ancestors – attempted to speak out against their decline, and when that failed, they sought to use a holy relic to flee from the oppressive rulers." He pauses, then shrugs with a smile. "I might recall a bit more, but I'm afraid I was never terribly fond of some of the old stories. To first speak out, and then to flee, without attempting to make the situation right? It never sat well with me." You nod, trying to keep your expression neutral. You aren't too familiar with the inchlings' history, but Issun died after your birth, and within a few centuries something happened to make them vanish almost entirely. And there was the whole deal with the oni's miracle-making hammer …. You shake yourself out of your daze before you can sink too deeply into thought, but if Jinx is bothered by your reaction, he doesn't show it.
"My apologies. If I may change the focus for a moment – have you been here long enough to experience the cycle of kidnappings and rescues that appears to go on between the Koopa and Mushroom Kingdoms? What are your thoughts on that?" Jagger makes a ragged choking sound as he turns away, coughing, and Jinx glances at his student with amusement before turning back to you.
"Please excuse Jagger; before becoming my student, he worked for Bowser. My opinion, however … well, it is not a good situation for two neighbors to be essentially at war with each other for an extended period, but Bowser's decision to deescalate to simple kidnappings instead of full-scale invasions is better for both kingdoms. And since the kidnappings are somewhat regular affairs, the Mushroom Kingdom can turn to other individuals to perform necessary duties and so not suffer so much when its princess is stolen, for however short a time." You nod, smiling slightly; that's about the attitude you'd expect from someone who wants to criticize the situation but is aware enough to know that there might be a good reason for those behaviors. "If I may ask, are you an exceptional warrior by the standards of your people?" You purse your lips, then shake your head.
"No, no; by tengu standards, I'm not really a warrior at all. It's been ages since I've had training, and I'm not part of the warrior class at all anymore. Now, I am considered quite powerful for a 'civilian,' as it were, but a lot of that is simple experience and raw power. Relative to my rank, I'm extremely powerful, and I'm well-known as the fastest tengu. I can fight you because I have that speed and strength, not because I'm particularly skilled in martial arts." Jinx nods, sinking into thought, and you can almost see his thoughts. There's obviously very little he can learn from you, based on what you just said and how you fought him – you used skills he simply doesn't have and can't really learn. But if there are skilled warriors where you come from, then Jinx might be able to learn from them …. "Is that why you left your home? To try and expand your martial arts knowledge?" You smile as Jinx gives you a surprised look. "You're interested in combat, whether learning or teaching, and you said you had a ship. It's possible you left your homeland because of a dispute, but it seems more likely to me that you left on a voyage of discovery." Jinx chuckles and nods.
"Yes. I am interested in expanding and refining our knowledge of martial arts. And I do enjoy teaching, or I wouldn't have started this dojo. When I fight others, I keep my eyes open, to try and see what techniques of theirs I can incorporate into my style." He stops speaking abruptly, his desires plain on his face. He wants to see what you consider to be skilled warriors, the tengu he's only heard of in myths. … But it's impossible right now; you can't bring him back with you, can't make any promises to bring one to see him. Of course, knowing that there are inchlings on this world might make some of the tengu want to come here, particularly if you make sure to write Jinx's article in as glowing terms as possible ….
What do you do?
[ ] Keep talking to Jinx.
- About?
[ ] See if Jinx has any questions.
- [ ] Then find somewhere to sleep.
[ ] Other?
"This is … peculiar," you say. You're not really sold on the idea of just coming out an asking how his people came to this world, not so early in the interview, and it's still possible that they're native. Just … quite unlikely. "Would you mind telling us a bit about your founding legends, if you know them?" Jinx gives you a puzzled look.
"Founding legends?" You nod and try to smile relaxedly.
"Mm. A lot of groups believe their people came from somewhere – either they were created by someone or something, or they grew out of a certain aspect of the world, or something like that. It's just … well, you said there aren't any tengu where you came from, but you still have legends about us. And if the architecture and art style you've chosen for your dojo and used in your book are used by your people, and not something in wider use in the area you come from …." You trail off as Jinx nods.
"Then there should be some connection between our people, because you are familiar with them as well. I don't make a big deal of it for most newcomers, but I do appreciate your removing your shoes before entering." He smiles and bows his head in thanks before adopting a more serious expression. "I'm afraid to say that I don't really recall most of those old stories. Hmm … I believe the oldest story that explains why we are so different from the inhabitants of this land – and you are correct, while we have adopted some of our neighbors' ways, our buildings and art are entirely unique – hmm. We were once part of a large family, all linked to a common ancestor, a great warrior who defeated enemies many times his own size. But his closest descendants, who continued to rule over all, became corrupt due to the power they accumulated. A portion of our people – those who became my ancestors – attempted to speak out against their decline, and when that failed, they sought to use a holy relic to flee from the oppressive rulers." He pauses, then shrugs with a smile. "I might recall a bit more, but I'm afraid I was never terribly fond of some of the old stories. To first speak out, and then to flee, without attempting to make the situation right? It never sat well with me." You nod, trying to keep your expression neutral. You aren't too familiar with the inchlings' history, but Issun died after your birth, and within a few centuries something happened to make them vanish almost entirely. And there was the whole deal with the oni's miracle-making hammer …. You shake yourself out of your daze before you can sink too deeply into thought, but if Jinx is bothered by your reaction, he doesn't show it.
"My apologies. If I may change the focus for a moment – have you been here long enough to experience the cycle of kidnappings and rescues that appears to go on between the Koopa and Mushroom Kingdoms? What are your thoughts on that?" Jagger makes a ragged choking sound as he turns away, coughing, and Jinx glances at his student with amusement before turning back to you.
"Please excuse Jagger; before becoming my student, he worked for Bowser. My opinion, however … well, it is not a good situation for two neighbors to be essentially at war with each other for an extended period, but Bowser's decision to deescalate to simple kidnappings instead of full-scale invasions is better for both kingdoms. And since the kidnappings are somewhat regular affairs, the Mushroom Kingdom can turn to other individuals to perform necessary duties and so not suffer so much when its princess is stolen, for however short a time." You nod, smiling slightly; that's about the attitude you'd expect from someone who wants to criticize the situation but is aware enough to know that there might be a good reason for those behaviors. "If I may ask, are you an exceptional warrior by the standards of your people?" You purse your lips, then shake your head.
"No, no; by tengu standards, I'm not really a warrior at all. It's been ages since I've had training, and I'm not part of the warrior class at all anymore. Now, I am considered quite powerful for a 'civilian,' as it were, but a lot of that is simple experience and raw power. Relative to my rank, I'm extremely powerful, and I'm well-known as the fastest tengu. I can fight you because I have that speed and strength, not because I'm particularly skilled in martial arts." Jinx nods, sinking into thought, and you can almost see his thoughts. There's obviously very little he can learn from you, based on what you just said and how you fought him – you used skills he simply doesn't have and can't really learn. But if there are skilled warriors where you come from, then Jinx might be able to learn from them …. "Is that why you left your home? To try and expand your martial arts knowledge?" You smile as Jinx gives you a surprised look. "You're interested in combat, whether learning or teaching, and you said you had a ship. It's possible you left your homeland because of a dispute, but it seems more likely to me that you left on a voyage of discovery." Jinx chuckles and nods.
"Yes. I am interested in expanding and refining our knowledge of martial arts. And I do enjoy teaching, or I wouldn't have started this dojo. When I fight others, I keep my eyes open, to try and see what techniques of theirs I can incorporate into my style." He stops speaking abruptly, his desires plain on his face. He wants to see what you consider to be skilled warriors, the tengu he's only heard of in myths. … But it's impossible right now; you can't bring him back with you, can't make any promises to bring one to see him. Of course, knowing that there are inchlings on this world might make some of the tengu want to come here, particularly if you make sure to write Jinx's article in as glowing terms as possible ….
What do you do?
[ ] Keep talking to Jinx.
- About?
[ ] See if Jinx has any questions.
- [ ] Then find somewhere to sleep.
[ ] Other?
- Location
- Internet
[X] See if Jinx has any questions.
- [X] Then find somewhere to sleep.
- [X] Then find somewhere to sleep.
Nottheunmaker
Altman be praised
- Location
- USG Ishimura
[X] See if Jinx has any questions.
- [X] Then find somewhere to sleep.
- [X] Then find somewhere to sleep.
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are not locked.
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are locked.
Jinx III
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
See if Jinx has any questions.
- Then find somewhere to sleep.
You tap your pen against your notebook for a moment, then shrug. "I can't think of anything else right now. Do you have any questions for us?" Jinx forces an excited look off his face.
"I … is it possible for one of your warriors to visit here?" You keep your expression as neutral as you can.
"That is not something I can make any promises about. Nor would I be allowed to bring you back to my home. I'm sorry." He takes a shuddering breath, clearly unhappy over the news despite presumably expecting it, and nods.
"... I understand. I had hoped, but … well. Still, you have traveled some, have you not? Jagger has told me some things of a 'Smithy' who has driven Bowser from his castle." The turtle nods.
"We tried retaking the keep, but … we failed. I came here to train and become stronger, so I could be a stronger member of the Koopa Troop."
"Hm. Bowser made another attempt to retake his castle, actually," you say, and Jagger stiffens, staring at you intently. "He failed, and was driven off by a flying ship that used some kind of beam weapon against him. I don't think we saw what happened to him – Hatate?" She shakes her head, and Jagger shakes his head rapidly, as if in denial. Jinx clears his throat and looks back at his student.
"Calm yourself, Jagger. What they say must have happened long before now; you have no way to intervene, even if you knew where Bowser was."
"... Yes, Sensei. It's just … it's hard. If …." He trails off and shakes his head, dispelling the thought.
"Rest for the night, Jagger. Sleep if you wish to, or enjoy the night. Examine yourself. We will see where we need to go in the morning." Jagger sits there for a moment, then nods and stands up, listlessly walking to the door to leave. "... Much of what I was told of Bowser was … not good. But Jagger respects him, and is greatly loyal to him. I hope that he is well." He watches the door for a moment, then takes a breath and turns back to you. "Having spoken of Bowser, what of Mario?" You smile.
"We've met him. He's traveling with Toadstool, and two … others. A doll called Geno, and a – I don't know, what would you call Mallow, Hatate?" You start to look at her, but even as you see her flustered expression, Jinx waves his hand dismissively.
"No, no, how strong is he? As a fighter. Could he beat you?" You blink and ponder the question. You start to answer, then turn to Hatate. Now, is it a good thing that he isn't interested in Mario's activities or a bad thing, and should you explain about his companions anyway? Not really worth thinking about right now, probably.
"You saw more of his fighting, I think. You can probably answer his questions better than I can." Even if you're personally almost certain that you could beat Mario easily. That sort of arrogance might be justified in your case, but it could also just be that. Hatate gives you a pleading look before making helpless wishy-washy motions with her hands.
"I … I don't know? I mean, I think – maybe? It depends on how they start fighting, and if it's one on one or what, but …." She trails off, and when Jinx looks away to think, she glowers at you, apparent awkwardness gone. You smile and nod.
"From what I saw, he's not a very technical fighter; he knows what's worked in the past, and he's a good fighter, but self-taught and not trained. At least, not that I could tell." Jinx nods thoughtfully, and you glance at Hatate. Time to go? She nods. "Anything else right now? If not, I think we'll find somewhere to sleep and see what the rest of the town is like tomorrow." Jinx nods absently, then looks up at you.
"Sleep? Ah, visit the Three Musty Fears. Come, I'll point out their door." He hops onto your shoulder and once you're out on the 'street' he points to a nondescript door near his dojo. "They really should put a sign up, but I suppose since everyone else already knows them, and newcomers would be shown around normally anyway, there's not much point. Anyway, they enjoy having guests. Sleep well." He bounces off your shoulder and bounds up the stairs to his dojo; you turn to Hatate and shrug before making your way to the directed door. No one answers your repeated knocks, but the door is unlocked, revealing a rather sparsely-furnished room, with a single large bed and a mushroom-like floor lamp.
"'Feel free to rest here. The Three Musty Fears.'" Hatate reads the note and shakes her head. "Feels like a prank, doesn't it?" You look around and nod, then lock the door.
"Like something fairies would set up, yeah. I'm not sure Jinx would direct us here just to mess with us, though, so it's probably fine." Hatate nods and sighs, stretching her wings as she looks around, and you chuckle. "Oh, it'll be fine. Come on, put your stuff down and let's get in." She pouts and slowly gets in after you. You pat the top of her head, grinning at her scowl, and motion for her to put her wing over you, then lay your own wing over hers. "There. Now just don't fall off." She sticks her tongue out, looks surprised at being almost close enough to reach your nose, and almost jerks herself off the bed. You pat the top of her head again. "Go to sleep, Hatate."
You wake up and flex your fingers. Food. Food is in your bag, but before you can get into your bag, you have to wake up Hatate. Aw, she looks cute, all defenseless like that. Then you realize that you can see her perfectly, unlike last night, and you twist your neck around to stare at the now-lit mushroom lamp. You stare at it for half a second, then burst from the bed to your bag, ignoring Hatate's squawk of terror. By the time she's fully awake and stomping toward you, you've determined that nothing is missing from your things. "Check your stuff, make sure nothing's missing." The door is still locked, but that's an easy enough thing; anyone able to get in would have been able to lock the door behind them when they left. Hatate doesn't argue, but after a quick check shrugs; nothing missing. Maybe it's a false alarm? Maybe the lamps here just do that? You frown at the lamp sitting unobtrusively in the corner. If you talk to it, will it answer? Can you talk to it without Hatate thinking you're crazy?
You rub your eyes and shake your head. Whatever. Nothing is immediately crisising at you, so you take out a decent chunk of your remaining supplies. Wordlessly, Hatate follows along, and once you're finished eating you sigh. Right. Now you can think.
What do you do?
[ ] Pretend nothing happened. See what else is in Monstro Town.
[ ] Go see Monstermama and ask her about the lamp and the Three Musty Fears.
[ ] Make sure Jinx didn't actually prank you somehow.
[ ] Other?
- Then find somewhere to sleep.
You tap your pen against your notebook for a moment, then shrug. "I can't think of anything else right now. Do you have any questions for us?" Jinx forces an excited look off his face.
"I … is it possible for one of your warriors to visit here?" You keep your expression as neutral as you can.
"That is not something I can make any promises about. Nor would I be allowed to bring you back to my home. I'm sorry." He takes a shuddering breath, clearly unhappy over the news despite presumably expecting it, and nods.
"... I understand. I had hoped, but … well. Still, you have traveled some, have you not? Jagger has told me some things of a 'Smithy' who has driven Bowser from his castle." The turtle nods.
"We tried retaking the keep, but … we failed. I came here to train and become stronger, so I could be a stronger member of the Koopa Troop."
"Hm. Bowser made another attempt to retake his castle, actually," you say, and Jagger stiffens, staring at you intently. "He failed, and was driven off by a flying ship that used some kind of beam weapon against him. I don't think we saw what happened to him – Hatate?" She shakes her head, and Jagger shakes his head rapidly, as if in denial. Jinx clears his throat and looks back at his student.
"Calm yourself, Jagger. What they say must have happened long before now; you have no way to intervene, even if you knew where Bowser was."
"... Yes, Sensei. It's just … it's hard. If …." He trails off and shakes his head, dispelling the thought.
"Rest for the night, Jagger. Sleep if you wish to, or enjoy the night. Examine yourself. We will see where we need to go in the morning." Jagger sits there for a moment, then nods and stands up, listlessly walking to the door to leave. "... Much of what I was told of Bowser was … not good. But Jagger respects him, and is greatly loyal to him. I hope that he is well." He watches the door for a moment, then takes a breath and turns back to you. "Having spoken of Bowser, what of Mario?" You smile.
"We've met him. He's traveling with Toadstool, and two … others. A doll called Geno, and a – I don't know, what would you call Mallow, Hatate?" You start to look at her, but even as you see her flustered expression, Jinx waves his hand dismissively.
"No, no, how strong is he? As a fighter. Could he beat you?" You blink and ponder the question. You start to answer, then turn to Hatate. Now, is it a good thing that he isn't interested in Mario's activities or a bad thing, and should you explain about his companions anyway? Not really worth thinking about right now, probably.
"You saw more of his fighting, I think. You can probably answer his questions better than I can." Even if you're personally almost certain that you could beat Mario easily. That sort of arrogance might be justified in your case, but it could also just be that. Hatate gives you a pleading look before making helpless wishy-washy motions with her hands.
"I … I don't know? I mean, I think – maybe? It depends on how they start fighting, and if it's one on one or what, but …." She trails off, and when Jinx looks away to think, she glowers at you, apparent awkwardness gone. You smile and nod.
"From what I saw, he's not a very technical fighter; he knows what's worked in the past, and he's a good fighter, but self-taught and not trained. At least, not that I could tell." Jinx nods thoughtfully, and you glance at Hatate. Time to go? She nods. "Anything else right now? If not, I think we'll find somewhere to sleep and see what the rest of the town is like tomorrow." Jinx nods absently, then looks up at you.
"Sleep? Ah, visit the Three Musty Fears. Come, I'll point out their door." He hops onto your shoulder and once you're out on the 'street' he points to a nondescript door near his dojo. "They really should put a sign up, but I suppose since everyone else already knows them, and newcomers would be shown around normally anyway, there's not much point. Anyway, they enjoy having guests. Sleep well." He bounces off your shoulder and bounds up the stairs to his dojo; you turn to Hatate and shrug before making your way to the directed door. No one answers your repeated knocks, but the door is unlocked, revealing a rather sparsely-furnished room, with a single large bed and a mushroom-like floor lamp.
"'Feel free to rest here. The Three Musty Fears.'" Hatate reads the note and shakes her head. "Feels like a prank, doesn't it?" You look around and nod, then lock the door.
"Like something fairies would set up, yeah. I'm not sure Jinx would direct us here just to mess with us, though, so it's probably fine." Hatate nods and sighs, stretching her wings as she looks around, and you chuckle. "Oh, it'll be fine. Come on, put your stuff down and let's get in." She pouts and slowly gets in after you. You pat the top of her head, grinning at her scowl, and motion for her to put her wing over you, then lay your own wing over hers. "There. Now just don't fall off." She sticks her tongue out, looks surprised at being almost close enough to reach your nose, and almost jerks herself off the bed. You pat the top of her head again. "Go to sleep, Hatate."
***
You wake up and flex your fingers. Food. Food is in your bag, but before you can get into your bag, you have to wake up Hatate. Aw, she looks cute, all defenseless like that. Then you realize that you can see her perfectly, unlike last night, and you twist your neck around to stare at the now-lit mushroom lamp. You stare at it for half a second, then burst from the bed to your bag, ignoring Hatate's squawk of terror. By the time she's fully awake and stomping toward you, you've determined that nothing is missing from your things. "Check your stuff, make sure nothing's missing." The door is still locked, but that's an easy enough thing; anyone able to get in would have been able to lock the door behind them when they left. Hatate doesn't argue, but after a quick check shrugs; nothing missing. Maybe it's a false alarm? Maybe the lamps here just do that? You frown at the lamp sitting unobtrusively in the corner. If you talk to it, will it answer? Can you talk to it without Hatate thinking you're crazy?
You rub your eyes and shake your head. Whatever. Nothing is immediately crisising at you, so you take out a decent chunk of your remaining supplies. Wordlessly, Hatate follows along, and once you're finished eating you sigh. Right. Now you can think.
What do you do?
[ ] Pretend nothing happened. See what else is in Monstro Town.
[ ] Go see Monstermama and ask her about the lamp and the Three Musty Fears.
[ ] Make sure Jinx didn't actually prank you somehow.
[ ] Other?
- Location
- Internet
[X] Pretend nothing happened. See what else is in Monstro Town.
Nottheunmaker
Altman be praised
- Location
- USG Ishimura
[X] Go see Monstermama and ask her about the lamp and the Three Musty Fears.
Anything that can sneak around a tengu is worth learning about.
Anything that can sneak around a tengu is worth learning about.
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
EDIT: Votes are locked. Update will be posted once my laptop stops having a seizure.
Last edited:
Monstro Town II
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Pretend nothing happened. See what else is in Monstro Town.
"Is something wrong?" Hatate watches you cautiously, and after several seconds you sigh and shake your head. The lamp being on is probably normal, and nothing is missing – your bag doesn't even look like it's been one through.
"Just a … weird feeling. Nothing to worry about," you say with a smile, and after a moment Hatate gives a relieved sigh of her own.
"Too late for that. I'm not worried anymore, but you had me scared pretty good!" You chuckle and shake your head again, then stretch. It's time for another day of journalism!
Your first stop is the knobless, hingeless door. It doesn't push open, nor can you pull it, but if you press your ear against it and listen, you can hear … something. A mystery, but perhaps one not worth investigating at the moment. You glance at Hatate, and she shrugs. Two against, none for. You set your sights on the item shop.
"Oh, hello! You must be the visitors. Jagger mentioned you." You look at the bare counter for a moment, and the speaker chuckles. "Oh, right. Just a second …." To your surprise, a goomba jumps onto the counter and winks at you. "Hello! Welcome to my shop … or are you here to ask questions?" You smile back and incline your head. It's not like you don't have any money, after all.
"Well, we are here to ask questions, but I suppose seeing what you have wouldn't be bad." The goomba 'nods,' folding its head just above its mouth, and you resist the urge to ask it do that again while you take pictures.
"Of course, of course. Before you start asking, though, I should introduce myself. I was the leader of Bowser's goombas. After that first attack, though … I was too scared to fight against Smithy. He's … well, he's too strong. So I ran away from the Koopa Troop, and some things happened, and – well, here I am now. Proprietor of an item shop and doting mother. Speaking of …." She turns away as something scratches and scampers into the room – there must be a small door or tunnel on the other side somewhere. A rolling brown ball skids into the room and breaks apart into three tiny goombas that shake off their dizziness quickly.
"Mama! Mama!" Two of them hop onto the counter, but the third, perhaps not as recovered as it had thought, bounces toward you and Hatate instead. "Mama! Ma-?" The goomba clears her throat, and the little goomba turns toward her. "Mama!" You glance at Hatate, and she's doing an admirable job of concealing her desire to take pictures. Maybe the goomba won't even notice how tightly she's clenching her hands together.
"Yes, yes. I'm here. But I also have a customer, so please be quiet for now." The little goombas line up and nod, planting themselves like the tiny mushrooms they resemble. Thank goodness you've already eaten.
"So how are you finding Monstro Town so far? Do you think you'll stay here?" The goomba nods.
"Oh, yes. Don't misunderstand me, I'm still loyal to Bowser. But here it's … peaceful. Nice, even – and I don't have to worry about Mario stomping on my head as he fights his way through the castle to rescue the princess for the … however-many-times it's been. Get paid more, but I actually have to spend it on more than just luxuries, so it's sort of balanced. And of course the triplets have more options here than they would in the Koopa Kingdom. Still, I hope I can meet Bowser again some day, to explain things and let him meet the little ones." She seems lost in melancholic thought for a moment, then shakes herself – an interesting sight – and smiles toothily at you before explaining her wares. Most of them you're already familiar with from the Mushroom Kingdom: a variety of potent reinvigorating mushrooms, syrups, and juices. She also has some bits of armor she's working on as a side project, spike-studded shells and shields. Perhaps fortunately, they're designed for creatures with quite different body types than humanoid, and you respectfully decline her offer to make you something custom. She and the triplets bow as you leave, and you make sure you don't laugh when one of the triplets falls over.
"... Aya, I'm hungry again. Why do they have to look so delicious?" You eye your companion for a moment, wondering if she's just playing a trick on you, then sigh and pat her head. By now, the other denizens of Monstro Town are starting to be out and about, and you and Hatate spend some time observing them and taking pictures. Enormous ants, courteous gorillas, more of those little fellows in red with masks, blue and brown wolves – you wave hello to Cheddar when you see her – rats, even a caterpillar that eyes you suspiciously when you ask it for an interview. Some others are like that, too, but most spare a minute or two to answer some simple questions. Their stories are quite similar: they've been here some amount of time, are generally happy – or at least don't miss their original homes enough to make them want to leave – and most were actually scouted and guided to Monstro Town. Those who found it on their own seem to be in the minority. After a couple hours of watching, taking pictures, and interviewing, you and Hatate fly to a small ledge near the sealed door.
"Well, what do you think?" Hatate taps her lips in response to your question, then shrugs.
"It's nice, I guess? Good location, although I'd prefer an ocean view – you can just barely smell it when the wind is right." She looks westward longingly, then sighs and shakes her head. "Kind of feels … weird here, though. Don't know what it is." You nod and wave your hand at the citizens.
"It's them. A lot of them want to be here, want to be safe and peaceful and happy and so on. But there's something missing – an itch that wants to be scratched, or a wrinkle in a sock you're wearing. Because everyone here knows that the others here are just like them and want to stay here, happy and peaceful … but they worry that someone doesn't. Is it one of the wolves? The gorillas? Maybe it's that former member of the Koopa Troop." Hatate frowns and shakes her head.
"No, that – that's too pessimistic, Aya." You watch the citizens making their way down the 'street' and to one work site or another.
"Maybe. But that's how humans get, whenever you get a group of them together, if they have different ideologies. And I don't think it's wrong to be using them as a baseline, particularly for what is clearly a first-time experiment." Hatate still doesn't look happy, but she doesn't contradict you again. And it would be nice to be wrong … you just don't think you are.
What do you do?
[ ] Go see the place in the clouds Monstermama mentioned.
[ ] Other?
"Is something wrong?" Hatate watches you cautiously, and after several seconds you sigh and shake your head. The lamp being on is probably normal, and nothing is missing – your bag doesn't even look like it's been one through.
"Just a … weird feeling. Nothing to worry about," you say with a smile, and after a moment Hatate gives a relieved sigh of her own.
"Too late for that. I'm not worried anymore, but you had me scared pretty good!" You chuckle and shake your head again, then stretch. It's time for another day of journalism!
Your first stop is the knobless, hingeless door. It doesn't push open, nor can you pull it, but if you press your ear against it and listen, you can hear … something. A mystery, but perhaps one not worth investigating at the moment. You glance at Hatate, and she shrugs. Two against, none for. You set your sights on the item shop.
"Oh, hello! You must be the visitors. Jagger mentioned you." You look at the bare counter for a moment, and the speaker chuckles. "Oh, right. Just a second …." To your surprise, a goomba jumps onto the counter and winks at you. "Hello! Welcome to my shop … or are you here to ask questions?" You smile back and incline your head. It's not like you don't have any money, after all.
"Well, we are here to ask questions, but I suppose seeing what you have wouldn't be bad." The goomba 'nods,' folding its head just above its mouth, and you resist the urge to ask it do that again while you take pictures.
"Of course, of course. Before you start asking, though, I should introduce myself. I was the leader of Bowser's goombas. After that first attack, though … I was too scared to fight against Smithy. He's … well, he's too strong. So I ran away from the Koopa Troop, and some things happened, and – well, here I am now. Proprietor of an item shop and doting mother. Speaking of …." She turns away as something scratches and scampers into the room – there must be a small door or tunnel on the other side somewhere. A rolling brown ball skids into the room and breaks apart into three tiny goombas that shake off their dizziness quickly.
"Mama! Mama!" Two of them hop onto the counter, but the third, perhaps not as recovered as it had thought, bounces toward you and Hatate instead. "Mama! Ma-?" The goomba clears her throat, and the little goomba turns toward her. "Mama!" You glance at Hatate, and she's doing an admirable job of concealing her desire to take pictures. Maybe the goomba won't even notice how tightly she's clenching her hands together.
"Yes, yes. I'm here. But I also have a customer, so please be quiet for now." The little goombas line up and nod, planting themselves like the tiny mushrooms they resemble. Thank goodness you've already eaten.
"So how are you finding Monstro Town so far? Do you think you'll stay here?" The goomba nods.
"Oh, yes. Don't misunderstand me, I'm still loyal to Bowser. But here it's … peaceful. Nice, even – and I don't have to worry about Mario stomping on my head as he fights his way through the castle to rescue the princess for the … however-many-times it's been. Get paid more, but I actually have to spend it on more than just luxuries, so it's sort of balanced. And of course the triplets have more options here than they would in the Koopa Kingdom. Still, I hope I can meet Bowser again some day, to explain things and let him meet the little ones." She seems lost in melancholic thought for a moment, then shakes herself – an interesting sight – and smiles toothily at you before explaining her wares. Most of them you're already familiar with from the Mushroom Kingdom: a variety of potent reinvigorating mushrooms, syrups, and juices. She also has some bits of armor she's working on as a side project, spike-studded shells and shields. Perhaps fortunately, they're designed for creatures with quite different body types than humanoid, and you respectfully decline her offer to make you something custom. She and the triplets bow as you leave, and you make sure you don't laugh when one of the triplets falls over.
"... Aya, I'm hungry again. Why do they have to look so delicious?" You eye your companion for a moment, wondering if she's just playing a trick on you, then sigh and pat her head. By now, the other denizens of Monstro Town are starting to be out and about, and you and Hatate spend some time observing them and taking pictures. Enormous ants, courteous gorillas, more of those little fellows in red with masks, blue and brown wolves – you wave hello to Cheddar when you see her – rats, even a caterpillar that eyes you suspiciously when you ask it for an interview. Some others are like that, too, but most spare a minute or two to answer some simple questions. Their stories are quite similar: they've been here some amount of time, are generally happy – or at least don't miss their original homes enough to make them want to leave – and most were actually scouted and guided to Monstro Town. Those who found it on their own seem to be in the minority. After a couple hours of watching, taking pictures, and interviewing, you and Hatate fly to a small ledge near the sealed door.
"Well, what do you think?" Hatate taps her lips in response to your question, then shrugs.
"It's nice, I guess? Good location, although I'd prefer an ocean view – you can just barely smell it when the wind is right." She looks westward longingly, then sighs and shakes her head. "Kind of feels … weird here, though. Don't know what it is." You nod and wave your hand at the citizens.
"It's them. A lot of them want to be here, want to be safe and peaceful and happy and so on. But there's something missing – an itch that wants to be scratched, or a wrinkle in a sock you're wearing. Because everyone here knows that the others here are just like them and want to stay here, happy and peaceful … but they worry that someone doesn't. Is it one of the wolves? The gorillas? Maybe it's that former member of the Koopa Troop." Hatate frowns and shakes her head.
"No, that – that's too pessimistic, Aya." You watch the citizens making their way down the 'street' and to one work site or another.
"Maybe. But that's how humans get, whenever you get a group of them together, if they have different ideologies. And I don't think it's wrong to be using them as a baseline, particularly for what is clearly a first-time experiment." Hatate still doesn't look happy, but she doesn't contradict you again. And it would be nice to be wrong … you just don't think you are.
What do you do?
[ ] Go see the place in the clouds Monstermama mentioned.
[ ] Other?
- Location
- Internet
[X] Go see the place in the clouds Monstermama mentioned.
Nottheunmaker
Altman be praised
- Location
- USG Ishimura
[X] Go see Monstermama and ask her about the lamp and the Three Musty Fears.