Firstly the usual apologies. This time I've actually been sober, but exams are coming up and that means a metric fuckton of additional work.
>>19827 Well, yes I though this was common knowledge already. It comes with the job, you know.
>>19831 I've tried it in the past, but it didn't work out. The poems are great, but everything else becomes shit.
>>19833 Honestly? At this point I feel as if I'd only need to emigrate to Nippon and get a silly hat.
>>19869 Good to have you back.
---
[ ] Marisa's suggestion would be best.
- [ ] Visit this village she spoke of.
"Wise are the uttered words, guiding song-smith's path." You answer, your course now set by forest witch's cunning advice. "Truly Hugin's match she is, black-white raven cawing sage-secrets in this tale-weaver's ear."
"Heh, guess I'll hafta forgive you again since you're such a smooth talker -ze." Marisa replies, her grin not fading for even a moment. "An' besides we hafta get going, don't we?"
"Before we leave, we have a few things to do." Alice calmly comments, speaking words that seem to curb Marisa's enthusiasm slightly.
"Oh right, the old dude. Forgot about him.-ze" The forest witch replies while scratching the side of her head, the tone of her voice slightly sheepish. "Guess I'll go tell him before we leave."
"That too." The dollmaker replies, an enigmatic smile coming over her lips. "But first we have to do something about our Viking here."
"Wonder, this song-smith must, what they would do with him, wildwood's wicked witches?" You ask aloud, earning you twin, wily looks from the sorceresses in question.
"We must make you presentable, of course." Alice answers in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Some people in Gensokyo pay no heed to their public image," She continues, earning her an annoyed look from the forest witch. "But you should strive to make a good first impression when we visit the village. It would not do for the locals to think you are below your station."
There is wisdom in her words, for clothed and fed should a man ride to court, though his horse be not the finest and no rings of red gold shine on his arm. But still, seldom is there harm for the noble hero to bring gleaming gold and strong men with him.
"Aye, thoughts of men are often swayed by sights of glory." You reply, answering her wisdom with assent. "For no noble man, lord of thane, should be seen without splendor, for by such a way are men's tongues turned foul with scorn and rumour."
"Wonderful." Alice answers you, a mischievious smile on her lips. "Then let's get you out of those old clothes."
---
While the forest witch goes to fetch the old master, Alice leads you into another workshop of hers, this one obviously devoted to the tailor's art. Clothes and cloth alike do you see, garments large and small in various stages of completion. The spell-skilled seamstress walks over to a cabinet next to a great oaken table, one she apparently uses as a workbench of some sort.
"I made these yesterday while you slept." Dear Alice tells you as she opens the cabinet. "I tried to make them like your old clothes, but I'm afraid that they are not exactly the same."
From there she fetches a blue tunic with silver-shining buttons as well as a pair of plain black britches and lays them out on the table, then motions for you to approach.
Upon closer inspection the clothes are fine, though quite plain, yet you can see that the skill that has gone into crafting them would shame even the most skilled of your homeland's seamstresses. Again you must suspect that some sort of sorcery has gone into crafting these garments, so fine is the needlework.
"I didn't have the time to do any embroidery, but I think they will look good on you nonetheless." Alice comments, her pride evident from her voice. And pride well-founded do you deem it.
"A great gift, one that I graciously accept." You answer her, a feeling of gratitude strong like few you have experienced now taking hold of your heart. "For gifts of moon-pale silver or Aegir's fire all lords can give, but rare is the ring-giver whose hand can grant gifts of skill and subtlety, ones shaped by own hand."
"It's kind of you, but there's no need to praise me Sigurd." Your dear dollmaker answers, though with a pleased smile. "I find needlework to be relaxing. In fact, I'd be happy to make you an entire wardrobe."
"But first I shall leave to your privacy, so you try these and tell me what you think." She continues, then turns away from you and goes back to looking though her closet.
You answer her with a nod and start removing your old shirt and britches, eager to test these fine gifts. Swiftly do you change into your new outfit, noting that the britches are very soft and comfortable, though they look quite sturdy. The tunic is comfortable as well and just the right size as you button it up and fasten your belt around your waist. You experimentally lift your arms and roll your shoulders slightly, testing if this garment will restrict your movement, and to your satisfaction you find it does not hinder you at all.
After this you walk over to your dear dollmaker who turns to face you, inspecting you with a critical eye. She tugs slightly at your sleeves and makes you lift your arms, carefully checking that the tunic truly fits everywhere.
"It fits well enough not to ruin my reputation." She concludes, a satisfied look on her face. "And you do look good in it." She adds with a small, playful smile.
"Well is it made," You declare in assent, "And in truth this one a gift as grand as any this warrior has been given."
"Well, there is another surprise I have for you." Alice reveals, smiling enigmatically. She then leads you to another cabinet, this one tall, broad and thin. She opens the doors, and the sight of what lies within truly is one that steals your breath away.
"You didn't think I'd forget a promise?" Your dear dollmaker teasingly asks as she presents you with a magnificent cloak, one obviously made out of the pelt of the great beast you laid low three days ago.
"Munin's match, many-skilled she is, this raven who won song-smith's heart." You muse as you inspect the heavy garment, for you did request this of her, this you remember, but other matters had pushed it away from your mind until now. She has worked the pelt of the great bear expertly, again showing a skill that borders on the sorcerous, aye, one that must be of magic, for how else could she have finished the cloak so swiftly?
"What is it with you and ravens?" Alice wonders aloud, the expression on her fair features both amused and curious.
"Noblest of birds, Odin's servants." You absentmindedly reply as you draw the cloak over your left shoulder and fasten the heavy metal clasp. Then, reverently, you draw forth the great ring of gold, Trickster's gift, and fasten it around your right arm. Strangely enough, it fits perfectly as well, the solid weight of the gold your only reminder of this treasure that has been entrusted to you.
---
Finally the two of you return back downstairs. Waiting is your trusty blade, that shining sun-shard do you now take up. You sense that it is eager, savoring the prospect of great deeds that lie before you, a feeling you find yourself sharing as you strap the great blade to your back.
"Are your expecting a fight?" Alice wonders, voice slightly curious, though mostly amused.
"Let a man never stir on his road a step
without his weapons of war;
for unsure is the knowing when need shall arise
of a spear on the way without."
The staves of the High One's song answer her, the words leaping to life from memory. With a confident smile you speak them to all who would hear. To this Alice has no comment other than a small nod and another smile.
Sun-rays glitter upon gold as you confidently stride out of the hall of the dollmaker. Marisa whistles as she sees you, grinning widely at your apprearence, and old master Youki is here as well, raising en eyebrow slightly as he sees you.
"Well well, lookatim. Looks like doll girl is good at somethin' besides making toys -ze." The black-white witch comments, yet above the talents of the forest witch is to hide that she is truly impressed with the sight. Alice merely smiles back as the beaming witch, sighing softly at her friend's excitement.
"So let's go, let's go -ze!" The forest witch continues, sweeping out her broom towards the forest, as if brandishing a sceptre.
---
As the four of you soar up above the treetops you find yourself relegated to the rearguard. Perhaps it is because of claims of greater experience in spotting threats as your dollmaker claims, or maybe because the brilliant shine of S?largeisli casting cascades of light behind you, which the black-white witch deemed to be annoying enough the refuse the honour of the rearguard. Thus the two magicians soar slightly ahead of you, while the old master flies at your side.
"It was wise of you to speak with the Moriya Miko." Old Youki comments after a minute or two of travel. "And also to take her letter."
"How so, old one?" You wonder, your curiosity piqued by this sudden praise.
"For all who seek to keep the balance, knowledge is the Way." Youki replies, meeting your gaze.
His words are familiar, aye, for it was only this morning that the old master told you of the balance, and of why it must be kept. Well then, you now see, that this message would be kept from Loki's hands for now, for would not this alliance carry the risk of greater conflict, and have you not sworn to cause no such thing of your own will?
"Aye," You reply, your new understanding bringing confidence to your voice, "For seldom do lords and kings who seek power and glory forge their pacts, unless there is war is to be waged. Ill would this be for this realm's balance."
"This is true." The old master replies, a hint of sadness entering his voice, "Unfortunately the Lady Yasaka has always been one to seek greater power, to rise above all as does the sky she rules. It would be better if she would not meet your Loki."
"Should then this message be destroyed?" You ask of the old master, "And would then this meeting be prevented? Would she not send another messenger, or strive to seek out Laufey's son herself?"
"Correct again, young Sigurd." Youki replies, a satisfied smile on his lips. "The Way is not to chase the impossible, but to choose the best path that can be taken. You should judge carefully when to present this message to the O-Asura-dono."
Apparently satisfied with this conversation, the old master again falls silent, leaving you to ponder upon what you should do with the scroll tucked into your pocket.
---
The rest of the journey to the village is uneventful. Sometimes you think you can feel something watching you, but no hidden foeman or secret spell assaults you. After s short walk upon the whispering winds the four of you land on a dirt road
"See, most of the humans in the village can't fly, so they're probly jealous or somethin', an' the village guard get all huffy if you just zoom in as well." Marisa explains, visibly annoyed. "So we hafta walk an' be lame -ze."
Truth she speaks, for you can see some other travelers upon the road, one or two landing upon it, but all of them marching the final stretch towards the village gates visible in the distance. A stockade surrounds the perimeter of the village, outlying farms scattered about the countryside.
If you could disregard the strange architecture and odd fields it perhaps would seem like your own, long-gone homeland. And yet, as this village certainly is not like your homeland, a warrior such as yourself will surely stand out in a crowd. Perhaps then it would be wise to make the most of your strange appearence and try to truly impress the crowds? Or perhaps it would be possible to blend in, for this is a realm strange and sorcerous. Maybe you could pass of as a regular traveler, for to the heedful come seldom harm.
[ ] Cautious and silent let the wary stranger enter a dwelling. Try to pass off as a regular traveler.
[ ] Not for heroes is silence and invisibility. March into the village as if you did own it.
